OUR TOWN
My good friend and mentor, Naomi Pasemann, would have been so proud to see the flock returning home last weekend for Taylor High School’s 73rd homecoming. Known as Naomi Hunka at the time, it was her class, the class of 1954, that started the first homecoming in the fall of ’53. She was also a cheerleader that year.
Not long before her passing, I sat down with Naomi in the Pasemann Elementary School library, turned on my video camera, and asked her to talk about a number of topics including Taylor’s first homecoming.
She described the first homecoming as wonderful: “We had a bonfire, we had a parade where we would wind our way from school to downtown and have a pep rally downtown.”
She said the idea of starting a homecoming event came from Student Council President, Albert Fritcher. Nancy Pfluger (Payne) was elected the first homecoming queen. Other nominees included Elaine Hammack, Mary Ann Carswell and Gladys Lenz.
There was no king until 1994 when Matt Maruska was named Taylor High’s first homecoming king.
The school newspaper, The Cotton Boll, reported that about 200 ex-students came home in 1953 as the school “staged its first homecoming in history.”
The oldest in attendance was Fred I. Fisher from the Class of 1898.
Activities included a “super-colossal” bonfire followed by a “shirttail” parade that was expected to “stop all downtown traffic temporarily.” Following the game, a “big” dance was held in the gym until 1 a.m.
During the morning of homecoming, students “yelled their heads off” between classes, getting fired up for the big game against Georgetown.
Cheerleaders from the past led the crowd in cheers.
Speakers included representatives from the classes of 1923, 1926 and 1943 as well as coaches Baldwin, Sherley, Thames and Coon, former coaches T. H. Johnson and Dan Hannan, Taylor Mayor R. E. Kollman, Principal E. G. Osborne and cocaptains of the football squad Bobby Townsend and Tommy Buzan. All of these are traditions that continue today.
The school song was only 11 years old at the time, so most of the returning grads were not able to sing along.
The high school held an open house, and the country club proved to be a popular spot for returning classes to hold reunions.
The Class of 1923 was singled out as the honor class for the event in celebration of their 30th year since graduating from the three-story building that had been located one block over on Eighth Street. This was the last class to graduate from the old building before the new school, now known as Old Taylor High, opened on Seventh Street.
Naomi said their English teacher, Miss Ruth Mantor, was a member of the Class of 1923.
“Their motto was, ‘Not on top, but climbing,’” she said. “So my class chose as its motto, ‘Not on top, but climbing.’ We figured if it was good enough for Miss Mantor, it ought to be good enough for us.”
The Class of 1923 also included Elmore Torn Sr., father of Emmy Awardwinning actor and 1948 Taylor High graduate Rip Torn. I think it’s interesting the seniors of 1923 predicted their classmate, Elmore, would have a future in movies. Their prediction was off by one generation. I think it’s also interesting to note that four generations of the Torn family have called Taylor home.
Not only was Naomi involved with starting Taylor’s first homecoming, she continued to be actively involved with the planning, organizing and welcoming exes at every homecoming after that until her passing in 2019.
Early homecoming gatherings included a luncheon held at Murphy Park and then everyone would go to the pep rally. Festivities were later moved to the high school on North Main Street, then to City Hall, and to the Knights of Columbus Hall before returning to the the Taylor Independent School District’s Event Center and then to the KC Hall where the event currently takes place.
Naomi described homecoming as “magical” and emphasized, “What’s important is that it continues, every year.”
Homecoming 2025 was as magical as ever, and the traditions continued in a big way. There were lots of smiles, hugs, laughs and stories told. For me and my class, this year marked 45 years since we graduated from Taylor High at Memorial Field on Davis Street.
Seventy-three years after that first reunion, the Ex-Students association, which Naomi helped start, puts on a bigger and better event every year. We fill the KC Hall and honor all the previous athletes as well as former band, color guard, twirler, cheerleaders, High Steppers and Green Jackets, valedictorians and salutatorians.
Pat Helbert and her crew organize an amazing event that everyone looks forward to each year.
Now we have a Duck Hall of Fame started in 1993. The first inductee was Ruby Neubauer, a nurse, missionary and author from the Class of 1926. At this year’s homecoming, we inducted two new hall of famers: Larry Meiske and Sheila Ross Henderson, both from the Class of 1970.
Honorary Duck status was awarded to two longtime Taylor ISD employees who did not go to school here but fully embraced the Duck spirit during their careers and provided guidance and instruction for many young Ducks.
Former Coach Shirl Frazier and former teacher and administrator Carol Lindell are now officially Taylor Ducks.
Yes, our “Mama Duck” Naomi Pasemann would have been proud.
Join me here in two weeks as we take a look at another incredible tale from Taylor. Until then, make it a great week and be proud of where you’re from.
Crow is a longtime Taylor resident and retired from the Taylor Independent School District after 4 years of service. For a topic or suggestion, reach out to Crow via jason.chlapek@granitemediapartners.
com.
