Site of the Old Provo High School
August 20, 1912, the Board of Education agreed “that a high school should be established in Provo City” the so-called high school began with “one year” then “two years” and then more until it became a four-year school. At the close of the school year of 1920-21, Provo graduated students from the public high school for the first time in the city’s history. A high school yearbook of 1918 lists the names of eight students who were in the eleventh year. The ten-year period, following the close of World War I, was a time when the High School grew rapidly.
In the spring of 1924 there were 65 graduating students, and at the close of the school year of 1924-25, one hundred sixteen pupils graduated. By 1956 more than 1,000 students attended school at Provo High School. The last graduating class of 1956 had 336 students. More than thirty-five class groups emerged into life from this edifice.
Lynn K. Powell
Born August 13, 1938 in Salt Lake City, Utah, Captain Lynn K. Powell was a son of Kester T. and Ellen Niff Powell. He married Mary Maxine McFadden on March 18, 1966 in Mesa, Arizona. They had no children.
Capt. Powell graduated from high school in 1956 as a member of the last class of the old Provo High School, formerly located on this site. He was an honor student and valedictorian. He was also active in the Deca Club, United Nations Club, Math and Science Club, and the Legislative Council.
While Attending Provo High School, Capt. Powell was elected Governor of the Utah-Idaho District Key Club. Capt. Powell was an Elder of the LDS Church and he served for two and a half years in the Swiss-Austrian LDS Mission. He also attended Brigham Young University and while there was vice president of Circle K International. He graduated with honors from BYU and the AFROTC in 1964.
Capt. Powell received his pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, graduating February 5, 1966. He completed his advance trailing at Nellis Air Force Base.
U. S. Air Force Captain and pilot Lynn Kester Powell, at the age of 29, was killed in action on August 21, 1967 while on a mission over Hanoi, Vietnam.
This stone is dedicated to the memory of Capt. Powell by his classmates of Provo High School Class of 1956. His is remembered by his classmates as an American Hero. Lynn paid the supreme sacrifice which allowed all of us in the “Class of 56” to remain free and raise our children and grandchildren in a free land. He will always be remembered as a kind, gentle classmate. May he never be forgotten. Lynn, we all love you.
