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A Career Filled With Memories
By Ron ClemonsAs Oneida Beeman-Lorimer reflects on her 36 years as a biology teacher at Chrisman High School, the memories come alive, not only for her but also for the many students she taught throughout those years.
"My most memorable experience of Miss Beeman was the day she talked about how I planned to continue my education after graduating from high school," Bridger retiree Bonnie Allin said. "She, along with another teacher, offered to purchase my college textbooks if I would go to college. I will never forget that day. Miss Beeman really cared about her students and wanted to see them succeed. She is a teacher you never forget."
Dr. Henry Russell, deputy superintendent, was also one of Oneida's students. He remembers her as being consistent each day. "She was absolutely unchangeable. Her mood or demeanor never changed, and I mean that in the most complimentary way." He also remembers her walking around the classroom as she talked. "If we thought we were getting away with something, we would look up and she would be at that table immediately. We never got away with much."
Andrew Rondomanski, a student of hers in 1978, remembers how she taught him to observe and to keep an open mind. " She made me want to learn whether I wanted to or not." He decided years later to show how much he appreciated and remembered her. This past December he gave her a wooden Christmas Chest he had made and presented it to her at Centerpoint Hospital, where he works and where Oneida volunteers each week. "I had made one for my family the year before, so I showed it to Miss Beeman. She admired it so much that I decided to make her one just like it the next year. "
Oneida said she was thrilled and excitedly described contents of the chest. "Among the treasurers in the chest were artifacts depicting the Christmas story, including the widow's mite in an olive case and the three wise men and their gifts to the Baby Jesus. I will always treasure that chest from Andrew."
Her love for biology began when she was a sophomore at Paseo High School. She had decided in second grade to be a teacher, but she chose her subject matter when she took biology. She graduated from Paseo in 1941 at the age of 16, then received her B.A. in biology in 1945 from Kansas City University (now UMKC). She went on to receive her M.A. in biology from there in 1947 and her M.S. in teaching biology from Purdue University in 1964. Her teaching career began at Chrisman in the fall of 1945. She moved to Big Chrisman in 1956.
"I was only 20 years old, only a couple of years older than many of my students. I had one boy who was 19. He had returned from the service and decided to continue his education.
Her years as a teacher brought many awards. In 1970 she was named the Biology Teacher for Missouri by the National Association of Biology Teachers, and in 1979 she received the State Science Teacher's Award. She also remembers accompanying her student John Rainbolt to Disneyland when he won the Science Fair Award. She later accompanied Leanne Heman to the International Science and Engineering Fair.
While she was passionate about biology, she also became involved in many of the school's activities. She sponsored Pep Club, AFS, the junior class, the senior class and helped with graduation nearly every year. She also made many friends at Chrisman. Three of these friends were fellow teachers : Nora Witthar, chemistry, Ellis Clement, physics teacher and Thelma Myers, typing and shorthand teacher. Ellis and Thelma and I always went to the ballgames together.
Her education did not end after three degrees. She spent a summer at Western Michigan University and another one at Fairleigh-Dickenson University, where she had a really fun summer. "I had no papers to write, no tests to take," she said. A fourth degree was an Education Specialist from CMSU.
Her learning continued through her travel experiences. She traveled with Florence Brush's Spanish students to Mexico and Puerto Rico. "We also took a six-week trip to Europe, and it only cost $650 for everything." Other major trips included two trips to China and one trip to the Scandinavian countries.
Oneida decided to retire in 1981, but she didn't leave teaching. She spent the next five years in the Blue Valley School District so "I could earn my social security." After that she became even more involved in her church and it was there she met Harold Lorimer.
"He and his wife had been good friends of mine through church. Two years after her death, Harold and I began dating, but it took him two years to convince me to marry him. It was the most fascinating thing that ever happened to me." She also gained a stepson, Bill, who graduated from Chrisman in 1964.
Her family is obviously important to her. Her brother now lives in Florida, but has kept his home in Overland Park, so she sees him several times a year. Her eyes light up whenever she talks about her two nieces and nephew, plus nine great-nieces and nephews. "They all treat me like their grandmother." And, she sounds like a proud grandmother as she talks about their educational backgrounds, which include Harvard, the University of Chicago, Texas Christian University, the University of Texas, Wichita State, and Tulsa University. Occupations include certified public accountants, educators, and executives.
"My nephew worked with American Express in Tokyo for several years and now works in New York. He was only a block away from the World Trade Center on 9/11 and �New York Magazine' had a picture of him running down the street with his papers flying everywhere. Three of his co-workers were killed."
But even as she talked about her family, her memories of her years as a biology teacher at Chrisman remain strong. "I worked under five wonderful principals, Mr. Stinson, Mr. Benson, Mr. Shelton, Mr. Greene, and Mr. Herrick." Chrisman honored her when she retired by having a nature reserve on the campus named for her. It, however, had to be plowed up when the new stadium was built, but plans are being made to establish another one on the campus, an honor that would please her.
So, after all of these years, does she miss teaching? "I don't miss the homework and grading papers, but I miss the students. It is always a thrill and a treat to see any of them." And certainly it is a special treat to receive a special gift like the Christmas Chest from a former student named Andrew Rondomanski.
This, she says, leaves her with a special memory.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO MRS.BEEMAN-LORIMER
I WAS NEVER A VERY DEDICATED STUDENT IN HIGH SCHOOL. MISS BEEMAN ALWAYS SAW THE STUDENT I COULD HAVE BEEN INSTEAD OF THE STUDENT I WAS. SHE CONTINUALLY TRIED TO GET ME TO APPLY MYSELF TO MY STUDIES, BUT I WAS MORE INTERESTED IN ENTERTAINING MY CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS.
I BARELY GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL, WENT TO WORK AT VENDO CORP IN K.C. AND THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE IT. AS MOST STORIES GO I MET A GIRL, DECIDED TO TRY COLLEGE BECAUSE SHE WAS THERE, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WOULD GET A DEGREE IN. I REMEMBERED MISS BEEMAN TELLING ME I SHOULD TRY TEACHING BECAUSE I MIGHT BE ABLE TO TEACH KIDS LIKE ME.
I WENT INTO EDUCATION BECAUSE OF MISS BEEMAN AND TAUGHT SCHOOL FOR 35 YEARS. SHE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERY STUDENT I REACHED AND HELPED TO BE A BETTER PERSON.
THANK YOU MISS BEEMAN FOR BELIEVEING THAT I SHOULD APPLY MYSELF.
DANIEL E. MCLAUGHLIN CLASS OF 65
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