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Author Takes Educational Look At Zephyrhills

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: July 12, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - Madonna Wise, a former president of the Zephyrhills Daybreak Rotary and grant writer for numerous community agencies, wished to capture the rich history of her community. Now she has published a 740-page book, "Tapestry-Zephyrhills, An Anthology of Its History Through Education."

"The book is a one-of-a-kind item which captures an extensive history of the city of Zephyrhills from 1910 to the present and celebrates the 100th anniversary of formal education in Zephyrhills," says a book description provided by Wise. "The book contains more than 5,000 names and you will no doubt find your place in this history as well."

Wise says her book regards and profiles Zephyrhills history from an educational perspective, and that schools have provided the setting for many historically relevant events in Zephyrhills.

"Social events were held at the school ... plays, glee club productions, dances, religious events and much more," she said. "The school, in fact, was not contained to a campus. When the school campus was severely damaged by fire in 1935, the town of Zephyrhills literally housed the students in various locations: high school students attended classes in the old bakery, seventh and eighth grades in the New England Hotel and sixth grade in the grocery store, for example.

"During the Great Depression, when health scares such as diphtheria and polio impacted daily practices, the school was the headquarters for the state health department to provide assistance to community families," she added.

"At other times to accommodate growth, classes were held in the World War II military barracks at the airport. The graduations were held in the local Home Movie Theater during the 1950s and later at the Municipal City Hall and the GAR Hall."

Local Celebrities

Wise's book also recalls Zephyrhills celebrities, luminaries raised in the city, and those who visited and participated in community events.

"There were many stars who were nurtured at the Zephyrhills schools, including the obvious sports heroes such as Ryan Pickett, Keathel Chauncey, David Eiland, David Reutimann and Andra Douglas, but also musicians such as John Floyd Gore, who played with Mel Tillis, and a guard on Air Force One, Donald Harrison, who guarded Nancy Reagan during the Ronald Reagan presidency," she said.

"Another feature unique to the Zephyrhills schools was to solicit a celebrity to select the Zephilsco queen and king. John Wayne, Red Skelton, Johnny Carson, Steve Spurrier ... just to name a few, did the honors over the years. Their letters are included in the book."

"Tapestry" also captures national events, seen through the eyes of Zephyrhills educators and students.

For example, the ZHS Class of 1946 bought an airplane for an aeronautics course at the school, which reflected the World War II era. In 1919, the school produced the play "Her Honor the Mayor," a satire on women's suffrage, at the passing of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote; it was a bit of a controversy in the community.

"The third Zephyrhills school campus was rebuilt with WPA Works Progress Administration funds and opened in 1937. What a wonderful way to learn about FDR's New Deal. The decade of the 2000-2010 chronicles the effect of 9/11 and the Iraq war on the community."

Wise consulted her adult children, lawyers Jervis Wise and Mamie Wise, about the effects of Title IX and the Brown v. Board of Education decision.

Wise Has 30 Years In Education

In writing a book that centers on education in Zephyrhills, Wise brings her own educational history to the project.

She has worked as a teacher, guidance counselor, principal and district office administrator in Pasco County schools, including Zephyrhills High School, Stewart Middle School, Pasco High School, Woodland Elementary School, West Zephyrhills Elementary School and Centennial Elementary School; and she served on the advisory council at Taylor Elementary.

She retired from Pasco County schools after 30 years, with the last two served as director of instruction for Florida Virtual School while on leave.

Since then, she has worked as an educational consultant and now serves as the supervisor of guidance counselors in Polk County.

In researching the book, Wise reviewed the microfilm collections of local newspapers in east Pasco, as well as the complete collections held by the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, and Zephyrhills Depot Museum. She also interviewed a number of people who hold the keys to Zephyrhills' history.

"As I completed the research, many people contributed artifacts, individual stories and information," she said.

"Two consultants throughout the process were Jeff Miller, a historian who maintains the Pasco County historical Web site, and Clereen Brunty, who is the alumni coordinator for Zephyrhills and a community volunteer extraordinaire. Many others contributed information. There are so many to thank."

Wise hopes that readers will find a strong personal connection in the pages of "Tapestry-Zephyrhills, An Anthology of Its History Through Education."

'TAPESTRY - ZEPHYRHILLS'

SOME BACKGROUND: Zephyrhills educator and community activist Madonna Wise has written a 740-page book, "Tapestry-Zephyrhills, An Anthology of Its History Through Education."

The index of this book, published through BookSurge Publishing, contains the names of Zephyrhills High School graduates from 1910 (the opening of the high school) to the present, and includes a complete index of faculty, staff and alumni.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: The book debuted at the annual Zephyrhills High School Alumni Picnic on June 28.

A LITTLE HISTORY: Wise serves on the Florida Hospital Zephyrhills board and is a past president and assistant governor of Rotary International, a Pasco Extension board member, Girl Scout leader and 4-H volunteer. Her husband, Ernie, also is a 30-year veteran of Pasco County schools. He is a Zephyrhills High School media specialist and previously taught biology.

WHAT'S NEXT: Wise said she is always looking for new writing challenges and would love to write more historical books.

GET INVOLVED: Wise's book is available on Amazon.com in paperback. Wise also has 100 special-edition copies in hardback; community members can reach her at (813) 782-0246 or mwise@hughes.net for information. The book also is available at BookSurge.com, Alibris.com and Abebooks .com.

In addition, she is available to share her stories with civic clubs, historical groups and at community events.

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