Gone but not forgotten: NEVC student recreates the world of Pirates and Bears

Shannon Gray, 15, of Walker, Mo., gathered memorabilia for a special display in the "Never Ending Story" section of the Bushwhacker Museum in Nevada. The display commemorates the history of Walker and Schell City schools, prior to the reorganization that merged the two schools. Colette LeFebvre/ Herald-Tribune

Nevada Daily Mail

Nevada, Mo. -- Shannon Gray, a 15-year-old Northeast Vernon County High

School student, couldn't understand why neither the Bushwhacker Museum of Nevada nor the Vernon County History books included any information regarding Schell City High School. and Walker High School.

When she toured the Bushwhacker Museum last year with her 4-H group, she noticed that there was plenty of information about Nevada High School. Well, Walker and Schell City could be included as well, she thought, and set out to make just that happen.

So began Gray's 4-H leadership project.

To turn her idea into reality, she first turned to alumni associations from both schools and received much memorabilia from past students and their families.

"It just began to come in," said Gray. Pictures from the graduating class of 1919, flags from the senior classes of 1940 and 1937 from Schell City and Walker and other items were donated for use in the project.

"I put in about 30 hours at the museum and worked on the project for about a year and a half." said Gray.

Shannon has collected coats, trophies (some of her own) and "jumped in full force."

Shannon stated that this was a rewarding experience for her.

"Honestly, I learned where my roots came from and that the two schools got over their differences and became what we are today. I want to say thank you to my parent for helping." said Gray.

The banners, lost pictures, yearbooks, trophies and times past of the now united Northeast Vernon County high school are on display at the Bushwhacker museum, where they are finally noticed.

Gray's mother, Paula Gray, described Shannon's effort as one of a very determined young woman who completely immersed herself in this project. "She did most of it on her own. It is an awesome project. We are very proud of her she worked very hard," said Paula Gray.

The exhibit is on display in the Bushwhacker Museum in Nevada and will stay there until October, when the museum closes for the season. Then, said Gray, Northeastern Vernon County High School plans to place it at the high school.