Rolla Presbyterian Manor
SEPTEMBER 2022
Former teacher enjoyed ‘every bit’ of his career
Two winning artists in Rolla Presbyterian Manor’s annual Art is Ageless® juried competition will be featured in the 2023 Art is Ageless calendar produced by PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®).
For the past few weeks, teachers and students alike have traded in their summer schedules for the earlier mornings and lengthier days of the academic year.
“Christmas Angel,” a Christmas entry by Sophia deLaat, and “Homage to Hair, the Musical,” a drawing by Ellen Reynolds, will appear in the calendar when it is released this fall.
Forrest O’Neal’s teaching and coaching career was full of seemingly endless days, which often began with team practice before school. When he taught physical education at the junior high school, “I got up up at six, got to the junior high and opened the doors at seven,” Forrest remembers.
Four local artists among Art is Ageless® masterpiece level winners
Forrest O’Neal
Back then, he coached football, track and basketball. By the time after-school practices and games were over, he would have put in yet another 12-hour day. But he didn’t mind. “I enjoyed every bit of it,” Forrest said. “Every day, I was prepared to teach and help young people. I felt that that’s what God wanted me to do.” The Rolla Presbyterian Manor resident has fond memories of his lengthy and varied career in the Rolla public schools. In addition to PE, he taught American history and driver’s education. After many years teaching and coaching from elementary school to high school, Forrest transferred to the cooperative occupation education program at the vocational school, which is where he worked until his retirement from teaching at the age of 58. Forrest continued working in various jobs, including as an advertising sales manager. For three sessions, he served as a doorkeeper at the Missouri Senate building. His wife Alice worked as an assistant to former Missouri
Teaching – continued on page 3
Works by local winners are automatically entered into a masterpiece level competition with winning art from 14 other PMMA® communities. More than 170 entries were received for this year’s masterpiece competition. The winners are featured in the Art is Ageless calendar with pull-out postcards and greeting cards. “Sunrise on Lake Superior,” a painting by Carol Jessop, will be featured on a pull-out postcard included in the 2023 calendar. “Red Quilled Christmas Card” Art is Ageless – continued on page 2
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at RollaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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