Memories of Neal Junior High and Middle School

The consolidation of Vienna and Fowler townships' schools into the Fowler-Vienna Local School District on January 1, 1961, altered the relationship between the two communities. The post-World War II "Baby Boom" had created a want of space for the rising number of students in both townships.

The Vienna Centralized School building, opened in 1915, housed the newly named Mathews High School in 1962 after Ithel F. Mathews, a beloved former teacher.

The building that would house Neal Junior High School in 1961 and later Neal Middle School began as Fowler High School, constructed in 1922.

Before new elementary school buildings were built in each township (Baker Elementary in Vienna and Currie Elementary in Fowler), children attended school in rented space at the Youngstown Air Base.

After years of dedicated use, what had become known as the Neal Building was closed in 2011. The building was later sold in an auction.

At such times, memories flow about the years spent in the school building, racing down halls, playing in the gym, learning home economics and woodworking, algebra and English. Please share your memories with us so that we may preserve the school's history.

I had the privilege of beginning my teaching career at Neal Jr High School. I taught 5th grade at the school from 1972-1975. It was a wonderful experience; simple times filled with the laughter and enthusiasm of 10 year olds. Under the wise tutelage of my students, I learned everything I needed to know to become a skilled and compassionate educator. We sure had many fun times, during which lots of learning took place.

My years at Neal created the foundation upon which I built a longstanding career as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (in Colorado). Through my young students, I developed many valuable skills - how to break down rather complex concepts into smaller parts,  which could more easily be understood. This happens to be a very important aspect of conducting effective marriage and family therapy sessions.

I also honed my ability to maintain an easy sense of humor and to express compassion in every nuance of life. At the tender age of 22, and as a novice educator, my students were, in fact, my teachers. Neal Jr High School granted me the opportunity to experience fondly held memories, filled with a special gratitude for everything I learned in that “country school.”

-Mary R. Mills (formerly McMullin)