Lancaster High School - Vidette Yearbook (Lancaster, PA)

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JOHN PIERSOL MCCASKEY HIGH SCHOOL Commencement Activities V JANVAM' 23, 1038 HAH'ALAI'l!EA'I'E SEIUION Fllcsu' Iimvoluilizlu f'III'I:l'II HBV. VVILLIAM II. ISOLLMAN, Minister .I,xxr'A1:Y 25, 1938 SENIOR EXERUISES SENIOR PROM XVINI' -Irxlolc Illull GYMxAslI'M -IANIIARY 27, 1938 VOM M EN! 'EM ENT iXI'IlI'l'OIlII'M, Boys Il1'1I,11IN4:

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A Brief History of the Boys' High School in Lancaster The first Boys' Iligh School was founded in 1780 by John Yates, however, due to the ill 'temper of the teachers the school was closed. In 1787 1+'i-ankliu fiollege was instituted, which later led to the organization of the Lancaster County Academy: from the academy evolved the present high school system in 1840. The first building was situated at the rear of the First Presbyterian Ohurch on East Orange Street. This was the humble beginning of 'the second oldest boys' high school in Pelmsylvanih. In 1850 the site was changed to Uhestnut and Prince Stree't's and remained here until 1876. Samuel E. SV. Becker, a noted linguist. was one of the tirst principals. He was succeeded in 1857 by John S. Crumbaugh, who was succeeded by William Van Lear Davis. who was in turn followed in 1864 by Dr. J. P. Mctfaskey, commonly known as. Old Jack. Dr. McCaskey served ably and well for 50 years. It was during this time that the school was moved to its present site i11 1870. Previous to Ilr. MctTaskey's principalship, Rev. tfoliburn served, and it was he who introduced the spring and fall observance of Arbor Day into the Pennsylvania schools. In 1906 Dr. McCaskey was succeeded by A. IG. Kraybill, who resigned ill 1908, and was succeeded by li. W. Fisher. who served until 1930. It was during this period that 'the present building' was dedicated in 1915. The fountain in front was presented by A. C. Welchans, who also directed the building of the school. In 1032 Mr. B. B. II0l'l' took over the otiice of principal and has receintly been elected principal of the John Picrsol Mctfaskey Memorial High School. Retrospection May 27, 190-I was an ideal day, and an important one in the school history of Lan- caster, for it was 'on that day 'that the new Stevens High School was dedicated .Lo the people of Lancaster in lll0llIOI'X of the great advocate of education, 'Fhaddeus Stevens. Teachers and pupils of all the city schools assembled to witness the laying of the cornerstone at the location of what was to become the most lavishly constructed high school for gi1'ls in the State of Pennsylvania. In honor of 'the occasion. a program was arranged as follows: Music by the High School Orchestra. directed by Professor Carl 'l'horbahn. Invocation, Reverend Emil Meister. . Vocal IIIIISIC by 'the Boys' and Girls' High Schools. directed by Professor t'arl Matz. Laying of the cornerstone by Honorable David Mt-Mullen. President lof Lancaster School Board. Music by the combined High Schools. Address by Honorable Nathan C. Schaeifer. State Supt. of Public Instruction. Benediction, Reverend J. H. Dubbs, President of I+'ranklin and Marshall. Music by High School Orchestra. I11to this ctornerstonef wvere placed the following articles: List of tea-chers and janitors, and their salaries: city clerk's manual: copies of the Intelligencer Journal, Examiner, Morning News, and New Era papers publis,hed in this city: copy of the dedicaltion exercises and the annual report of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. It was not until January, 15206. however. thai the six teachers, namely: Rachel I . Jackson, Ida Ii. MacMillan, Bella Weikzel, Mary M. Musselman. Clara U. Gompf and Kate Sheetz and their pupils moved into the new building with Dr. Ezra M. Sparlin, of Rochester, New York, as its tirst principal. Carl Matz and Carl Thorbahn were in charge of the music department of both 'the boys' and girls' schools, followed by Miss Margaret Humphreville, who later became Supervisor of Music in the city schools. I11 1910. Dr. Sparlin resigned his position to enter the real estate business in Roch- ester, and Mr. H. E. Slagen was elected to till the vacancy then created. The curriculum of the Stevens Ilitgh School then was much 'the same as it is today, but extra-curricular activities differed in many respects, Varsity athletics, for example, were carried on i11 the old Franklin and Marshall College gymnasium. now the campus house, and whole-hcar'tedly supported by the student body as a major part of the sehool's activities. Today, however, varsity athletics are no longer a part of the physical edu- cation program i11 the girls' building. During the years 1916 and 1917, high school boys moved to Stevens High School while a new building was being erected for 'them to relieve crowded conditlions. and extra-curricular activities and study periods were abolished, so that they could attend classes from 8:00 to 12:15 and the girls from 1 :00 to 5:15. In September, 1920. Dr. Stacy H. Peters, became principal of Steveins High School and remained i11 that position until September 1937, when the school was declared the girls' building of the John Piersol Mct'askey Hifrh School headed by Professor Benjamin B. Herr, former principal of the Boys' Building. w

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Retrospect and Prospect The grauluation of tl1e class of Mid-38 marks an important epoch in the school history of Lancaster. Next semester for the tirst time, we shall have one senior high school with all our boys and girls in one building under one faculty. Much has been accom- plished with Mid-38's help and co-op-eration during '.he past semester, but the tinal con- summation will have becn reached only when, as one school. we move into our fine new building with its splendid facilities and enlarged equipment. As we make this change, we are not unmindful of the untiring efforts exerted by those who are responsible for the maintenance and enlargement of our secondary school program. The citizens of Lancaster 'through the Board of Education and with the leadership of Superintendent Gress are doing everything possible to provide educational opportunities not only for those who desire to be, but. also for those who must be ill sthool. For these services. we should acknowledge our indebkedncss with giateful hearts as we enter into our rich heritage. In like manner we shall ever hold in loving remembrance: and affection a great teacher who. for tifty years of active and vigorous life in the old high school, left the impress and ennobling stamp of character upon so many of his pupils that he yet lives in the lives of the citizens cf this community. and for whom they have tittingly named our new school, not only to honor Dr. Mcfaskey, but that his life aml his teachings may be an inspiration tlllti his' mtemory a benediction to many generations. t'hanging ideas of values i11 education are iittingly and properly expressed in chang- ing programs of education. The school of today must continue to provide a 'thorough tiaining not only for those who wish to prepare for the professions, but also for that larger group whose formal schooling is complexed in the secondary school. Expericncc has shown that the academic course with its emphasis on languages and mathematics is ill suited to as many as sixty to sixty-tive per cent. of 'the youth enrolled today. XVe believe that in our new high school we shall be able to provide equal opportunity to a widening circle of young people. The high school of twenty or forty ycars ago served its purpose well at a time when business as well as education operated along simpler lines. But just as business and industry have been sensitive to social and economic progress, so education has been and should be equally sensitive to social and economic changes. If education is. as it should bc. the adjustment ef the school to the capacitieet, il1'f9l't'SiS and needs of all who avail themselves of education, then the program must' be extensive, varied, and adjustable. The school nmst he able 'io select an educational diet for each learner on the basis of his needs as ti0't'9l'lllilll'ti by a careful diagnosis based on an adequate guidance program. The particular advantage of the large school consists in the more varied program, the greater number of curricula. and the larger number of practical opportunities which may and can be provided to meet individual needs and tilffvPI'G'11C6S among pupils. Education is much more than a mental process. It is living-not just preparation for living-and, therefore, Sllftllili contain all the elements and experiences which modern living presents. The program of studies of the modern high school should contain a large number of subjects illlti activities which enter into the American life of today. It should contain music and art. health teaching and physical education, current events and modern p1'oble1us. medical and dental services, home-making and vocational 'train- ing, safety education and sportsmanlike driving, education for the worthy use of leisure time, and character development. In our new building we shall be able to furnish all of this program in a larger and more satisfactory manner. Our school will strive to minister to the whole personality of the learner in preparing and guiding a citizenship capable of making our democracy work. Some one has said that wlnrn you see the railroad s.ta.tion you know what 'the railroad company thinks of the coinmunity, when you sec the postotiice you know what the government thinks of the community, but when you see the school buildings you know what the people think of themselves. Lancaster is proud of its boys and girls. May all of the present and future school citizens show proper apprerciation of what has bee11 and is so generously provided for E hem. This can be do.ne in no more acceptable way than by making the vctry best use of their enlarged opportunities. You cannot rise above the level of what you think. You cannot think above the level of what you know. I I fl' I One .of the strangest ideas is that o-ne's education is contined to the yetars spent in school. The infinitely larger part of education is obtained in 'the school of life and every graduate should plan for his own continuous education. Throughout life a man's job is his school. This is a place off beginnings not endings. May your farewell and gradua- tion be a genuine commenccment. Our very best wishes for your success and happiness go with you into larger fields of service. This is the year we observe the t'entennial t'elcbration of Horace Mann-the father ot' public school education. May each one remcrmber those last words of his last com- mencement address: I beseech you to 'treasure up in your hearts these my parting words: Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity. B. B. HERR, Principal.