vYANKTON COLLEGE continued from page 15 sweet man who gave her the desire to play in his summer band, Stan Rishoi’s instruction in voice and George Whaley, who’s encouragement of her to write a senior thesis on bluegrass music initiated a trip for her to Nashville, TN. She reflects upon interviewing a collection of fascinating and talented people during her time as a senior: Vassar Clements, Mac Wiseman, Earl Scruggs, Jim & Jesse Reynolds, J.T. Gray and Wilma Lee Cooper just to name a few. She excitedly recalls even being invited to John Hartford’s wedding party. Joan (Bunnell) Neubauer, though not born in Yankton, is the only Yankton native that I spoke with. Sounds contradicting, I’m sure, but Neubauer explains that she was born in a Californian roadside motel as her parents raced home to Nebraska because of her quickly impending birth. She attended schools in Yankton from kindergarten to her college graduation, enjoying school and loving the community where she has always resided. She knew that attending college would require her to obtain good grades to earn scholarships and to continue to work as she attended classes and studied. She recalls, “It was a pretty heavy burden for a girl who was lucky to break 100# on a scale!” She signed up for summer school classes right after high school graduation to get a start on earning college credits. Though she aspired for a career as a concert pianist, she realized the dream’s unlikeliness when she heard the level at which the musicians were playing upon her first visit to the Conservatory of Music. She focused her education in public speaking, debate, speech rehabilitation and teacher training. Though she originally feared failure in her heavy class schedule, she appreciates the lesson she received in personal growth. She reflects, “That (fear of failure) was, actually, a good thing; most of our young men were being drafted or volunteering for what became known as the Korean Conflict and the girls just had to step into their places and show extreme leadership.” The entrance into the college life brought about many feelings, from Neubauer’s apprehension of carrying a substantial course load to Lehrman’s fearless embracement of the new venture, looking forward to a new challenge. Schiferl was anxious about coming to a new college as a junior and Gross, though worried about not doing well in classes, approached the journey as a big adventure. The ladies recall an assortment of friendships gained from their college days. Lehrman is still in touch with many friends she made while at YC, many of them meeting together at least annually for rotating reunions or vacations and appreciates Facebook for giving her the ability to stay in contact with those that don’t live nearby. Gross met some wonderful girls from different areas of the United States and mentions Pam Chabriel from Buffalo, NY; Jan Knudsen Larson from rural South Dakota, Peggy Allen Thompson from Yankton, and Marian Danforth White from Los Angeles, CA. The graduates retain a plethora of memories from their college days. Gross recalls that her most memorable moment is when she met her husband of 48 years, David Danforth Gross, and adds, “Now that has been an adventure!” She is still in contact with many of the men and women she met. She enjoys attending the YC annual reunions and has served on the Board of Trustees and Alumni Advisory Board for nearly 20 years. She feels that this allows her to meet other college alumni and maintain lasting friendships with classmates. She comments, “It is amazing to me that a college that closed in 1984 still has such a vital impact on the lives of so many. I never in my wildest dreams thought when I went to Yankton College that I would meet and marry a “Yankee” and live in the United States - now that is what I call a lifetime impact!” 16vHERVOICEvJULY/AUGUST 2018 Lehrman enjoyed the student diversity, supportive students and knowing nearly everyone on campus. She was able to participate in her favorite activities: orchestra, softball and assisted as a line judge and score keeper in other sports. She was VicePresident of Kingsbury and a Resident Assistant and recalls the delicious, readily accessible homemade cookies provided by Mrs. Jackson (Mrs. J.). She loved attending the theater shows and athletic events. One of her favorite pastimes was playing matchbook basketball with ring stands in the Organic Chemistry Lab. She has a slew of memories including the “Old Hacketts,” Barry’s Disco, panty raids, jock raids, chasing escapee attic bats around Kingsbury. She smiles as she reminisces in the memories. Oh, college days! Powder puff football, softball, winning the intramural basketball championship, graduation and obtaining a 12- month internship for Medical Technology at Sacred Heart Hospital are in the top ten of her college memories. Neubauer comments that she was part of the “Town Girls” group, those that lived with parents or siblings rather than in the dormitories. Though she was a little jealous of the camaraderie that the dormitory girls had, she is thankful that she is still in touch with and enjoys seeing her group of “town girls.” She enjoyed the debate trips in vYANKTON COLLEGE continued on page 17