Demotte High School - Keen Keener Yearbook (Demotte, IN)

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I II I YFACULTYFACULTY

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A two-story frame building was erected on the former town site; two teachers were employed and school opened September, 1890. Grades one to three, inclusive, were in the Primary room, and grades four to eight, inclusive, were known as the Upper Grades. The Primary was taught by Essie (Fairchild) Erwin, of DeMotte, and the Upper Grades by the late Edward G. Warren, of Lawton, Okla. Their salaries were $1.50 and $1.90, respectively. This two-room frame building was used for school purposes until 1914, when the first portion of the present brick building was made available. A demand for more advanced training had been met. A high school principal and three teachers comprised the new staff and the 1914 Freshman class was initiated. In 1918 DeMotte High School, which was accredited at that time, graduated its first class consisting of three girls. It is pleasing to recall that the three girls qualified and came into the schools as grade teachers. There was no class of 1919, the Junior class of the previous year, consisting of one student, had moved away. In 1920 the standard had been raised, a high school commission had been granted and one student was graduat- ed. It was no longer necessary for the boys and girls of Keener township to go away from home for high school training, or be deprived of the privilege of a high school education. Consolidation was now uppermost in the minds of Keener township’s school people and by 1919 all the country district schools had been closed. An addition was made to the DeMotte school to accommodate the student body and all school children in Keener Township were transferred to Keener Twp. Consolidated. Old Center, District No. 3, had at last reigned supreme. The Six-Six Plan was adopted and an 8-months term mandatory. By 1929 there was an enrollment of more than 300 students, a principal, and eight teachers were contract- ed. In 1933 it was necessary to have more class rooms, and a 2-roomed, frame building was built. These rooms are used for the first and second grades. The DeMotte High School has graduated 17 classes, ranging in number of students from one to 18, in all a total of 147. Of this number, 29 percent have entered institutions of higher learning. Many of the graduates are holding responsible positions in both business and professional fields. In the spring of 1936, this school like the Chambered Nautilus, had again outgrown its confines of building and faculty. A second addition was built, completed for use Sept. 6, the beginning of this present school term. The building in which we assembled Tuesday, October 20, 1936, to inspect, accept, and dedicate. The DeMotte school now has an enrollment of 335. Under the leadership of County Superintendent Ira L. Huntington, Principal Wm. May, and Trustee Simon Groet, twelve teachers are courageously attempting to assist in doing the maximum amount of standardized work at a minimum expense. To be satisfied with present conditions would foster stagnation. To demand more and better things warrant progress. We will mark progress by moving to our new consolidated high school next year. 4

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Principal Superintendent KENNETH BLAD B.S. Indiana State M.S. Butler JAMES MOORE B.S. Central Normal — M.S. Purdue Superintendent’s License — Purdue ROBERT CAREY B.S., M.S. Ball State University Assistant Superintendent President: Clarence Duttlinger Secretary: Bob Cheever Wesley Meyers, Donald Korth, Bud Belstra, Wilbur Hoffman, Harry Miller WAYNE CRAWFORD B.S. Indiana State M.S. Indiana State U niversity Secretary MARSHA MUSCH Assistant Principal