Professional Achievement 2003 - Stella Cosper
In 1941 Stella received a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics with a major in Home Economics Education. Upon graduation Mrs. Cosper began her teaching career at Duncan High School. Mrs. Cosper received additional graduate training at the U of A, ASU and South West Texas State Teachers College. In 1947 she began teaching in Clifton. Mrs. Cosper treasurers many wonderful memories of her teaching. A special memory is when the boys petitioned to be allowed to enroll in home economics. These eager male students studied the full curriculum of home economics, including family finance, housing, nutrition, clothing selection, foods and nutrition, and sewing. Mrs. Cosper recalls that this was one of her best classes. As times have changed there have been increased opportunities to teach mixed classes of boys and girls.
During her teaching at Clifton the Home Economics Department moved three times. She remembers that one of the best of these moves was leaving the basement of the gymnasium, although she said that some of her dearest students were from that era. She rejoices in the fact that her final years of teaching were in a new air conditioned school in a department that she helped design. Stella’s husband, Harvel, is also a teacher and a U of A graduate. After World War II, Harvel and Stella bought a ranch in York, Greenlee County and operated it until 1995. Stella and her husband are proud to have always been extensively involved in the community. Their activities ranged from organizing concerts to working with cattle growers, the Greenlee County Historical Board and the U of A Alumni Assoc. Whenever I am in and out about the community, I always have the pleasure of running into some of my students. This, Mrs. Cosper says, is one of her most gratifying experiences as a long time teacher.
