Ashley High School - Ace Yearbook (Ashley, IN)

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History of Ashley High School One day in July, 1891, a placard appeared sticking in a straw stack, located near the site of the present community building, with bold letters ‘‘ASHLEY’’, That was the beginning of Ashley. The wheels of progress began turning very rapidly. Along with this progress of a growing town came the need of a schoolhouse which was built almost immedi- ately. It was a two story, six room, red brick building with a central hall on each floor. The rooms each had a cloak room and an office was located in the east end of the upper hall, The location of this school was where the present school now stands and is still a part of it. The building was ready to occupy in December, 1892. It was opened by the school board. The first teaching staff was Superintendent William May and four grade teachers. There was no high school set up this first sho rt year. The advanced students met with the eighth grade in an assembly room on the second floor and studied advanced grade and some high school work. The regular high school course began the fall of 1893 with a four year curriculum. However, the first group who entered high school had to complete the course in three years with plenty of home work to accomplish this goal. Although the school was small, they had a library which grew so rapidly in size that it soon outgrew its space in a corner of the assembly and was moyed to the Superintendent’s office. This was not an unused library either, as much of the re- quired knowledge could only be found in its books. As the population of the town grew so did the school and by necessity the teaching force. These teachers were not ordinary ones and tribute is due them. They were ever firm in expecting good work of the students but were always kind and ready to help any student who would ask for help. The students’ friends and helpers did not end at school with the teachers, but included the janitor, Mr. Greeno. He had the qualifications necessary to deal with so many active children, Not a kinder, gentler or more thoughtful man could have held the position. His duties were many and endless as each room was heated by a large Round Oak stove which consumed cords and cords of wood to keep the youngsters warm, Because all loved this man, he was no doubt a part of the general education program of character building for both boys and girls carried wood at noon and re- cess from the outside of the building to the rooms. The first high school class began with several in number, but they dropped out one by one until at the close of three years there remained three girls, Anna Knox, Van Tippi Ling, and Zetta Cox, to graduate. School was not over for these first graduates until the end of the graduation exercises, There were no outside speakers then, The class members were required to write an oration, not less than twenty minutes in length, committed and delivered without notes at the commence- ment exercises. All three girls successfully accomplished this requirement and were presented at the end of the exercise on June 6, 1896, by Superintendent William May, the first diplomas of the School of Ashley. --Zetta May Cox

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DEDICATION The Seniors of 1951 wish to dedicate this volume of ‘ The Ace”’ to the Class of 1896, the first graduating class of Ashley High School. Zetta Cox May, Waterloo, Indiana Vantippa Ling Achemire, Auburn, Indiana Annie Knox, deceased ZETTA COX MAY VANTIPPA LING ACHEMIRE

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ADMINISTRATION RALPH HAMMAN LLOYD BRAND CARL F, STALLMAN Trustee Trustee Superintendent 1950 1951 De Kalb County Schools FRED FREDERICK Principal Tri-State A.B. Columbia M.A.