Pittsboro High School - Progress Yearbook (Pittsboro, IN)

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program got off to a good start. This plan had been under consideration for some time, having been advanced by the Farm Bureau in order to utilize surplus farm products. For almost 30 years it has been in successful operation, at present feeding on the average of 430 daily. Excellent assistance in the kitchen, good managers and wonderful cooks have made the cafeteria a great success. Faculty members during this period were Bernie Eggers, Mrs. Zelma Heinig, Mrs. Dorothy Lane, Mrs. Iuanita Tanselle William Schleifer, Mrs. Virginia Michael, jewel Michael, Mrs. Bennie Mae McCalment, Harry Henderson, Mrs. Reva Clancy, Carl jackson, Mr. Obrien, jack Bradford. Mrs. Heinig who was employed by trustee Parker in 1946 has the distinction of teaching 20 years, then added 8 more years as a 4-H Club leader. She and Glen Staton served here longer than any other teachers. QHigh Schoolj In 1950 while Hildon Ayers was tmstee, a new gym was built and dedicated. It was a much needed facility, erected between the grade and high school buildings almost as if it had been previously planned. The maple Hoor laid at a cost of 85,000 has lasted through many sandings and refinishings, since the gym has been used for recreation during the summer months. Since the population of the community has grown so much in the last several years, the seating capacity which seemed so adequate in the 50's and early 60's is being outgrown as there is a full house at every ball game. The gym has been the center of many activities: plays, banquets, community meetings, and commencements have been held there. It will be remembered that the speaker at the dedication of the new gym was L.V. Phillips, fonner principal of our school, who is at this time commissioner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association. There was an acute need for additional classrooms. During the trusteeship of Merle Hendricks, two class rooms on the second floor of the Grade Building were remodeled and five new classrooms, with rest rooms and furnace, were added west of the gym and connected to it with a long hall, at a cost of about S105,000.00. Later the school board added more rooms, making the elementary school very attractive, convenient, and adequate. It is possible with this new arrangement to load and imload school buses on the west side of the building where there is ample space. The history of athletics in Pittsboro School would make a separate volume in itself. From the early days when Loyal Schenck, a diminutive and well loved boy was quarterback on Pittsborois football wam, to the present time when coach Bill Compton has produced winning teams, the community is very proud, not only of the victories won, but of the attitudes, good sportsmanship, courtesy on the part of the fans, team work, and loyalty to our school. -re were the days when there was no gym, just the great out-of-doors to practice in and neighboring gyms to use for g.....es. Then some of the players of that period were Edwin Terrell, Roy Fisher, Thomas Feeney, Carroll McDonald, Percy Fowler, Omer Harlan, Ernest jones, and Paul jordan. At the same time there was a girls team that shocked the commimity by appearing in black bloomers. In 1919 a group of public spirited men organized a stock company and built a big wooden gym west and south of the grade building. Later, in 1939 while Harold Knetzer was trustee, the township bought it for 81500. It was the best gym in the coimty used by the neighboring teams, even Central Normal College. The first home game played in the new gym was in Ianuary, 1920 against F airland, Indiana with a victory for Pittsboro. Glen Hovermale was coach, C.M. Spall prin- cipal and players were Paul Robbins, Marvin Weaver, Steve Bowman, Harry Hession, Iohn Halfaker, Edward Ellis, Charles Swain, Gene Carter, Babe Ashby, and Byron Yeager. There was the team of 1922 that made basketball history by defeating Martinsville in thesectional at Mooresville. tThat was the age before county tourneys.j Shirle Essig was principal, Thomas Carmichael was coach. Pittsboro went en masse to Bloomington the next week to see the team play Manual. Members of the team were Charles Swain, Horace Swails, Eugene Carter, Paul Robbins, Byron Elmore, joe Ray Cowley, Buren Sallee, Carl and Earl Schenck. In 1926, Pittsboro again won the sectional tourney. Members of the team were: Robert Lindley, Wilfred Poland, Harold Brown, Carroll Kress, Paul Ditzenberger, with subs, Russell Powell, Edward Cowley, Vern Schenck, Kenneth Williams, Marvin Willis and Maurice Iohnson. Kress was high point man of the season with 177 points. He was also chosen captain of the All-Hendricks County Team as the outstanding player of the tourney. john Teter was principal and Ross Williams was coach. Winning is a continuing process with Pittsboro basketball teams. Glenn Hovermale was coach in 1919-20, 20-21, Tommy Carmichael in 1921-22, 22-23, Frank Glenn in 1923-24, Otha Breck in 1924-25, Ross Williams in 1925-26, 26-27, and 27- 28, Pete Fowler in 1928-29, 29-30, Lynn Turner in 1930-31, 31-32, Bill Kirtley in 1932-33, 33-34, and 34-35, Raymond Scott in 1935-36, 36-37, Louis French in 1937-38, Harry Niemeyer in 1938-39, 39-40, and Robert Leedy in 1940-41, 41- 42, and 42-43. , vu

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In due time, everything was finished and it seemed very plush, with a large stage for plays, two large assemblies, a Commerce Department, a well equipped kitchen and a large room in the basement for recreation, now the cafeteria. The only criticism was the formation of the Junior High School when the 7th 81 8th grades were brought into the high school. Protests were loud and long by those who thought their children were not getting the proper amoimt of time for English, Literature, and Spelling, which previously had been taught daily, but now 2 days a week. Complaints that high school students couldn't read blamed it on the new fangled Junior high school. Teachers in the teens, and 20's were Otha Nichols, Principal, Roy Leak, Helen Webb, Mayme Nichols Brill fstill livingj, Betty Gutherie, Genevieve Allen, C.M. Spall, Milby Stroud, Willa Swain, Josephine McCord Stevenson, L.V. Phillips, George Russell Hamilton, Shirle Essig, Alice Piersol, Claude Linton, Blanche Ashby, Frances Weaver Fisher, Leslie Lewis, Paul Linton, Katie Paige, Everett Watson, Frank Glen, Otho Breck, Ione Gentry, Mary Lewis, Jeanette Hampton, Mr. McNamara, Cecil Kelso, and Mr. Glenny who sued the township for his pay. One principal remembered was Lee Ezra Michael who believed that students should concentrate on preparing lessons for the next day. He had very definite ideas and intended that the seniors should spend their money for a curtain for the stage. The seniors had different ideas. It being the era of the Ku Klux Klan, the Wave of Patriotism swept over the senirs who finally purchased a large American flag and a Bible which cost 82200, an unheard of price then. Professor John Teter followed Mr. Michael, he was a lover of poetry and added a lovely daughter to the ranks of students. During the trusteeship of Robert Parker, two teachers came to Pittsboro High School who may well be added to the Hall of Fame: Earl Freeman and Glen Staton, and the latter remained for many years and is affectionately regarded by all students who ever went to school to him. He was friend, counselor, and teacher. Another worthy addition to the faculty in the twenties was Albert Ross Williams, a graduate of Earlham, he became coach and led the team to victory in the sectional tourney in 1926. He was a good public speaker and added talent and enthusiasm to all school activities. From Pittsboro he went to teach at Manual Training H.S. At present he and his wife are residents of the Methodist Home at Franklin. Former pupils will recall many funny incidents which were a very vital part of school. There was the day, for instance, when the county superintendent and other school dignitaries were invited to visit our school. That was always an impor- tant and extremely stiff-necked occasion with all students on their very best behavior. The night before the visit some fun loving unaturalistl' had sneaked into the building and literally annointed the desks with skimk oil which is noted for its pungent smell. Needless to relate, the visiting day was postponed. Then the birds! A whole bevy of them or so it seemed, though we later found there was only one or two, were turned loose in the auditorium and no one would confess to guilt. A real trial was held with George Reitzel, County Superintendent, present, but to this day, it remains a dark secret. It was not imusual to have a few fisticuffs between teacher and student, for there were no laws then against sparing the rod. It was an unsetting sight to see a teacher apparently tryint to choke a big boy, or bending him back over the stair rail in an effort to enforce obedience. There seems to be no record of any permanent injury resulting from such run- ins',. Whippings, shakings, and suspensions, to say nothing of irate glares were the order of the day. If a kid got a whup- pin at school, another one awaited him at home. That was long before the rights of the individual were recognized. Teachers were fully justified in disciplining pupils, it was part of their education. In 1926, John Paul Girard became principal and stayed for 7 years, much loved by faculty, students and patrons. He and wife were workers in church and community. Other faculty members employed by Harold Knetzer, trustee, during the 30's were Mae Miller, Gail Troyer, Verna and Lynn Turner, Esther McCord, May Nennecker, Helen Haynes Williams, Dessie Miles Martin, Virginia Vannice, Dorothy Corbin and Hortense Guthrie. Jewell Vaughan followed Mr. Girard, coming in 1934, and remaining until he became Hendricks County Superintendent. Ralph Black, hired by Oder Pierson, trustee, then became principal and served ably for 8 years. School felt the impact of World War II with rationing and shortages. Many teachers had entered other areas of work and it was more difficult to hire teachers. Some who were here during this period were Oren Stowers, principal, Mary Bailey, Irene Simpers, Elsa Smelser Majors, Ammy Pfeiffer, Lucille McRoberts Baker, Thelma Clem, Herbert Klausmeier, Virginia Buchanan, Altha Guernsey Leak, Henrietta Davis, Mrs. Nola Stowers, later Pete Fowler, Mrs. Ruth Hess, Lowell QBillJ Kirtley, Robert Leedy, both fine coaches and excellent teachers. In 1945 while Edgar Parker was trustee, William Logan became principal, remaining 10 years. He was a man of many talents, among them the ability to get along well with both teachers and pupils. Under his guidance, the Hot Lunch VI

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Ward Crites was coach in 1943-44, 44-45, William Logan in 1945-46, Bob Shank in 1946-47, 47-48, Bill Schlifer in 1948 49, 49-50, and 50-51, lack Bradford in 1951-52, Walter O'Brien in 1953-54, 54-55, Max Cibbs in 1954-55, 55-56, 56-57, 57-58, Bonner Allee in 1958-59, 59-60, Don Abrams in 1960-61, 61-62, 62-63, 63-64, 64-65, Larry Sparks 1965-66, War- ren Fisher in 1966-67 and Bill Compton from 1967-68 through 74-75. Do you remember old P.H.S. yells?-Pep it up, pep it up, Fight, Fight, Fight, Shake it up, shake it up, Fight, Fight, Fight, Yea, Team, Fightl- A pint, a quart, A ten gallon can, Pittsboro High School, Yea-man.-Stand on a tin can, Stand on a band stand, Who can? We can. Nobody else can! Yea Rah Burros.-Teamwork on the bleachers, Teamwork on the floor, Teamwork makes the baskets, And the baskets makes the score.-Horn and hoof, Horn and hoof, Hold the floor and raise the roof, Razzle, dazzle, zizzle, zip, Yea, Pittsboro, let it rip.-Strawberry Shortcake, Cooseberry pie, V I C T O R Y, Are we in it? Well I guess, Fifteen rahs for P H S, Rah, rah, rah, etc.-Big chief, little chief, Papoose, squaw, Pittsboro High School, Rah, rah, rah. For many years an athletic award based on scholarship sportsmanship, and attitude was given each year to the out- standing athlete in the senior class. At first it was called the American Legion Award, then was changed to the Richard Tanselle award, in honor of Richard Tanselle, a graduate of the class of 1940 who died in World War II. It was a great honor to be chosenfor this award. Pittsboro can boast many trophies and pictures of winning teams through the years. It is to the great credit of team, coach, and student body, that winning or losing, we have a courteous, respectful attitude. Sectional victories in the last two years have made the Burros a much touted team. They have made headlines in county and metropolitan papers and by good team work and all-out effort, they have an excellent record. The coach, Bill Compton, is highly regarded. As an extra bit of information, the name Burros,' was given by Dortha Bowman, an Alumni of P H S and an enthusiastic member of the rooters . She and her 3 sisters, 2 nephews tone now a coachl and a niece, Sheri Schaekel are strong defenders of the school. She thought Pittsboro could be used to name the team Burros. It will soon be a thing of the past, but all students and Alumni can look back on the name with pride and nostalgia. Scholarship has always been stressed and due honor given to those who excelled in their studies. Each year at Com- mencement exercises, the valedictorian and Salutatorian of the class are announced. It is worthy of note that from the earliest years of the high school, those who were fortunate enough to attend college or other areas of higher education have made good records, some even distinguishing themselves by being chosen for special honors. From the ranks of graduates are men and women in various fields of work, farmers, business men, lawyers, doctors, bankers, teachers, musi- cians, government employees, grain dealers, truckers, mechanics, pharmacists, actors, veterinarians, plumbers, beau- ticians, sales people, ministers, grocers, merchants, secretaries, nurses, engineers, artists, photographers, coaches, and so on and so on. In studying the list of graduates, it is hard to find many who are not usefully and gainfully employed. That is a matter of great pride to our school and community. Among the many changes which have occurred in the 80 years of our existence as a high school is the differnce in teach- ers salaries. Mentioned previously was the sum of 810.00 paid to Iohn Lineberry for a few months teaching, then later teachers received S2 a day. In the early 20,s a good salary ranged between S1000 and S1200 annual for an 8 month term. Mr. Girard, principal received a salary of S2500 the first year he was here in 1926-27. In 1930, the Latin and English teacher received 351530, the music teacher less thn 31000. In the 30,s the coach received 361600. Contract books are enlightening to examine, showing the effect as they do of the economy on the salaries of teachers. During the 40's and 50's there was a decided increase and at the present time, teachers are beginning to be paid more nearly what they have deserved. Salary schedules for recent years indicate that teachers with experience and an an A B Degree can earn from S7000 to 89000, with a Master's Degree the salary scale runs much higher. In the 501s the most important, as well as the most controversial issue to confront our township was the question of consolidation. The theory of 'Kbigger and better schools was sweeping the country during the late 40's and 50's. In many ways it was not new as the same idea was a reality in the 1900,s, when many country schools were abandoned and pupils brought into the Pittsboro Schools. It was called centralization. Many citizens studied the plan of consolidation with open minds. As happened in many communities, there was a difference of opinion which resulted in personal grievances. There were several open meetings in the school building, statistics were presented, and arguments ensued. The first step taken was the appointment of a central committee from the county and the first suggestion made was the consolidation of Pittsboro and Brownsburg Schools. This met with definite opposition. VIII