SCHOOL PICTURE (Part 1)

Here is Štefan’s grade school picture that was probably taken in the fall of 1924 when he was in the 3rd or 4th grade (click on the photo for a larger view). He is in the top row - there is an X marked above his head.  Notice his embroidered suspenders and short haircut like all of the boys. Except for four girls in the front row, all of the girls are wearing traditional kroj.

The girl in the front center is holding a chalkboard that reads in Slovak, “R. k. l’ud škola, v Drahoviach, šk. rok 1924/1925 III-IV tr.”  Some of the words are abbreviated but I believe the sign translates to, “Roman Catholic school in Drahovce, school year 1924/1925 3rd and 4th grades”

The photo is printed in the same format with rounded edges, as the photo of Paulína and her infant son, and the photo that I believe may be Emera.

On the back there are words written in pencil and some doodling, including pictures of flowers. The words are faded and hard to read. Štefan Miklo is written twice and there are references to youth,  Drahovce, Bratislava and Slovakia.

Steve would look at this photo, chuckle and point to the girl in the second row from the front, third from the left side (behind the girl holding a book - click on the photo to enlarge it).  He said her name was Františka and that she was his girlfriend.  More about Františka in the next post.