Atlanta High School - Atalanta Yearbook (Atlanta, IL)

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Atlanta High School, 1919 At the beginning of the present school year, the enrollment of the high school was but fifty-five; five years ago the A. H. S. enrolled ninety-six. The class of ’14 had twenty-two graduates, the class of T9 but seven. This condition is partially due to the failure of country boys and girls in continuing their education. It is now up to the Hoard of Education, the Faculty, the Pupils, and the Alumni of the A. II. S. to build up the enrollment of the school. The keynote of the high school atmosphere is found throughout this annual, and its chief objective is to interest the country people in the A. H. S. We feel that the country people do not realize the advantages of having a school like A. H. S., and we wish to emphasize the advantages of Atlanta over neighboring schools. The present indications for our school next year are most excellent, and we hope to see more enrolled than ever before. The war has been the greatest obstacle to the enlargement of the school, and now that it is over, we hope to make next year a great year in the annals of A. II. S. with a large enrollment to retain the true spirit of old Atlanta High. J. U. P„ T9. 4

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Atlanta High School, 1919 Reviewing the School Year On September 9, the A. H. S. opened with three changes in the faculty: Miss Haffner succeeding Miss Richardson, Mr. Darnall being in service was succeeded by Mr. Romig, and Miss Sill followed Miss Huffington in charge of the Domestic Art and Science. Mr. Romig was secured for the position of superintendent of schools. The enrollment was about fifty-five, the same as last year. The classes were just well started when the influenza epidemic struck the community and the school was closed for five weeks. Beginning November Id, school was again in session until December Id. when Mr. Sugg, together with several high school and grade teachers, became ill with the tin. Thereupon, the Board closed school again until December 30. )n this date school opened and has been in continuous session. On November 15 the basketball season started with a game at Stanford. Following this game, the A. H. S. had to cancel six games because of the flu. On March 1 the basketball season closed with the tournament at Decatur. Thus ended a very successful year. The athletic spirit of the school is shown by the organization of the Girls' Basketball Club with a membership of twenty. This was the first team since 1914. The good results obtained were due to the coaching and efforts of Miss Sill. Although the State High School Athletic Association forbids girls’ teams participating in interscholastic sports, the girls expect to play town teams this coming year, and they expect great competition. In January Mr. Romig resigned as superintendent, and Mr. Darnall, who had received his discharge from service in December, was secured as superintendeht for the remainder of the year. The first semester was lacking in social life because of the flu. but the second semester opened with a vim; the Seniors gave a Backwards War Party with a decided success. The Sophomores joined the procession and came on a few weeks later with a Masquerade. During the last two weeks of school there will be hikes, moonlight picnics, and general good time parties. Among the innovations introduced this year, was the formation of a chess club by Mr. Sugg. A tennis club has been organized for the remainder of the school year and it will extend through the summer. The Seniors are but seven, weak in numbers but strong in spirit. This year the Baccalaureate will be held at the Methodist Church, Sunday evening. May 25, with Mr. Ward as speaker. Commencement on Thursday, May 29, will lie in the Christian Church. Dr. Walter Aitken of Urbana, will deliver the address, “Colored Spectacles. School for the Seniors will end one week earlier than for the rest of the school. This time is to be spent in finishing old work, in having social functions, and sprucing up for the Commencement. 3

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Atlanta High School, 1919 THE HO.MK K X) ).Ml( S DEPARTMENT 1 lie Home Economics Department was installed four years ago, but since has been changed to meet the requirements of the Smith-Hughes Bill, a bill passed by Congress l°r the purpose of increasing the number of girls taking sewing and cooking. It is an excellent showing for any school to meet the requirements of this bill, and the Atlanta High School has been able to meet these requirements. Next year in addition to the courses taught this year, there will be courses in home-nursing and serving. An excellent course in domestic art or sewing is given. In this course, a complete outfit of underwear, a gingham, a voile, and a child’s dress with many other articles of clothing are made. Next year it is hoped to give a full course in designing. These changes will make the Atlanta High School one of the best small schools in the state. MANUAL TRAINING In 1915 the Board of Education with the assistance of Mr. Shirck introduced manual training in the Atlanta Public Schools. At that time the shop was equipped with tools and benches more completely than schools the size of A. H. S. usually are. Since then, a jointer, band-saw, and a grinder have been bought, making the school one of the best equipped shops in the state. Since Mr. Sugg has taken charge of the work many additional improvements in the way of tools and lockers have been added. In another year, a lathe will be added, making without doubt the best equipped shop in this section of the state. Atlanta offers three years of work in the manual training department, two of regular manual training, and one year of mechanical and architectural drawing. Any boy who is considering an engineering course can secure the best of preparation in manual training, drawing, and mathematics as the basis of his course in the A. H. S. Our shop is an unusual opportunity for the boys interested in construction of useful articles in wood. 5