Williamsport High School - Guneukitschik Yearbook (Williamsport, MD)

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E,,,L,f'Qs- - www- I , HISTORY OF THE WILLIAMSPORT SCHOOLS by Margaret Jenkins The first public school in Williamsport was erected in 1826--one year after the General Assembly passed the Van Brodalen Act which provided for free public schools in Maryland. Mr. Eli Stake laid the cornerstone for the building in which the children of the community would receive their primary and elementary education for nearly one hundred years. ln 1924, the property was purchased by Dr. l. M. Zimmerman. As the school population increased, a two story building was erected on Church Street. Some of the well known teachers were: Mr. J. D. Wolfinger fprincipalj, Miss Mamie Schnebly, Miss Nellie Reed, Mrs. Vesta Kimler, Miss Nellie Lemen, Miss Catherine Bowser, Miss Susan Kersh- ner, Miss Jean McCardell, Mrs. Ruth Lemen, Mrs. Eshelman fMiss Marion Charltonj, Mr. Samuel Barnes, Mr. Guy Weagley, Mr. Omar T. Kaylor, Mr. William Hammaker, and Mr. Earl Troupe. On January 9, 1923, this building burned to the groundg the fire started from an overheated furnace. Although school was in session, the entire building was evacuated without injury or loss of life. The present Primary building was started the same year and completed in 1924. Until 1916 students wishing to further their education beyond the eighth grade went to Hagers- town. The pupils had to pay tuition and buy their books to go to high schools, as there were no free public high schools in Maryland until a new State School Law was passed in 1916. The following year high school subjects were taught in Williamsport. Mr. Leroy McCardell was principal. After his death, in the summer of 1917, he was succeeded by Mr. Lutz. Mrs. Vesta Kimler Lefever and Mr. Lutz were influential in having Dr. North, Maryland State Supervisor, visit the Williamsport school. The high school was accredited in 1918. Members of the first graduating class were: Melcora Gruber, Ruth Ream, and Hester Savage. The following year the County Commissioner requested the State Legislature for permission to float a bond issue for the construction of a high school building. With the help of interested citizens, Mr. George Reed, Mr. William Gower, and Mr. W. H. Miller the necessary legisla- tion was passed and work was begun October 1, 1920. It seems fitting that Miss Mamie Schne- bly who, in her forty-five years of teaching had helped to lay the foundation of learning for so many, laid on that special day the first brick of the first high school in Williamsport thus point- ing the way to new and greater opportunities for leaming. The new high school opened with Mr. Harry Bowser as principal. He was succeeded by Mr. Foster Bittle in 1924. our fmt school house 1826 Our high school building burns Jan. 9, 1923 A 3 me -X it . i 5 , - mf k

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The entire student body of W. H. S. April 1914 AXD eogcafzbn The staff takes pride in dedicating this volume of Guneukitschik to the alumni of Williamsport High School. Your whole hearted participation in the operetta 'Potomac River Showboat and your fine cooperation in helping us with the class pictures assures us that you still have a warm place in your heart for W. H. S. 705k Qffjonfenfs Dedication ------------- - - Administration QClasses '57-'56J Seniors fC1asses '55-'54 ------ - Juniors fClasses '53-'52J - - - Sophomores QC1asses '51-'50, - - - - Freshmen fClasses '49-'48, - - Junior High QClasses '47-'46y - - Favorites fC1asses '45-'44J - - Activities QClasses '43-'42y - - - - - Organizations fClasses '41-'40j - - - - Athletics fC1asses '39-'38J ---- - - Advertisements fC1asses '37-'36j - - - - Page page page page page page page Page page page Page Page 2 5 13 35 43 49 53 57 63 81 97 111

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The first ten vears marked the beginning of many activities. Clubs were popular--the French Club U46 Quatre Fois Septl. the Latin Club Qsponsored by Mrs. Eloise Keetonj, Literary Socie- ties, the Glee Club, the Dramatic Club. The Student Council was known as the Central Com? mittee. In 1925, the school paper, The Broadcaster, was started with Harry Poole as the first editor. When Malcolm Collier was editor in 1929, the paper was rated the best in its class. A commercial course was added to the curriculum in 1924 with Mrs. Eshelman as instructor. As early as 1928, W.H.S. began to be recognized as a top contender on the athletic field. That year, with Mr. Ralph Beachley as coach, the soccer team won the county championship and 'vent as far as the semi- finals in the State Championship Playoff. Tragedy struck W. H.S. the night of April 11, 1935. A Baltimore and Ohio express train crashed into a school bus at the Rockville, Md. crossing. A group of students and their instructor were returning from a special scientific demonstration at the University of Maryland. Fourteen were killedg fourteen were seriously injured. Mr. Samuel Plummer came to Williamsport as principal in 1930. Under his wise and capable leadership, Williamsport High School took its place, with honor, beside the other high schools in Washington County. An increased enrollment culminated in a new high school building in 1939. The curriculum was reorganized to include Academic, Commercial, General, and Agricultural courses with electives in home economics, music, industrial arts, and physical education. A band and a course in instrumental music was offered under the direction of Harry Kight. The first Yearbook was published by the class of 1950. In 1951, the Student Council was organized. W.H. S. can point with pride to the outstanding achievements of its students in the Special Choir, the plays, the F.F.A. , the band, the operettas, the Student Council, and in athletics. When Mr. Plummer retired in 1954, because of illness, Williamsport High School lost an understanding friend and a wise administrator. Mr. Reginald Bailey completed the year acting as both elementary and high school principal. Dr. Willard Newton became principal for the next two years. During his administration he solved many difficult problems with patience and good judgment. He was succeeded by Mr. John Carno- chan whose understanding of both teacher and pupil problems and his outstanding administrative ability have established him as an asset to both the school and the community. From its very beginning the Williamsport School has been said to be one of the outstanding educational centers in Washington County. True to its traditions, the construction of a modern elementary building will begin this year and the present junior and high school buildings are to be remodeled to meet the needs of a growing high school. New buildings, increased enrollment, and revised and expanded curriculum are but the sym- bols of students desiring to learn, a capable and forward looking administration, good teachers, parents concerned for the welfare of their children, and a community interested in the education of its future citizens. As she has done in the past, Williamsport and her schools accept the chal- lenge of tomorrow. oct. 1, 1920 Classlof 1921 Miss Mamie Schnebly lays the first brick. The first class to graduate in our auditorium st ,, ,.... 5 .a,ssm.s..',u.1.sst - - ss..s.1.slts1rstu.gms:f-sam: s2'7ais..1c-1as sr-stsnwtssfs