Chadron Preparatory - Eagles Tale Yearbook (Chadron, NE)

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J(istonj The sun rose. It spread its light over a land that was yet unclaimed by the white man. But the settlers came; they brought their wives and children, and they made this land their home. With the growth of family life, there was a need for stores and homes and churches and schools. So it was that, at the be- ginning of the twentieth century, the sun shone on an area that was searching for cultural and educational development. In 1910 when the State Board of Education toured this area, several towns earnestly tried to secure the fourth State Normal School. Chadron had previously purchased the grounds and building which formerly had belonged to the Congregational Academy. Chadron’s offer to the Board was an 80-acre tract of land and the old Academy building. Later in the year the State Legislature designated Chadron as the location for the new school. On June 15, 1910, a large crowd of citizens watched the driving of the first stake. Chadron's dream was realized. With the Normal School came the establishment of an elementary school for the education of practice teachers. During the summer of 1911 the first session of the Model School, as the elementary school was then called, was held in the Chadron City High School building. For the fall session grades 2,4, 6, 8 were held in the West Ward School building; each class was limited to fifteen pupils and had a long waiting list. Dean Stockdale, the director, walked daily between the West Ward building and the Normal for his classes, as did the practice teachers. When the first unit of the east wing of the present Administration Building was completed in 1913, the Model School was moved there, and a full grade school (grades 1-8) was organized. When the east wing was entirely completed, the ninth and tenth grades were installed in the northeast corner rooms; the lower grades were held on the ground floor of this wing. At this time the eleventh and twelfth graders mingled freely with the college students. Because they had no home room, they were considered to be part of the college student body. These juniors and seniors were called First and Second Preps to distinguish them from college students. They participated in all college activities such as athletics and musical organizations. When the west wing of the Administration Building was completed, the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades were moved to an assembly room in that wing on the second floor. At that time the twelfth graders still had no home room, but they reported twice a day for roll call. The Training School building was finished in 1926. At that time grades K-9 were moved to the new building, and the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades were finally a unified group in the west section of the second floor. The school then became a K-12 school with a kindergarten and the 6-3-3 arrangement. It was the first school in Western Nebraska to be organized in this way. The school was of great benefit to students who had been unable to finish high school; because of the close contact with students of college age, people often returned to finish high school after an absence of several years. It was not uncommon to have a 21-year-old senior in Normal High. The name of the school has changed many times during the course of years. From Model School it changed to Practice School, Training School, Prep School, and Campus Laboratory School. Normal High and Chadron Prep High have been used for reference to the high school only. This criterion ex- pressed the qualities of the Model High School: But for what is the Model High noted to everyone? For wonderful grades For fine behavior For first-class activities For real musicians For good organizations And plenty of pep From the beginning, the curriculum has been large and varied. Cooking and sewing were taught to fifth and sixth graders and then later moved to the high school. Courses in manual arts and foreign lan- guages were soon established. The orchestra, which was started in 1927, won first place at the Western

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Zdedication In the course of time, places may change and buildings may disappear, but memories can never be erased. An institution that has achieved greamess is far more than a structure of brick and steel. The essence of such an or- ganization will live forever in the hearts of those parents, students, and teachers who have loved it. A high school does much more than serve as basic educational preparation for the responsibilities of adult life; it molds and develops and stimulates the potential abilities of the individuals who attend it. Its true function goes far deeper than the flash of a marching band or the thrill of an athletic event; it broadens youth's scope of life in the world and even the universe. It simul- taneously provides challenge and fulfillment. Actually, the school exists only in the people who have worked for its success; such things transcend mere geographical and structural locations. We see Chadron Prep as a living spirit undestroyed by any physical change. It is with deepest love and appreciation that we, the Class of 1961, ded- icate the EAGLE'S TALE to the Memory of Chadron Prep High School.

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Nebraska State High School Music Contest held in Sidney in 1928. The swimming pool, constructed in 1921, was a great attraction to many students, and Red Cross instruction was soon begun. The band was a popular feature with many students. High scholastic standards at Prep nave been maintained. In 1961 Prep won first place in the Inter-High School Scholastic Contest. Until 1924 Prep commencements had been held jointly with the college. In that year, however, the 37 seniors gave their own program for graduation. This included a class history, a class will, class proph- ecy. class poem, a one-act play, and a dance number. The seniors in 1961 planned their own program also. 1924 also saw the first separate Prep yearbook and the first Junior-Senior banquet. In 1928 the seniors enjoyed the first senior sneak day. Clubs and organizations took their place in the Model High School. During the early 1920's the Girl Reserves were organized. This organization, a high school branch of the Y. W.C. A. which later became the Y-Teens, undertook a number of worthwhile projects. The Girls' Athletic Association made its ap- pearance at that time and was originally comprised of both high school and college girls. Prep students aided in the war efforts for both world wars. During World War I Prep students contrib- uted heavily to the Red Cross War Fund; with the Normal School, they contributed $121.15. During World War II Prep girls folded bandages each Monday afternoon. Needless to say, the greatest contri- bution was made by the boys from Prep who enlisted, fought, and even died in those two great struggles. Many Prep athletic achievements are almost legendary. One of these feats was the defeat of Pine Ridge in 1923 to win the Class B title in a four-state invitational tournament; there were 46 teams entered in this tourney. A second noteworthy achievement came at the State Tournament in 1926 when Prep defeated Omaha North in the semi-finals with a score of 17-5. But the championship did not go to Prep that year; the team lost to Plattsmouth with a heartbreaking score of 17-16. With the growth of two high schools in the community, citizens naturally placed loyalties in one di- rection. The rivalry between Chadron High and Chadron Prep has always been great, especially in ath- letics. This reached its peak in 1926 when Prep defeated Chadron High in basketball. Because Prep had been defeated twice that season by Chadron High, there was a good deal of heckling before the game. It is reported that after the game, a Prep fan made a caustic remark to a Chadron High supporter. This remark led to physical combat. The friction among townspeople following this game was so great that the college administration decided to suspend competitive athletics at Prep for a few years. Consequently, the Prep boys who wanted to play football and basketball went to Chadron High and played with boys they had opposed so bitterly the year before. Through this co-operative effort, they produced an unde- feated football team. Prep resumed competitive athletics in 1929 but did not play Chadron High except in tournaments until 1958. Prep basketball teams won three state championships in Class C - in 1950, 1952, and 1955. The administration of Prep has rested in many men since its beginning. Dean Stockdale was director from 1911 to 1937. Dr. Hildreth came in 1937 and served as director until 1941, when he returned to military service. Two men, Mr. Dwight Curtis followed by Mr. John Lynch, served as directors until 1946, when Dr. Hildreth returned. In 1950 Dr. Findley took over the duties of director. He was fol- lowed by Mr. Deeb in 1958 and Mr. Conn in 1959. In 1960 Dr. Edward Mulhausen came to fill the position. Very little mention of names has been made in this history. Actually, it is the people who make an institution what it is. The students and teachers who have worked to make the school a success should have the largest place in the story of the school. It is in those people that the school will live. Now, as the doors of Chadron Prep High School close permanently, it would be easy to believe that the sun is setting, that the light is extinguished. The spirit of an institution cannot be destroyed by any physical change, for it exists permanently in its teachers and students. Each individual who has felt pride in an organization has a small part of that organization that will be his always. Although there will no longer be a specific area known as Chadron Prep High School, it will most certainly have a place - a place in the hearts of all who have loved it. The sun is not setting on the real Chadron Prep; the light will continue to burn.