Central High School - Forx Yearbook (Grand Forks, ND)

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FOQX in two units, the first in the near future while the other was to follow some years later. The new school was completed and first occupied in January, 1920. The second unit, which includes the gymnasium, shop departments, and a number of class rooms, was finished in 1927, a portion of the Old Central Building being removed to provide space. The new High School affords one of the most beautiful sights of the city. It is modern in every particular from the dignified exterior of smooth gray brick and buff limestone to gushing fountains within. In addition to three full stories, it contans a complete basement floor. Together with the usual classrooms, laboratories, and study halls, the building includes music, art, sewing, cooking, and typ- ing rooms, besides excellent Manual Training and Home Mechanics depart- i ments and a fine gymnasium. Wide, l spacious corridors, easy, winding stair- ways and marbled hallways with de- lightful wainscoting contribute to the intrinsic beauty of the interior. The building is well equipped, well ventil- ated, well lighted, and fireproof. Three officials have served Grand Forks schools for periods exceeding twenty years. Too much praise cannot be extended J. Nelson Kelly, whose energy and perseverance contributed largely to the construction of the new High School. Each year, for a quarter century, he was re-elected Superin- tendent of Schools, with never a dis- senting note, by the various Boards that came and went. He retired in 1919 and continues to reside in Grand Forks. W. C. Stebbins entered the High School in 1903 as a science teacher. Four years later, he was made Principal, in which capacity he served most com- mendably for twelve years. He suc- ceeded Mr. Kelly as Superintend- W. C. STEBBINS ent in 1919 and fulfilled the duties of that office until 1929, when the schools suffered the loss of the beloved leader. Our Principal, P. H. Lehman came to Central in 1911 as a teacher of History. He succeeded to the Principalship in 1919 and continues to serve as such in a truly praiseworthy manner. Throughout the years during which he has seen the student body swell from 375 to over one thousand, he has always been actively interested in every forward movement for the betterment of the school. I Miss McCumber, Mr. Howell, Mr. Carter, Miss Davies, and Mr. Har- grave are present members of the faculty who have served the school for very long periods. Mr. Baarman's death in 1930 brought a close to twenty years of distinguished service., Also, no review of Grand Forks schools Page Thirteen A X , ff 1 -we ilff a .

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FOIQX and grades. The work was further systematized during the ensuing year while, by 1911, the east side of the Central basement was converted into a fine, well-equipped kitchen for instruction in cooking. Music had secured a firm foothold within the school by 1910, when over two hundred students, easily a majority of those enrolled, took part in vocal music organizations. The class of 1911 undertook a truly difiicult task -the publishing of the first Forx. It was a large annual, containing pictures and records of some twenty-four preceding classes, and though a decided financial failure, caus- ing its discontinuation until 1920, it was a pioneer in its field and set a pace for other classes to follow. The high school library of 1912 boasted more than 1200 volumes. An agricultural course was offered from 1915 to 1917. By 1918, the student body had expanded to over 500 while the faculty numbered thirty. The custom for Senior classes to leave a memorial in the form of a work of art was originated by the class of 1908. Declamation and debate flourished. The annual contest between the boys' debate club, the Eclectic, and the Minerva, girls debate group, was accorded all the enthusiasm, friendly rivalry and petty wagering of an athletic contest. The reluctant transfer of numerous boxes of candy and the equally reluctant emptying of pockets, each year awaited the j udges' decision of this much heralded event. Presentation of a handsome silver loving cup to the winner by Supt. J. Nelson Kelly, originator of the debates, made rivalry the keener. Declamation contests were sponsored annually and Central representatives took part in contests at Minneapolis, Fargo and the -University. Moreover, declamation was strongly encouraged in the eighth grade. The necessity of a new high school was becoming easily apparent as early as 1913. For some time, citizens met and discussed the problem. The exact site of the new building gave rise to considerable discussion, but it was finally decided to let the old school stand and build on a new location. The plan adopted provided for the fine school we now have, to be constructed Page Twelve ,X 1,7 9 X A '-.AQ ., .. A, I ,.- .-. - '--A' -4-

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as ro IQX would be complete without mention of J. R. McKay, our present Superin- tendent of Buildings, who has been associated with Grand Forks schools for over twenty-five years. Summer school was first introduced in 1910 under the supervision of the Y. M. C. A., under whose direction it continued until 1914 when classes were carried on in the High School under the instruction of a teacher paid by student tuition. Until 1917, the summer session was open only to those who desired to repeat a subject in which they had failed, but in that year advance work was offered and extra teachers were secured to accommodate all. Six weeks were allotted the summer session until 1930, when it was extended to an eight week period. Only semester courses are offered and no laboratory work is given. The summer school, too, has made rapid strides, having grown from an enrollment of twenty-five under a single teacher to its present size-135 students, under the instruction of six teachers. Moreover, '70 per cent of those who attended last summer engaged in advance work. An extra two-week period was added to the regular session in 1912 for the benefit of those who had barely failed in subjects during which time the student was permitted to review and once more take an examination on the subject. This practice was continued until 1929, when it was dropped along with the Normal Course. Throughout the history of the High School, until apparent recency, several distinct courses of study have been offered. At the time of the discontinuation of this system, Science, History, Commercial, Home Eco- nomics, Latin, and Normal courses were offered, each providing excellent Pngc' F'llIll'fl'1'H