Sapulpa High School - Sapulphan Yearbook (Sapulpa, OK)

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Member THE first class to graduate from the school after it was moved, consisted of two pupils. After this the high school classes were discontinued because they were not well enough attended to be self-supporting. Washington school was next added to the system. The high school work was resumed and classes were held on the second floor of the new building. Work in the ninth grade was offered in 1903. In 1904 the sophomore year was added and a grade was added each year until there were four years of high school. The first senior class consisting of four members, two boys and two girls, graduated in 1907. The commencement exercises were held in the opera house on West Dewey because the high school had no auditorium. Other buildings were added, one by one, until now we have one of the best and most modern school systems in the state. Our own high school was built in 1919. The enrollment is now about three thousand. The Sapuipa school system consists of seven ward schools, the High School, and the Booker T. Washington School which is for colored children. The Sapuipa schools are under the control of the Board of Education whose members are responsible to the community. This board, which spends many hours planning the education of the boys and girls of this community consists of six members, one elected from each ward. The students appre.'iate Sapulpa’s excellent school system and try to show their gratitude by assuming the responsibilities of good citizens. Lucile Witte. Page 9 }•

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m ' Clerk FORTY years ago Sapulpa was a mere village consisting of a few stores and a livery stable, in the midst of a wilderness. Transportation in and out of Sapulpa was difficult since there was only one ra'lroad which was built in 1886 and a few cow trails. In 1895 the first school was established in the small office of the livery stable, which was located at the corner of Main and Dewey streets. There were ten pupils, each of whom furnished his own desk and books. The pupils used the old books formerly used by their parents. Therefore no two books were alike. Some of the desks were wooden boxes while others were real desks. Although awkward pieces of furniture, these desks were the pride of the carpenter who constructed them. The first school board consisted of four members, as follows: Dr. J. S. McAlester, Mr. Bill Whiteman, Mr. J. F. Eagan, and Mr. J. C. Menifee. The only member now living is Mr. J. C. Menifee. This hoard chose for teacher, Miss Cassic Medders who had finished the fourth reader. She was paid one dollar a month by each of her pupils for a term of three months. Within a few months a one room school was built where the court house now stands. Colonel Dodd was the teacher. Later Dewey College was built on the hill directly north of the present High School. The first high school classes in Sapulpa were held in Dewey College. Dewey College was soon purchased and moved to the present court house site. - 5( Page 8

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E. O. Shaw Superintenedent of City Schools I wish to take advantage of this opportunity to extend to the senior class my appreciation for the loyal spirit in which they have conducted themselves under the present abnormal conditions. We believe that you will forever uphold the cherished traditions of your high school, namely: loyalty to its purposes; high standards of scholarship; honesty; morality; and a never-dying respect for those who have made it possible for you to have the opportunity of a high school education. With unlimited confidence our community looks to you as citizens of ‘ the new deal who will soon assume the full responsibility of community, state, and national leaders in all the fields of human endeavor. No disappointment is anticipated for we believe you would sooner let the bright sun for its last time, sink to rest, sooner let the starry hosts be torn from their setting, than permit one word of reproach to be spoken against your school, your state, your nation, and the honored brave who have sacrificed their lives on our Country’s bleeding altar that you may have that freedom which they won and have maintained for you. E. O. Shaw. Page 10