Carnegie High School - Voyager Yearbook (Carnegie, PA)

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60 Years it ,, I

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The history of our Alma Mater from its beginning through a steady, unfaltering growth of . . .

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60 Years ln the year 1894 Chartiers and Mansfield bor- oughs were united into one borough called Car- negie in honor of Andrew Carnegie, the great financier and steel master. One year later a joint school board of six men was elected to consider the new boroughis edu- cational needs. They decided an institution of more advanced standing than the existing schools should be established. Many citizens of the bor- ough opposed such a school because they felt that the resulting taxes would be too high. Some felt that the unpreparedness of the children would make it difficult for them to undertake advanced work, and, also, that there was not a centrally located building which could adequate- ly house such an institution. The board, firm in their feeling that such an institution was a neces- sity in order to provide high educational advan- tages for the youth of the community, continued their preparations for opening a high school. In September, 1896, Thomas 1. George, who had been elected principal of the second ward school, gave up that office to become principal and or- ganizer of the high school. Fortunately, the W. C. T. U. building was secured to house the new high school. This building was located at the present site of the Elks' Hall and became the third high school in Allegheny County. At first, the high school education of an individual was 6 Mr. Thomas I. George to last only three years, but a fourth year was added. At that time pupils from Midway and Oakdale came to our high school for their sen- ior year. The first class was comprised of students ea- ger for a higher education. The faculty consist- ed of Mr. George and Miss Florence P. Davis. During the first year two literary societies were organized. They were named the Philoi' and the Potter.v Money obtained by a small ad- mission charge for their performances was in- vested in pictures, pianos, victrolas, and some statues, although most statues were donated by local clubs. Every student belonged to one or the other of these groups, and there was intense feeling among members, such as the rivalry to- day among modern college fraternity members. When these clubs presented their debates to the students in later years, the library was filled to capacity.