ELHS Alumni Congratulate the Class of 2018: Linda and Bob McKnight

Above: Linda Marple and Bob McKnight in their high school prom photo.

ELHS Alumni congratulate the Class of 2018 . . . now through June

On June 10, about 300 high school seniors will march onward to join the ranks of Trojan Alumni who have graduated from East Lansing Public Schools over the last century.

East Lansing Info asked Trojan Alumni who live, work and retain ties in East Lansing to congratulate the Class of 2018. From now through early June, we'll feature their reflections and informal advice to the graduating class.

Thank you ELHS Alumni and congratulations to the Class of 2018.

Featured Alumni

Bob McKnight and Linda Marple McKnight

Class of 1957 (Bob); Class of 1958 (Linda)

What is your occupation?

We are both retired. Bob was a teacher and coach (golf, basketball, and football) at Waverly High School. Linda is a wife, mother and grandmother. Grandchildren are the dessert of life! Linda taught ice skating at MSU Demonstration Hall and at the Lansing Ice and Gymnastics Center. She also taught reading at Donley for 15 years before retirement.

Why did you make East Lansing home?

We are both lifelong residents of East Lansing. We wanted to be near our families. We loved what we grew up with and what EL represents to us.

Where did you grow up in East Lansing?

Bob’s mother and father built a home on Oxford Road in East Lansing (both Abbot and Oxford Roads were dirt roads at the time). He lived there until he and Linda married. Linda moved to EL in sixth grade and lived on Collingwood Drive. Except for two years in college, she lived there until she married Bob.

Where do you live now?

We now live on Linden Drive near the Bailey area. It is just the right home for us.

Do you have children in East Lansing schools?

Our three children and two sons-in-law graduated from East Lansing. Three of our four grandchildren will graduate from East Lansing schools.

Above: The McKnights gather with their children and grandchildren, representing ELHS graduating classes 1958 through 2024. Linda (white shirt) and Bob (gray sweater) are in the second row center.

What are some funny or fond memories you have about high school?

The principal looked like an owl and every time we had an assembly we would all hoot when he came on stage. He was quite distressed. We had three major dances every year: The Snowball, Junior Prom and Senior Prom. We always went out to eat to dinner at a very nice place in groups of six or eight. For Linda’s senior prom, a large group of girls from the class made sure everyone had a date and a prom dress or tux. One Junior Prom, they danced every dance! It must have been a particularly great band! We always had live music and no DJs. There were many slumber parties.

One day before Bob’s graduation, a classmate (an honor student who was friends with everyone) rode his bike through the halls of the high school. He was not allowed to walk at graduation. Needless to say, the principal nearly got hooted off the stage. High school was marvelous for both of us!

What was your favorite place in East Lansing when you attended high school? Why? Friends’ homes, downtown EL (there were no malls), and Tastee-Freez. Sound familiar? Sixty years ago, Tastee-Freez was owned by a high school classmates of Linda’s parents. We liked going to A&W after football practice to meet up with the guys as well as after all the high school football games—including away games. If the away games were in the vicinity of Marshall, Michigan, we would stop at Schuler’s to eat. We also liked going to some MSU games (tickets were always available), and going to Coral Gables to get pizza—usually takeout. We were very fortunate.

What path did you initially take when you graduated?

We both went to college. Bob went to Michigan State University and Linda went to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri.

What do you think is different about high school today?

The expectations for graduation are MUCH higher today. There were no SAT or ACT tests. Ninety-eight percent of Linda’s graduating class went to college. There was very little to almost no smoking and drinking. Drugs were unknown. In our day, the guys dressed in khakis, crew neck sweaters, saddle shoes, penny loafers, and button-down collared shirts. White wool slacks from Jacobson’s were a must for the girls as were pleated kilts and pencil-thin straight wool skirts. No one ever wore blue jeans. Many of the students dated frequently and some had steady boyfriends or girlfriends. Though there were cliques and clubs, at the end of the day everyone knew everyone and were friends. Many times we knew friend’s whole families, including aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and pets.

What do you think is the same?

There are a lot of very fine, talented youth who represent their families and ELHS in an admirable way as we both did in the ’50s.

What advice do you have for graduating seniors?

Remember to reflect on those things that are fun and memorable because you might not pass that way again. CALL YOUR MOM and DAD!!!