March 16, 2003

Hi Guys,

     Ruby and I were talking about Ms. Rhoten and the fact that this month she will be 98 years old. She is in good health and has been living in Ace Texas for the past 40 years. Ace is about 50 miles north of Houston.

     She has many memories of her time at Sequoyah (30 years)and loves to tell of her time working with Bill Ames in the Sequoyah Weaving shop. She tells about the trips she and Portia Vaughn made to New York City to see the sights, back when they were a couple of young teachers.

     When the weaving shop closed, Jack Brown asked her to stay on and take over the Physical Education department. She tells of teaching the girls tumbling and going on field trips and how things were back in the early days of Sequoyah when it was known as Sequoyah Training School.

     We visited her in October and will try to see her again before the Annual Reunion this May. She is still very interested in her Sequoyah students and loves to hear from them.

     If you would like to send her a Birthday greeting, please write clearly and not too small as she has a little difficulty with small print. She has a very good memory but please give her more than just your name, remember she had 30 years of students and you only had a couple of dozen teachers and I'll bet you have trouble remembering all of them. Anyway, if you would like to send a card, her address is:

Hazel Rhoten
PO Box 364
Ace Tx 77326

Thanks,

Charles Cochran
Class of 1960

March 25, 2003

Hi Guys, 

     Ruby and I went to Oklahoma City for the basket ball play-offs. We had to get up at 4 O'clock in the morning, then drive for 5 hours in order to get there for the 11:30 AM tip-off. It was worth the loss of sleep to be able to see the Sequoyah Indians in the State Tournament.

     Of course we weren't the only ones there; there were several hundred fans wearing Maroon and Gray. We made our way through the crowd looking for familiar faces and had short visits with as many alumni as we could locate. After a game that the Indians took charge of early, a win that qualified Sequoyah for the State Final game on Saturday, we had to go to the room for a nap; then spent Friday evening visiting with Mary Brackett until well after midnight.

     Up early on Saturday morning; had to get to the State Fair Arena to greet early arriving alumni. We knew that there would be an even larger number for the Championship game on the weekend.

     We weren't disappointed, students and fans were everywhere; talking excitedly with anticipation of the game. We got into the spirit of the day and had quick conversations with as many folks as we could. Shook a lot of hands and got a few commitments to meet again at the Annual Reunion in May. Met 3 or 4 that we hadn't seen since we left Sequoyah.

     I had this bright idea: "I'll bet a lot of these folks will remember Ms. Rhoten and would like to send a greeting for her 98 birthday." I bought a program to collect autographs and sure enough, I found several right away that wanted to sign. Several expressed surprise that she was still with us. Anyway, I roamed the crowd looking for folks my age or older; I made a few wrong guesses but I found several whose name I remembered but haven't seen at a reunion. I didn't mean to pick on old folks but it has been 40 years since Hazel retired from Sequoyah and that means AARP age and up.

     Some of those who signed my program for Ms. Rhoten: Amon Baker, Chuck Deerinwater, Ruby Shell, Elliot Pulliam, Etta Mae Jimboy, EDwin Jimboy, Cecil & Eva Shipp, Gaydon Shipp, Rudell Shipp, Harris Culley, LulaBelle Nuttal, Nancy, Bonnie, Hellen Wacoche, Sidney Whitecrow,Jimmy Thompson, Don Morgan, Louis McGertt, Regina McLemore and a few others I can't remember now.

     The game started and we got down to cheering for Old Sequoyah High. Boy, it was great to see the Indians play so well. I was impressed by the ball handling, the quick defense and the clutch shooting. The game was exciting and to one who played when we didn't have a lot of success, I had to remind myself that it was OUR SEQUOYAH that was playing in the State Championship game.

     In the last few minutes of the game, when the end was no longer in doubt, I got a little misty eyed thinking almost out loud, "Sequoyah High School, State Champions!". Damn that felt great.

     I'm sorry everyone couldn't be there but if you read the news stories of the game accounts posted on the Cochran's Homepage, you'll get a feel for how the playoffs went and you too can say with pride, "Sequoyah High School, State Champions".

     We got a phone call from Ms. Rhoten last night; she received the game program and called to say and that she really appreciated the many birthday greetings and she remembered most of the names.

     She also mentioned that she had received cards from several alumni wishing her a "Happy Birthday". If you had meant to send one and had forgotten, it isn't too late, when you're 98, everyday is a celebration. If you would, take a moment and include a personal message; she really does love to hear from former students. Again, write clearly and a little larger than normal so she can read your message.

     If you would like to call her, she has a little trouble hearing on the telephone, so speak clearly and maybe a little louder than normal. The phone is her sister's, so you'll have to ask for Hazel.

Hazel Rhoten
PO Box 364
Ace Tx 77326
Phn: 936-685-7366

     Don't forget, the Sequoyah Alumni Annual Reunion is less than 6 weeks away, start making your plans to attend or if you are unable to make it to Tahlequah, contact some of your schoolmates and renew old friendships.

Keep in touch,
Charles Cochran Class of 1960