Jim Ward remained a friendly presence at Manual after his retirement. (Photo courtesy of the Denver Post) Pictured from Left: Michael Grazi, Jim Ward, Mike Brownrigg, Rebecca Catalan
Author’s Note:
One of the best and most formative experiences of my life was belonging to the first class of students bused to Manual High School in 1974. It is a sentiment echoed by many of my fellow classmates from those years and it has heavily influenced the way we, as a group, understand the world and our relationships in it. It would not be an overstatement to say that the long-lasting effects of our unique experience were positive and enriching. We are proud to say we are Manual Thunderbolts.
In 1974, acting under the direction of the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge William Doyle issued an order that the Denver Public Schools (DPS) be desegregated. Manual was designated to receive new students from predominantly white neighborhoods. Determined to make integration a success at Manual, Colorado’s first African-American high school principal, James D. Ward, began recruiting teachers from George Washington High School. George Washington students living in Denver’s Crestmoor neighborhood were among those transitioning to Manual, and Ward was committed to ensuring the safety and success of all new students arriving as part of the desegregation order. Ward established a group of teachers, parents and students to help foster a welcoming atmosphere integral to a successful transition.
Dedicated to providing guidance, inclusion and opportunity to all students, Ward began his career at DPS as a teacher at Whittier Elementary School. He moved to Cole Junior High School, serving as assistant principal, then served as principal at Wyatt Elementary School before finally moving to Manual in 1966. At Manual, Ward again made history by appointing the first African-American coaches, Ed Calloway, Sr. (varsity basketball), Alex Burl (varsity football), Ira Brown (varsity tennis) and Lonnie Porter (assistant basketball), in a Colorado public high school.
Photo from the 1978 Manual yearbook.
A constant presence in the foyer, hallways, courtyard and lunchroom, Ward bantered with students as he encouraged them to move along between classes. Ward also attended sports events, music concerts, school plays and extracurricular activities that took place outside of normal school hours. Encouraging student collaboration, Ward led by example.
Mary Weber, a 1978 Manual graduate says, “I don’t know why desegregation worked so well at Manual. Maybe it was because, for a change, the white kids were bused into the black community. Maybe it was because it was a smaller school than most urban high schools. A lot of the credit goes to our warm and gregarious principal, ‘Big Jim’ Ward, who was everybody’s friend. He brought in some of the best teachers from other schools and met with black and white parents to reassure them that everything would be fine. He instilled a sense of pride in us that made us want to prove that our school could work. Jim Ward was a transformational figure. He was the right person to lead us through those tumultuous days.”
Homecoming Royalty Greg Gardner and Kim Jackson – Fall 1977
Walter Huff grew up down the street from Manual and graduated in 1978. He remembers the neighborhood anticipating the start of the school year and the influx of bused students. “Everyone thought there might be problems, but there weren’t any. That was mostly due to Mr. Ward meeting with families and students to let them know how things would work.” Huff remembers Ward with fondness, saying, “Mr. Ward gave lots of love but he was very disciplined. He was very interested in our education and if you acted like you weren’t at school to learn, he let you know that wasn’t okay.” Huff attributes the cooperative atmosphere at Manual to Ward. “He had the skill set to ensure people from all areas got along. He was almost like a matchmaker in that way.” These days, Huff volunteers time at Manual serving as a mentor to students. He is also active in the Friends of Manual Alumni Group. “Some of the best times of my life were at Manual,” says Huff.
As a sophomore, Mark “Paco” Slosky remembers attending the State Basketball Championship finals in 1976. Manual faced off against Cherry Creek High School at Denver’s McNichols Arena. The Manual High School Thunderbolts had been ranked second all yearlong, trailing top-ranked Cherry Creek. The game pitted one of the wealthiest suburban high schools in the state against one of the smallest inner-city schools. Both teams were undefeated heading into the game.
Slosky had missed his ride and arrived just before the tipoff. Searching desperately for a place to sit, he realized his only option might be to sit on the side of the opposing Cherry Creek team. As he recalls, “I was sure I wouldn’t find a seat on the Manual side and I was getting panicked. I heard a booming voice yelling, ‘Paco Slosky, get over here!’ It was Mr. Ward. I had never had a conversation with him and had no idea that he even knew who I was. I sat next to him to watch one of the best back-and-forth games in Colorado history. Manual won the game and the state championship. Mr. Ward grabbed me and hugged me for what seemed like an eternity. When I looked up at him, he had tears of joy streaming down his face. At that moment, I knew I was a Thunderbolt for life.”
Ward recruited Dr. Joyce Marie Davis, the first African-American vocal music director and instructor in a Colorado senior high school. Davis was the vocal music director at Manual from 1970 until her retirement in 1992. She led the concert choir and select choir (Bolt Vibration) in performances throughout the state, including the governor’s inauguration and a performance that aired on Channel 7, KMGH television.
1978 Manual yearbook seniors. Author of this article, Anne (Kreutzer) Hebert, is middle-left.
Davis’s daughter Ervia Davis recalls, “Mama and Mr. Ward had a relationship based upon extreme admiration and respect. He made sure she always knew he had her back and she had what she needed.”
Davis introduced her students to music of all genres. “Racial differences made no difference to my mother,” says Davis. “Her attitude was, kids are kids and students are students. Music can engage everyone equally.”
Dick Jordan, another teacher recruited by Ward, taught history and guided a school river trip each May. Joking with each year’s class, he speculated that in the year 2000, if all of his students gave him one dollar, he’d be a rich man. Several of Jordan’s former students organized to make that dream come true. Hundreds of students met Jordan downtown at a pre-arranged gathering to greet him, ring in the new millennium, and reminisce about their Manual experience.
Jarrell McCracken taught at Manual during those years and was committed to the ideals of inclusion and opportunity established by Ward. Fondly remembered by students and fellow teachers, the Jerry McCracken Scholarship Fund was created after his death.
Denver mayor Michael Hancock, a 1987 Manual graduate, recalls Ward serving at the school as a volunteer after his retirement. He says, “Mr. Ward was very present and very respected. The Manual he built was a diverse, open and inclusive place.” Hancock also remembers his time at Manual as an extremely positive experience. “There aren’t many schools that created such opportunities for lasting friendships among students that, otherwise, would probably never have met. Students at Manual came from neighborhoods all over Denver.”
Other notable Manual alumni include the first African-American mayor of Denver, Wellington Webb; the first African-American mayor of Seattle, Norman Rice; boxer, poet and activist Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales; writer Ted Conover; and National Public Radio correspondent Scott Horsley. Manual also honed the talents of first-rate basketball and baseball athletes, including Micheal Ray Richardson, Billy Lewis, Daniel Banuelos/Cortez and LaVon Williams.
Manual experienced some difficult years after busing ended and Jim Ward retired. However, the McAuliffe Manual middle school program, now in its first year at Smiley, will likely revive memories of Jim Ward’s legacy when it moves to the Manual building next year.
For more information, visit www.friendsofmanual.org.
I graduated in 78 and three of best years of my life. We never had a racial incident and evetbody got along very well. I had already been bushed to a white school Byers Jr high school previous, but they were coming to our side of town this time. I wasn’t nervous because I had already interacted with white kids. In fact I really didn’t notice any tension apprehension from anybody. We played sports together attended school dances and had an excellent time. I have met friends for life and proud to to be a 78 Thunderbolt.
I had Mr. Ward as my principal at Wyatt elementary school and then again at Manual High School I was editor of ,”La Pochteca” a Chicano I your face uncensored publication within the school during a tumultuous time in the early 70’s. There were a lot of complaints about our little xeroxed publication and all of our editorial staff was called into his office. “Guereca you in my office again? What is this about?” (The last time I had been in his office was in Elementary school at Wyatt). I explained to him about what the publication was about,giving Chicano students an uncensored voice. He looked around the room at the rest of the students involved in publishing the newspaper, and realized that every one of us were in The National Honor Society and on the Principal’s Honor Roll and pretty much gave us his Blessing but asked us to kind of tone down the language a bit and he would take care of all the complaints,after all Freedom of the Press. James D. Ward knew me and every member of my family by name and was a fair and great man.
I graduated from Manual in 1974 at the top of my class with honors with a full scholarship to USC….but that’s another story. My years spent at Manual i now realize were some of the most memorable years of my life.
“WHEN THEY ASK US WHO WE ARE…WE ARE THE THUNDERBOLTS,THE MIGHTY ,MIGHTY THUNDERBOLTS!!” GO BOLTS!
Great, Great man !!! But you do realize that busing was the start of the destruction of the Black community in Denver. Not the best of times.
Mr. Ward was a very dedicated educator and a trailblazer in so many ways. His legacy is inspiring.
Was it busing? Or was it like most African American communities in America that were detrimentally impacted – Drugs?
You changed the Manual Emblem? ?
Authors Note: As far as I know, the emblem has remained the same. There may be a different one the school uses on publications, etc.
My. Name. Is. Ben joseph bernal. I atended. Manual highschool in. 1974. Tenth grade. School. Mates Russell busick luther sanders ken givens Robert taylor. Charles thomas best. Of. Best. Principal. Ever. Jim ward.Inspired. My. Life. I. Owe it. All. To. Hime. What ive. Admired about. God sent man
I agree 100 % with you! What an amazing man Hugh was
Good article. Its a shame it did not mention legendary band teacher Hugh Avis who was Colorado state teacher of the year in 1982 and all of the musical talent that came out of Manual.
Mr. Avis was great. So many people loved being a part of his band classes. Manual nurtured great musical talent.
I fell the same carol thank you for saying it for all of us Karl Koopman
I love Manual and I loved being bussed. I was so sorry when the bussing stopped. It broke my heart. Bussing allowed kids, with few preconceived notions about race or socio-economic backgrounds, to get to know each other without the adult pressures. We were just kids being kids- growing and getting to know each other. Black, white, Hispanic, Jewish cultures, all blended together. It was a wonderful experience. Mr. Ward, Ms. Davis, Mr. Applewhite, Mama Beatty, Mrs. Jones, Mr. Jordan and so many others. Such caring people- not just teachers or administrators. We felt their love and dedication every day.
I graduated in 1996 so years from the initial busing group however I completely identify with the life guiding and unique experience that being a T-bolt brought to me. We did have counselor lead and self segregation within classes and free time. However the experiences I had around sports and being a part of teams that included everyone, again a testament to the small school size and very few if any sports team cuts. I never knew until I graduated that my experience of having friends from different neighborhoods, socioeconomic background and racial and cultural experiences was going to be something I would have to work really hard at the rest of my life and that those opportunities would not be as natural as the experience of being a T-bolt.
What an honor to be related to Jim. You would have been so proud of him.
I am deeply humbled and inspired by this story and the legacy my Great-great Grandfather, Mr. James D Ward has left in Denver Public Schools and the greater Denver community. I will continue to aspire to greater heights within my community to honor of all his accomplishments.
Margie is my first cousin. My father and hers were brothers.
Sorry, I did not take the picture of James Ward in front of the school. The others in the top picture are Mike Brownrigg and Rebecca Catalan.
I went to Manual from 1971-73 at which time I graduated. Mr Ward was there with Mr Rease, Assistant Principal, Mr Burl, Football Coach, both neighbors of mine, Mr Porter, Basketball Coach, and Mr Calloway, Assistant Principle, Dr. Davis, Mrs. Jones, Ms. Lorbear (spelling), Mr Avis, Mrs Patton and countless others. The respect I have for all of the teachers and staff for keeping us in line, for loving us and making sure we walked as straight of a line that we could will always remain in my heart. I graduated before bussing but had been bused to TJ and GW for my 9th and 10th grade years. At the end of 10th grade I was ready to quit school because I had been snatched from my comfortable surroundings because of boundary changes. Call it that or bussing, I was deeply affected. Coming to Manual and being greeted with open, caring arms was the highlight of my high school years. I shall be thankful for the rest of my life for being allowed to go to Manual. Mr Ward always had a good team and always cared for his students. Go Thunderbolts!
We went to Manual HS when our daughter, Vicki, was going to be a freshman there. When the student council Pres. introduced him we were in awe, because as he walked on stage the entire student body stood up and cheered. It still brings tears to my eyes; the students adored their principal because he knew each of them and was always available to listen and help them.
The person on the left in the picture with James Ward is me. My name is Michael Grazi and I remember him very well. I not only can say Jim was my principal but he was also my friend. I miss him very much. Also, the yearbook picture was one I took as head photographer. It is OK to publish my name.
Thank you Michael. I will add the names to the picture. Margie Grazi was in my class. Could that have been your sister?
Anne (Kreutzer) Hebert
I first met Jim Ward in early September 1969 when I arrived at Manual for my first day of my Senior year of classes there. I was anxious and apprehensive as I walked towards the Main entrance, uncertain what to expect being the sole “white” student in my view. Standing on the sidewalk was a noticeable man, a large smile, muscular body, his arm reaching out to shake my hand, with a firm grip, deep voice welcoming me to Manual. He knew my name, although like almost all mispronounced it, not missing a beat he went on welcoming me and walked me into my first classroom. An easy natural laugh accompanied by an exuded confidence – casual and approachable
to all as we walked down the hallway. I was taken aback just before entering the classroom when he placed his hand on my shoulder both thanking me and reassuring me in the same moment that my anti-war protest actions were a welcomed expression at Manual. The prior year South HS had repeatedly disciplined and expelled me making it clear that I should not return for my senior year. 1969-1970 was the first year of voluntary bussing and so Manual was my only option. What a gift Jim Ward and my year at Manual HS was.