On Feb. 22, the Saxon Education Foundation received a $1000 donation from the Classes of ‘56 and ‘57 in honor of LaMoyne Mapes ‘56. The Saxon Education Foundation is a non-profit organization that works towards enhancing academics at South. Although the classes of ‘56 and ‘57 graduated over 60 years ago, they are still contributing to allow South to gain more resources for the students and faculty. Mapes was in Varsity football when he was a senior and he along with his other classmates are still involved in South’s activities.

“The donation is to primarily honor LaMoyne, but also the class of ’57 and is made in his name but comes from the Class of ’57, generally known as the “baby Saxons” because we were the first class to go all 3 years and grew up, so to speak, as Saxons,” Gerry Thompson said. South was built in 1954 as the second public school in Salem. Prior to the opening of South, there was only one high school, called Salem High School, which is now known as North Salem High School.

Who is LaMoyne Mapes?

Although he is not a member of the class of ‘57 [he graduated in ‘56], he embodied the pride of South’s school spirit throughout his many years since graduation. LaMoyne had a long career in construction trade for the rest of his employment years.

“He was respected among all walks of life, raised three children, and supported his family not only financially but with excellent values,” Thompson said.

Mapes was born in Klamath Falls. His father was not consistently a part of Mapes’ life, while his mother struggled to raise Mapes and his three other siblings. Mapes was a star athlete for the school, but he could not afford a letterman’s jacket, which was worn by nearly all of the athletes at South. On his 70 birthday his family purchased him a letterman’s jacket with all of the badges he had received during his high school career.