Casey High School - Flame Yearbook (Casey, IL)

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CASEY TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY In 1892, the oil industry in some sections of the country had been developed to a high degree, but in Casey it was unheard of, as yet. But in this same year, the High School industry or organization was advanced to such an extent that a class of three was graduated. Along with the advancement of the oil industry came advancement in our school system, better equipment, management, buildings and recognition as an institution of value to the people within its jurisdiction. The Casey Township High School was established in December, 1915, composed of Casey township in Clark county and districts 4 and 5 in Cumberland county. The school board was elected in January, 1916, and in March of that year, bonds of $70,000 were voted on. for the erection of a new building. Construction on the new building started in March, 1917, and considering the abnormal condition of the times, the work proceeded as rapidly as could be expected. Shortage of laborers and material caused an unavoidable delay. Nev ertheless, in September, 1918, the building was fully equipped and ready for occupancy. The Casey Township High School is located four blocks east and three blocks north of the intersection of Main Street and Central Avenue, which is the heart of the business district of the city. The grounds, consisting of thirteen acres, furnish room for any part of the work in agriculture, also a campus, tennis court and gridiron. The high school building is a beautiful structure of stone and brick and increases the material beauty of the city- and surrounding country. The study hall furnishes space for approximately 400 students. The gymnasium is one of the best in this section of the state, being 72 ft. long, 52 ft. wide, and 18 ft. high. On one side is a gallery where three hundred spectators may sit comfortably, and on the other a stage, 16 ft. by 22 ft. When the gymnasium floor is filled with chairs, it provides room, with a seating capacity of approximately a thousand. This offers exceptional advantages for community activities. On the first floor are the principal’s office, library, six class rooms and two toilet rooms. In the corridor of the first floor is a splendid trophy case, bulletin board, and noteworthy pictures. On the upper floor are three laboratories — Physics, Chemistry and Biology; also the science lecture room, two class rooms, Dean of Girls’ office, three commercial department rooms, and a teachers’ rest room. In the basement on one side is located a locker room and shower for the boys. Also a large, well-lighted manual training room, and a large agriculture room with solarium. On the other side are the girls’ locker and shower rooms, a kitchen, modern in every way with a fully-equipped dining room, adjacent. Opening into the dining room is a sewing room. These two rooms are connected by folding doors, and can be converted into one large room when necessary. The equipment of the Casey Township High School building is modern throughout. The principal’s office on the first floor is well furnished with all modern conveniences for an office of this character. The study hall is provided with adjustable desks that can be fitted to a pupil of any size. The recitation rooms are equipped with pedestal arm chairs. The laboratories are furnished with furniture and apparatus to give all experimental work under especially favorable conditions. The building is steam heated and ventilated by the fan system which insures a constant supply of fresh air. Gongs located throughout the building, regulated by a master clock in the principal’s office, ring automatically. Five fire alarms have been installed this year in the following rooms: office, Page fourteen

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OUR JANITORS The Casey Township High School oil drilling institution, although well equipped in every phase, would seem very incomplete if our competent janitors were not a part of our drilling force. We are indebted to them for maintaining the cleanliness, heat and light of the building, which is conducive to study. If our surroundings were not so pleasant, if the rooms were not kept clean and warm, our school life would not be so successful. We take this opportunity of extending our sincere thanks to Messrs. Davis, Watts and Hoyt for the many tasks which they perform to make it so pleasant for us here in Casey High School. Page thirteen

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Y i boiler room, manual training room, kitchen and chemistry laboratory. Fire drills were held at various intervals throughout the year. Each room is connected with the office by a telephone system, which invariably saves many steps. In fact, nothing has lieen left out that would add to the efficiency and convenience of the school. Although the graduates were always given liberal credit for work done here, we were not fully accredited with the University of Illinois until 1912. Since that time we have maintained our high standing and now the school is a recognized, accredited member of the North Central Association. Our graduates are readily admitted to the U. of I. and other schools of equal rank, without examination. Our school has grown by leaps and bounds; in 1916 the enrollment was sixty, and in 1926 and ’27 our students numbered more than four hundred. The vocational subjects—cooking, sewing, manual training, agriculture, French and commercial work were offered for the first time in 1918. In 1918 the faculty consisted of ten members. The curriculum has been greatly enlarged, and the faculty now consists of twenty-one members, including a Dean of Girls, and Librarian. School is not only a preparation for life; it is life, and habits pupils learn in school will invariably appear in their business life. Regular attendance is insisted upon and, if for any reason a pupil is tardy or absent, a written excuse must be presented before the pupil returns to class. Casey Township High School is an institution representing the interests of the people of this community, and for this reason, and many others, they should interest themselves in its activities. As the oil industry is partly responsible for our wonderful school building, our splendid apparatus and equipment, it is fitting to use the oil well industry and idea as a motif and theme for our year book. While our high school was in its infancy in 1892, the oil industry sprang rapidly into existence in 1904 and reached its height ten or fifteen years later. On the other hand our school continued to grow steadily and has become a bigger and better school with every year. Casey High School has a notable string of victories to its credit. In the spring of 1926, the school won first in music and literary contest, first in county chorus contest, first in tennis tournament of the Eastern Illinois High School League, and first in the triangular track meet with Robinson and Marshall. The Basketball team of 1925-26 won first place in the county and district tournaments and third place in the sectional meet. First place in the State Typing Contest was won through the proficiency of Hilda Dehl, who was sent to New York City in October. 1926, and returned as winner of the World’s School Championship and the Alfred E. Smith Trophy. When the winners of yearbook contents were announced, the 1926 Casey Flame won second place in the state contest and was rated in the second class of the Central Interscholastic Press Association contest. At the close of football season, Casey was awarded the Wabash Valley Championship, our team being scored on only once during the season. The years 1926-27 may well be called red letter years in the Casey High School. As we go to press plans are being made for a new building to be erected. The building will be about 130x148 feet. The class rooms will be built around three sides, leaving one end for a stage, which will be about 22x44 feet, and the center will have a floor space of about 45x85 feet. Above the class rooms will be arranged tiers of seats for spectators at events to be staged either on the floor or on the stage, and these will have a seating capacity of about 3000. Mr. Kelly, the architect, will have the plans completed and ready in a short time. Paye fifteen