Paris High School - Owl Yearbook (Paris, TX)

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.,-I4-- and varied experience. The present writer will always re- call with pleasure Mr. Christian's relation of his first ac- quaintance with Shal4espeareg of how a new heaven and a new earth were opened before the lad, and how the pamph- let, containing but a single play, was fairly read to pieces. So early, then, did he reveal that sensitiveness to the high and worthy things of life, which has made his teaching an inspiration. l After spending three years in the Academy of West- minster College, and four years in the collegiate depart- ment, Mr. Christian was graduated inthe classical course in 1877, receiving the'degsee of lVIaster of Arts in 1881. In' his senior year, he won the oratorical prize in the MlSSOL1l'l intercollegiate contest at Liberty, and represented Missou1'i in the interstatef contest at Madison, VVis., the same year. He was elected,'in IQOQ, president of the Alumni Society of his college. i Mr. Christian was Superintendent of the High School at Weatherford, Tex., 1877-783 and from 1881 to 1884 was Professor of Greek in Fosterfs Academy at St. Louis. In the latter year began his connection with the Paris High School, which has continued to the present time-what we must regard as the great work of his lifeg for, to Paris people at least, the training of their youth for so many years and the development of their school cannot seem trivial or unimportant. This school had been graded and za secondary depart- ment organized, some years before, but its chaotic condi- tion can be appreciated, by teachers aft least, when it is known that the superintendent had been changed almost yearly. Say two men, who have been ideintified with the di- rection of the school almost from its organization, one of them an early teacher in it, t'Considering previous condi- tions, the highest praise that can be paid Mr. Christian is, that he has been able to stay in Paris for twenty-seven

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Q 4 I ir. . - -U -H -mate .-A .4 ,1.- ,ni-..5gg,..t-:.' ' , ffl !,.. ,Ii E 3 GATT Qqxpmzeciatiulr 4 : 0 the people of Paris and lN'lot.rog county and to those, who within the last quartt r-century have gone out from them to help build up the Newer West, the name of the Paris High School brings to mind not an institution but an individual. This results from the tact that, for twenty- seven years, one man has been at its head, and his influence has become its tradition., Instructors have some and gone, the course ot study has been revolutionized, the Board of Education has been almost completely altered in composi- tion, graduates have married and their children, in turn, have completed its courseg even the olgl Hsehool house, endeared to so manyhearts by the memories otyouthful joys and woes, has givenyplace to a new and Vmodern build- ing. Still, sthrough all changes, they same genial and cul- tured nature Ytas impressed itselt alike upon' student-body and community. ' y 'S A ' y VVilliam Douglas Christian, since 1884 Superintendent ot' Schools at Paris, was ,born in 1855, at Cassville, Barry county, lVIissouri. ln I863lllSli2tll1Ql'WZl5 conhned at Spring- field, in the historic',court house on the square Cnow about to be replaced byginevv structurej by the Federal govern- ment, and so Mr. Christian started to school in that city, on his eighth birthday. His most intimate acquaintances alone can have any great knowledge of his early life, for his ex- treme modesty prevents him from speaking much of bim- seltg and only from chance remarks, let fall in familiar con- versation, does one obtain an Occasional glimpse of his rich

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' -r u- u,. 51-2' , rgv-I'-S has fue....'--12-gaiza.-f:.u ' f t - ' l3f1'.lFW'E'f !4f-EY?G- ' t .-15... yearsf' VVe must remember, too, thattin those days there was no University articulation, no State Course of Study, no active supervision by the Department ot Education, to give some continuity and coherence to the work duringthe rapid sequence of changes. H S The young Greek professor found that, for. graduation, no positive requirements in foreign languages were made, and that only three students in the school had had more than .1 1- one vearis work in Latin, Which language alone was offered. Under Mr. Christianis influence, two years' Work in a for- eign language is required of every student, instruction is given in Latin and German, and Greek long had a place in the curriculum. The proficiency of his pupils in the classi- cal languages is recognized throughout the State, and in all schools their work is accepted at face value. The progress ofthe school in other departments has been equally marked, but the classics are Mr. Christian's specialty, and this arti- cle is concerned rather with the man, than with the school upon which he has stamped his personality. One of the greatest elements of Mr. Christian's workin Paris is his peculiar charm and happiness as an instructor. Work in his subjects is always prepared, and prepared well. Students, lazy and uninterested under other teachers, quick- en into industry and life inihis classes. His long experience and ripe Culture furnish him with a grasp of matter and a Wealth of illustration Which cannot fail to appeal to an intel- ligent boy or girl.. One of the gentlemen before quoted says: 'fl have had many a boy say to me, 'l had planned to quit school after this term, but l'll be in Mr. Christian's class next year, so I'm going to stay.' He considers the individual student, his inclinations and his needs. His ac- quaintance, as a rule, with the chi1d's whole school careerg with that of his parents also, in many cases, with his envir- onment and heredity, tit Mr. Christian for such a task as no one else is, or can be, short of the same long and continu-