RALPH L. HEIFNER, principal of the high school and superintendent of the city schools at Gaston, has in his experience demonstrated unusual qualifications as a schoolman, and the community of Gaston in particular has high praise for him as an administrator and in his success in building a constructive program there. Mr. Heifner was born at Manilla, Indiana, January 8, 1905, son of James A. and Leslie (Sharp) Heifner and grandson of John Heifner. His grandfather came to Indiana from Texas, settling in Rush County. He was a Union soldier at the time of the Civil war and his occupation was farming. He is buried at Manilla and his widow is still living at the old homestead. James A. Heifner was born and reared at Manilla, attended public schools in Rush County and is still active as a farmer. He and his wife now reside near Charlottesville and both are interested in the work of the Christian Church there. Leslie Sharp was born and reared in Rush County and was educated in local schools. They have two Sons, both of whom are educators. Edwin B. Heifner, connected with the public schools of Mishawaka, Indiana, married Mary Edith Martin, of Greenfield. Ralph L. Heifner attended public schools in Rush County, graduating from the Charlottesville High School in 1923. In the intervals of his work as a teacher he attended the Ball State Teachers College at Muncie, from which he received the Bachelor of Science degree in 1928. He has also taken special graduate work at the University of Minnesota. Mr. Heifner became connected with the Gaston High School in 1926 and has been principal since 1928, in addition to which he also has responsibility of superintendent of the public schools there. He is a member of the Indiana State Teachers Association, the Delaware County Teachers Association and the National Education Association. Mr. Heifner is a member of the Navajo Club, is affiliated with Matthews Lodge No. 641, A. F. and A. M. He votes independently, is a member of the Christian Church, and in the absence of a church of that denomination at Gaston teaches a class of young men in the Methodist Sunday School. He married at Indianapolis, July 23, 1924, Miss Florence E. Lowe, daughter of Roy and Golda (Addison) Lowe. Her parents live on a farm near Charlottesville, Indiana, and both are earnest members of the Christian Church there. Her father is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles. They have two daughters, Mrs. Heifner and Genevieve, the latter of whom is a trained nurse at the Methodist Hospital at Indianapolis. Mrs. Heifner graduated from the Charlottesville High School in 1923 and spent one year in Butler University. She is a member of the Woman's Club and the Eastern Star Chapter. Mr. and Mrs. Heifner have two children, Keith Duane and Rosella Jean.