February 2011 Chatterbox - Ruston High School

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utside Our Box Chatterbox
Ruston High School February 14, 2011 Page 2
Distinguished Alumni: Cherry Pratt Kirkpatrick
information provided by the RHS Alumni Association
by Natasha Alva
News Editor
Cherry Pratt spent the years 1957-1960 as a student at Ruston High School. The amazing life story of
Cherry Pratt Kirkpatrick and her husband Vance Kirkpatrick living for forty-six years in the deep bush of
Kenya has resulted in their now being considered as Angels from America.
Cherry Pratt went to Louisiana Tech in the early 1960s. It was there that she met Vance Kirkpatrick and
was married. They were on the same wavelength as they determined that "service to others" was where their
future lay. Mrs. Kirkpatrick wanted to make life better for people in a third world country, so she armed herself
with dual degrees in Home Economics and English.
Upon completion of her degree in 1964, the Kirkpatricks joined the newly formed Peace Corp. They
would be part of the first group to go to Africa. Once in Kenya, Mrs. Kirkpatrick taught at one of only ten
high schools for girls on the continent and her husband taught at a traditional boys' school. Each of
them earned twelve and a half cents per hour or a total of eighty-eight dollars per month! Their transportation
consisted of one bicycle that they shared, and they lived at the girls' boarding school where Mrs. Kirkpatrick
taught. After fulfilling their two year commitment with the Peace Corp, they returned to the U.S. to further
their studies in preparation for their return to Kenya as missionaries.
The Kirkpatricks returned to Kenya in 1972 where they established the first Baptist high school. At that time, educational opportunities for women in Africa were very limited
due to societal attitudes and restrictions. Cherry Kirkpatrick became fluent in Swahili and began teaching life-altering survival skills and literacy to the native young women who
boarded at the school. When asked why she felt this calling was of particular importance, she responded saying ―Because when you educate a woman over there, you educate an
entire family." In 1981, the Kirkpatricks established the Kenya Baptist Theological College where both taught and from which four year degrees are granted in conjunction with
Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas.
With much credit due to Mrs. Kirkpatrick, native women learned not only to read and write but also about nutrition, agriculture, sanitation, health care, personal hygiene, parenting,
and giving back. They also learned the importance of educating the youth. Today, after forty-six years in Kenya, Cherry Kirkpatrick says that the biggest change in that
country is in education, as now schools are prevalent and there are enough educated native born citizens to do the teaching. Mrs. Kirkpatrick says one of the most beautiful and
heart-warming aspects of educating Kenyans are that, "When you teach a disadvantaged person, they never lose their passion."
Although both are now officially retired, the Kirkpatricks continue to reside in Kenya where they have built a one thousand two hundred square foot home. They also continue
to bring education, hope, and a better way of life to disadvantaged Kenyans. Cherry Pratt Kirkpatrick continues an initiative to educate pastors' wives so that they can fulfill their
potential and better assist their husbands.
Got Gas
by Emily Moore
Arts Reporter
Students here in Ruston may rely on their parents for gas
money if they have no job, and those with a job may not
have extra money to spend after paying for gas. A large
percentage of Ruston High students drive to school at an
extra cost. Gas prices have sky-rocketed to an outrageous
$3.00 at local gas stations and even higher in other areas.
Mr. Moss gave his opinion on the matter. ―They [gas
prices] are fake. They only raise the prices when it‘s convenient
for them. They use any global crisis to raise the prices. It‘s centered on the price of a
barrel.‖ It‘s said to be raised even higher in the future. The price of a barrel has reached $90
and is predicted to rise even higher, which will have some Americans paying $4.00 or more
at the pumps.
However, there are ways to save gas. Combine your trips to town. If you‘ve got several
errands to run, run them all when you‘re in town instead of making more than one trip. You
can shop online instead of driving all the way to Monroe or other surrounding cities. Companies
often have discounts online and the online store has more selection than the actual
store! Carpool with your friends and you both save gas and money! If you live in town, ride
a bike or walk. Exercise is good for you! Find the cheapest gas prices on your route and stop
there. Pay with cash instead of a credit card and there is no interest! Cutting back on driving
would save gas and money. If everyone cut back, it would reduce prices. We‘d have cleaner
air, fewer accidents, and less congestion on the roads. Like every other problem in the country,
the solution resides in unity and the determination to change.
Saluting Outstanding Student
Achievement
Throughout the Bearcat Nation