Innovation in the Face of Adversity

The Last Word

INNOVATION IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

—John Mitchell, Former Head of School

Banding together to overcome obstacles. These are things that can define a family, a school, a community. For this special “Home” issue of Prairie, we take a look back to 1975, the year of the fire, the year Prairie had to decide, “Are we going to band together to overcome this obstacle?’” The following letter appeared in the 1975 Et Cetera yearbook.

No matter how hard we will all try to think otherwise, the Tenth Anniversary Year at Prairie will always be remembered as “The Year of the Fire.”

We had planned well for this anniversary of the founding of the school. September of 1974 found us with a record enrollment in all levels, as well as minor campus issues. You had given assistance to faculty in determining, for instance, the ways and means of diminishing operating expenses to help live within a reasonable budget as well as in other issues that demonstrated your genuine concern.

The choice of courses at Prairie was broader than ever before and freedom mingled well with responsibility. Interim attained a high degree of sophistication and college placement moved more smoothly and successfully than ever before.

The Fund Drive had brought in more resources than at any time in the history of the school from parents, alumni, and friends at Prairie. A well-spaced list of Tenth Anniversary Events was published and organized – again with student involvement. All was well.

While the devastating flames roared through our school on the night of January 17, 1975, several of you tearfully confessed to me that you felt that this was the end of Prairie – the school you had learned to love during your years here. I can tell you now that I never had any doubts as to the continuing spirit of Prairie students and families but I will always confess that I had no idea the degree of cooperation and bonding together we would enjoy to satisfy a common cause that would result from the fire.

If there had ever been any doubt in the minds of our larger community in Racine as to the ability of Prairie students to jump in to fight for a common cause, that doubt was dispelled on the night of January 17th and in the days which followed. I could not have been prouder of your efforts and your attitudes. You will always be pleased that you suffered through those hours on the 17th and the inconveniences which followed.

Glen Kinkeade, graduate of Milton Academy and Radcliffe College, wrote in the Harvard Bulletin of December 1974: Question – Can independent schools survive the 70s? Answer – only by rocking their own boats.

We feel that Prairie School had done a good job of continually rocking its own boat in order to stay alive, vibrant and relevant over the years. Whereas boat rocking over the years has shown us that you and your parents have made, quite simply, an investment of time and money in personal growth, mental training, and the extension of future options at a time when college graduates face an inhospitable job market, the fire of January 17, 1975 – the event which marked your senior year at Prairie – has really proven to us all that you and your parents chose wisely.

4050 Lighthouse Drive Wind Point, WI 53402

DISCLAIMER:

As always, we appreciate hearing from you and welcome your input, contributions, comments and suggestions. Information in this publication is presented in good faith.

Please email the school or send your feedback to us at bobrien@prairieschool.com.