Steindorf hero to class of 1989
To the Editor:
For an incoming freshman at Goldendale High School in the early to mid 1980s, there was nothing more intimidating than knowing English I, with Mr. Steindorf, was a required class. The very word "Steindorf" inspired the kind of fear and loathing in freshmen that the word "IRS" inspires in adults, with the difference being that one is not required to be audited to be an adult. Mr. Steindorf lived up to his reputation.
If a student failed to dot an "i" or cross a "t," he would say, "I can't tell what that word is, and if I can't read the word, I can't understand the sentence, and if I can't understand the sentence, you failed to provide a correct answer." He would constantly remind the class that "alot" is not a word.
Bibliographies had to be perfect, and margins were actually measured with a ruler. (Bear in mind, this was back in the days before word processors.) Punctuation, spelling and grammar were scrutinized mercilessly. If he saw a student talking during lecture, he would casually put a small circle by his name in the grade book, and each circle counted against a student's final grade. He expected perfection, and he never accepted our excuses and pleas for mercy.
On the last day of one quarter, I had a 90.2%, which was an A. He mentioned to me at the beginning of class that he would be watching me closely to try to catch me talking twice so that I would drop to an 89.8%, a B. (There were no A minuses or B plusses then).
Mr. Steindorf had the highest expectations of any teacher I have ever had, and his draconian rules (I learned that word in his vocabulary building class my junior year) cost me an A two times. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, he was without a doubt, the best teacher I have ever had. I learned more about English from Mr. Steindorf than in all of the years before him and since. The consensus among so many of my friends is that Mr. Steindorf got us through college, and what we learned from him has given us an advantage in our career pursuits, as well. So strong was Mr. Steindorf's influence on me that today, I cannot even send text messages without the proper punctuation.
I have kept in touch with many of my high school classmates. The Class of 1989 is having its 20 year reunion July 10-12, so I floated the idea of this letter to many of them and asked if anyone else felt the same way. I wish I could include the substance of their responses. They were as laudatory as they were sincere. The thrust of them was that while he was very tough, he was eminently fair, and he was incredibly hard-working. He expected the best, and he would not disrespect us or our educations by lowering his standards. It is my hope that in a small way, we can express to Mr. Steindorf the appreciation he has earned.
The following people from the Class of 1989 have requested to have their names added to this letter:
Angela (Barrett) Reynolds
Dr. Chad Scarola
Corina (Lanier) Carr
David Telford
John Martin
Kathleen (O'Leary) Wedgwood
Ken Thompson
Taryn Gerhardt
Thomas Bundy
Goldendale
Pool staff were wonderful
To the Editor:
Recently our son dove into the Goldendale Pool and hit his head. He was able to get out of the pool, but his brother ran to tell the lifeguards that Isaiah was experiencing severe neck and head pains. Immediately the lifeguards jumped into action, securing his neck and head with a backboard and securing his arms and legs so he didn't thrash around. Since we were in the community garden at the pool site, the pool staff informed us immediately, and an ambulance was called.
Lori Anderson, the Goldendale Pool Manager, came to the hospital to sit with my other three children while my husband and I consulted with the doctors at Klickitat Valley Hospital. She was so kind as to ensure that the children had snacks through our anxious moments.
Thankfully, after a thorough examination by the competent staff at KVH, we were lucky enough to realize our son had nothing more than a bump and a bit of a strain. It gave us the opportunity to warn Isaiah and his siblings about the importance of following directions and the potential for cataclysmic consequences.
We cannot thank the Goldendale Pool lifeguards enough for their quick, competent attention to a potentially life-threatening situation.
Ellen and Eugene Rowley
Goldendale
Fire response quick and effective
To the Editor:
On July 4 a fire broke out on the property next to my own on Oak Flat Road. The swift response of the Rural 7 firemen, and other firemen as well, stopped the fire, in tinder-dry conditions, before it crossed onto my property. I was astonished.
I offer my heartfelt gratitude to the firemen. The vast array of fire trucks and bulldozers reminded me of Gen. Colin Powell's Desert Storm strategy of overwhelming force (with equal success). Thank you, guys! You're great.
Sallie Skakel
Goldendale
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