Webb City rocked in 1970, literally

In December 1970, high school students around the area volunteered to participate in a March of Dimes Rock-a-Thon.

Students collected donations for each hour they rocked in rocking chairs, all of which were set on specified street corners in town. For two days – around the clock – students took turns in the frigid December air to rock for the promised funds. The following is the Sentinel’s Dec. 18, 1970, account of Webb City’s student efforts:

Jim Robins, junior, Laura Miller, junior, and Cheryl Yocum, junior, of Webb City High School are shown participating in the March of Dimes rocking chair rock-a-thon that was held last Friday and Saturday and netted the March of Dimes a total of $829.05.

Robins tied with Eric Cunningham, with 21 hours each, rocking in the freezing weather. Robins was located on the northeast corner of Madison and Broadway, and Cunningham rocked on the southwest corner of Madison and Broadway.

Miss Kerry Betebenner, sophomore, and John Hoffman, freshman, tied with 14 hours each. Matt Spencer, sophomore, relieved Miss Betebenner for 8 hours, and Scott Dearing, junior, was rocking relief for 7 hours.

The senior class collected $291.81, junior class $284.95, sophomores, $139.38, and the freshmen, $112.91.

Coordinating the rock-a-thon were Miss Carolyn Largent and Miss Deanna Radtke, Missouri Southern College students. With the success of this year’s event the students are already making plans for next year’s rock-a-thon.”