Central High School - Doubloon Yearbook (Columbus, OH)

Page 20 text:

1 JF Page Sixteen 'kk fC 55 ?. F? :- 4' 'mm ,,.f-nh now our Assembly Hall. The first class had no class president, the highest honor, that of being valedictorian, was awarded Miss Virginia Howell. Her address, delivered at that time, appears elsewhere in this publication. Only two members of the first class are living, Miss Virginia Howell and Mrs. Julia Diemer Freeman. MRS. JULIA FREEMAN. '63 MISS VIRGINIA HOWELL, '63 The faculty at that time consisted of George H. Twiss, principal, W. G. Tucker, Miss M. B. Treat, Miss M. S. Prentiss and Miss A. V. Thomas. In the late sixties and early seventies practically every subject that was taught was required. The languages consisted of English, German, Latin and Greek. Under the head of mathematics came algebra, geom- try and trigonometryg under science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and physiology. During the seventies four courses, the German-English, Latin- English, and Classical, all requiring four years, and the English, a three- year course, were offered in the High School, but the English and Classical courses did not prove popular, the number taking Greek varying from seven to seventeen during the seventies. In the report of Henry Olnhausen, president of the Board of Education, 1878-79, the recommendation was made that the English and Classical courses be abolished and the Latin-English and German- English courses be retained, since the large majority of the school patrons are decidedly in favor of a course involving the study of either Latin or German.

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i x 11 if-gm Page Fifteen : 2 all -,l school rooms and a prin- cipal's office and the third story contained the chem- istry laboratory, a lecture room and a class room. In the fall of 1862, when the new Columbus High School was occupied, there was no special celebration to mark the occasion. A graduate of that class, when asked to explain this apparent omission, said, The pupils were so glad to have an entire building to themselves instead of the one floor and two rooms they had occupied in the State Street School, that they felt a celebration was not necessary. Every morning the pupils marched up to chapel for songs and prayer. Essays written by the pupils, six or eight each week, were read in the Chapel every Friday. Often the topics were assigned, but occasionally this was left to the choice of the students. Pen, ink and paper were used only for the compositions written on Fridays, graduation exercises, and in examinations. Slates sufficed for all class work. The girls had gymnastics on Fridays in the Chapel. For these exercises they wore red blouses and black skirts. Anyone receiving below 50 in his examinations was considered a failure in his school work. The school year, which started in September, was held for a period of nine months. School hours were from nine to twelve and from two to four. The ancient pump, which is still standing in the east yard, fur- nished drinking water for the school. In the first class to be graduated from this building in 1863 there were only twelve pupils, nine girls and three boys. The commencement exercises, in which each graduate took part, were held in the Chapel, GEORGE H, TWISS First Principal of this Building

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1 - N Vi 15'-X Page Seventee :T Q ,N ...i 51 -KC ll A V SIGMA PHI lN THE LATE SIXTIES Arthur Smythe, left, top row: Abram Brown second from right, top' row. Dr. Mendenhall middle of second rowg A. C. Farr right, second row. First row: E. O. Randall, Alexander Smith, john Calloway In his president's address, appearing in the Public School Report for 1877-78, Dr. Starling Loving stated that for nearly twenty years no new branch of study had been added to the curriculum, although great changes had been made in the manner of treating the subjects. In 1872 instruction in drawing was given in the Columbus schools by the penmanship teacher. Later a system of industrial drawing was introduced and Professor William Briggs of Boston was employed to instruct the teachers and plan a complete course. In the fall of 1875 a room was specially fitted up for art in the High School and was sup- plied with a generous assortment of examples and models. The school always had good music. Efficient teachers were em- ployed and under their instruction many students developed real talent. Boys and girls were not separated. The entire school was trained together. Among the early teachers of music was Professor Hermann Eckhardt, whom many of the early graduates will remember as the leading musician of his day in Columbus. Chapel exercises were held every morning in the Assembly Room, during which there were readings from the Bible, prayer and the singing of hymns and patriotic songs. At this time announcements were made and occasional speakers were asked to address the school.