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The Ballard School Board will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, March 18, 2024 in the Middle School Board Room. To view the meeting online, register here.

History of Consolidation 1958-1959

 50s Trivia

Before the consolidation of the four towns:

  • Cambridge school colors were blue and white and their nickname was the Cobras.
  • Huxley school colors were black and orange and their nickname was the Vikings.
  • Kelley school colors were blue and gold and at this time we are unsure of their nickname. The Kelley
  • Alumni team’s nickname was the Cats.
  • Slater school colors were black and gold and their nickname was the Hawks.

History of the District

The Ballard Community School District became an official school district on July 1, 1957. The reorganization election was held on May 1, 1957. The result was a resounding 89% approval by the voters. Additional area was added by two later reorganizations. Miss Eulalia Jensen, Administrative Assistant in the County Superintendent’s Office, is credited with naming the district after the Ballard Creek, which flows almost directly across the entire district. The Ballard Community School District encompasses approximately 85 square miles, with a district population of almost 8000 residents. The communities of Cambridge, Huxley, Kelley, and Slater came together in 1957 and formed the Ballard Community School District. Ballard Community School District is located in the “Golden Circle” 10 miles south of Ames and 20 miles north of Des Moines. It’s location provides the opportunities of small town living while enjoying access to metropolitan activities.

  • The first day of school at Ballard was September 2, 1958
  • Ballard’s first home football field was Slater Night Hawk Field in Slater.
  • 1958-1959 Carnival Royalty was Rowena Accola and Ray Cruse

1958-59 Cambridge Elementary Center Picture
1958-59 Huxley High School Center Picture
1958-59 Kelley Elementary Center Picture
1958-59 Slater Elementary Center Picture


CLASS OF 1959

Graduation Date: Friday, May 22, 1959
Class Motto: “One Goal Reached and Many Beyond”
Class Colors: Red and White
Class Flower:  White Carnation
Valedictorian: Gayla Richardson
Salutatorian: Betty Bruns & Carolyn Hillebo

Class Officers

  • Rowena Accola
  • Gayla Richardson
  • Stephen Rye
  • Diane Soderstrum

Senior Members of the National Honor Society

  • Betty Bruns
  • Carolyn Gill
  • Carolyn Hillebo
  • Gayla Richardson
  • Stephen Rye
  • Dianne Soderstrum
  • Gordon Steel
  • Colleen Tweedt

Members of the Graduating Class of 1959

Rowena Accola Judy Adams Chris Aldrich Darlene Anderson Elaine Bender Betty Bruns
Bruce Carlson Ed Carney Jim Cerise Lynn Cerise Ray Cruse Dan Dyvig
David Erickson Al Finch Ron Finch Judie Floden Diane Freeland Gary Gibson
Carolyn Gill David Halverson Sharon Hill Carolyn Hillebo Leila Houge Terry Jennings
Twila Jordan David Kalsem John Kalsem Gary Lande Monte Lantz Larry Larson
Patti Locker Wayne Metcalf Lou Ella Meyer Sandra Murray Nels Nord LeRoy Peterson
Sandra Peterson Gayla Richardson Ronald Rude Stephen Rye Nancy Sesker Larry Shaeffer
Nancy Sheldahl Diane Soderstrum Gordon Steel Richard Steensland Larry Swim Colleen Tweedt
Rita Warren Clark Westvold Joyce Williams Sandra Williams Art Wilson

Class of 1959

Download the class of 1959 composite

Activities

Annual Queen
Carnival Queen
Baseball
Boys’ Basketball
Boys’ Track
Girls’ Basketball
Girls’ Basketball State Quarter Finalists
Football Picture
Football Roster Ballard vs United Community
Senior Class Play