Their Stories

Former Xenia Mayor Marsha Bayless was in her first year of teaching during the 1973-1974 school year. She taught first grade at Tecumseh Elementary School. Upon returning to school after the event of April 3, 1974, Bayless had her first graders write about their experiences as a result of the tornado. The images below are of Marsha Bayless’ first grade students. Linked are their writings and illustrations detailing the experience of April 3, 1974, through the eyes of six-year-olds.

Marsha Bayless

Miss Marsha Bayless

Kellie

Kellie

Shawn

Shawn

Ken

Ken

William

William

Dawn

Dawn

Chris

Chris

Todd

Todd

Stacy

Stacy