Sinai, SD All School Reunion 7/1/2017

      Sinai High School, Sinai, SD., closed since 1961, was never very large. Of the 160 attendees at the reunion most did no graduate from the school.  The reunion has become a community event attracting spouses, others from the community who attended other schools and many who were too young to attend.  It's a time to return with the best chance of seeing others one has not seen for a long time.
   Our class of 1956 started out to be the largest in school with eleven students...Yes, eleven; which tells you how small it was.  After the first year one of our classmates transferred to Augustana Academy, Canton, SD.  Two others dropped out so we powered on with eight students.  Three of us were at the reunion.  Four are deceased; Roger Husby, John Reinhart, Wayne Risty and Glen Englesgaard.
   Three teachers taught all the subjects with a part time band instructor, usually from SD State College in Brookings.  Discipline was simplified becasue each teacher knew every student by name. Instruction was questionable...such schools do not attract the cream of the crop.  The superintendent/principal was also a teacher and, for three of my years, the basketball coach.
   The school in Sinai was open for 81 years.  There were 36 graduating classes and 302 graduates. The first class graduated in 1926 with 13 students and the last class graduated in 1961 with 8.  The elementary school continued longer. The district never consolidated so now 3 districts send buses to town to pick up students; Volga (known as Sioux Valley School), Arlington and Rutland.
   When I graduated in 1956 I enrolled at SD State College.   That was a shock!  From 30 students to 3,200 and some expectation that students would study!   It took awhile for me to adjust.
   Reunions are a source of fascination. Some who seemed destined for greatness peaked in high school.  Other's, who I'd judged as having modest prospects, did very well. Too many died prematurely.  At this age I increasingly value those with whom I share memory.  Much of what I grieve as family and friends die is the loss of those shared memories.

The entire school in the assembly hall with the teachers  1956-57.

The 2 storied building housed highs chool on 'garden level and elementary upstairs.  The WPA built gym has the rounded roof.