No, this isn't a picture of Mr. Skul, it's a picture of my high school sweetheart, taken by my high school English teacher, Robert Skul (pronounced like school) and there's a neat story to that.

 

Mr. Skul died last week at the age of 76.  He was like many good teachers I had, he was more than a just a teacher as he was involved with students in other ways, such as the advisor for the high school yearbook.  My sister was on the yearbook staff.

 

I had him as an English teacher during my sophomore year, and it was in that class I read Catcher In The Rye, which in the early 1970's still had some stigma attached to it. I was also turned on to the works of Jack London, to which I use the excuse as to why I like Winter camping. 

 

But it was more than books.  There were two student teachers during that time, and both were very good.  Looking back, I can tell you that the reason they were good was because of Mr. Skul.  He also taught a amateur movie film course where the project was to produce a short film.  I took the class my senior year and learned more than I thought I would.  I'm proud to say I earned an "A" on my project.

 

As to the picture of the day; Cindy Ashby (the high school sweethheart) went to Mr. Skul saying that the yearbook picture taken of her (by a professional photographer for the yearbook) didn't look like her and wanted to know if it could be retaken.  He got his camera out and shot this picture, no questions asked. 

 

Thank you, Mr. Skul