Cheney High School - Alfalfa Blossoms Yearbook (Cheney, KS)

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ALFALFA BLOSSOMS 9 bchnul Zbistnrp In the minds of some of the older citizens of the community, it may seem but a few short years since there was no school building at Cheney. In 1884 the Cheney district was organized, and as there was no building at that time for school purposes, the classes were heard in a store room. Dur- ing the year a two-story, two-room building was erected, which met the needs of the community for a few years when it was found necessary to build on another room. The frame part of the present building was erected in 1903, which accommodated the students until 1907, when the brick an- nex was built. At the same time a furnace and equipment for chemical and physical laboratories were installed. Mr. Fifer was principal in 1903, and with the aid of the new building, was able to put in two years of high school work. The foundation of the present high school was laid during the two years that Mr. Fifer was principal. Prof. Kabler, the next principal, served the school for two years and endeavored to raise the standard of the school in truth as well as in the eyes of the public. The Barnes High School law was passed and the Cheney school received material aid from the county taxes. Two teachers were employed to teach High School subjects only, and a three year course was offered, either college preparatory or a general course. Mr. Mahin took up the work in 1907, where Mr. Kabler had left it, and in order that the work in the grades might be more efficient, another teacher was added. A great many progressive steps were taken during the three years that Mr. Mahin served the school, some of which were, the addition of new library equipment, the installment of German and some commercial branches. Two new teachers were added to the faculty, mak- ing four teachers who taught High School subjects exclusively. The school was raised from class C to class A, the approval of the State Board secured and the Normal Training Course established in the High School. Supt. Daily then took charge of the school in the fall of 1910, and plans already laid by the previous superintendents were very ably carried out by him. The whole school was given a boost that gave it a firm footing higher up on the educational scale. Sixty-five students were enrolled dur- ing the year 1910-1911, and the school received a name that has been per- manent. In 1911 Prof. Hall was at the head of the school, and due to his efforts, the standards of the school were placed on a more substantial basis. The

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....i.... ALFALFA BLOSSOMS THE SCHOOL BUILDING

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10 ALFALFA BLOSSOMS enrollment was about the same as it was the year before, there being sixty-five enrolled. In 1912 there was a marked increase in the enrollment, as one hun- dred and seven names were on the register for that year. Mr. Allen, the superintendent, found it necessary to employ another teacher to do justice to the classes scheduled for a day, thus making five teachers doing High School work only. In 1913, under Superintendent Thompson, one hundred students en- rolled. In order to make the school more up-to-date, and at the same time give the students some practical training, Domestic Science and Manual Training were installed, but on account of lack of room it was impossible to accommodate all who wished to take work in these departments. Sev- eral commercial branches were added during the year and it was made possible for a student to take a course touching more subjects than before. , The present year's work with Mr. Curfman at the head of the school, has been a real success from start to finish. When school opened in the Fall it was somewhat doubtful in the minds of some of the young people as to whether they should attend or not. After the first month this ques- tion was settled in all minds and ninety-eight students enrolled for regular work. This year forward steps have been taken in literary work and music, with the aid of the Literary Societies and the High School Chorus. New subjects have been added to the schedule, until it was found necessary to employ a sixth teacher at the beginning of the second semester, in order to get all of the classes in an eight period day. The result of this year's work may be seen in the lives of the students, as there is a decided revolution in the ideals of some of the young people with regard to their purpose of life. The cause of the progression of this year may be set forth as follows: First, the keen interest the faculty has taken in the welfare of the pupils, second, the fact that the student body was alive and ready to work whenever the opportunity offered, third, the enthusiasm and willingness to co-operate, shown by both students and faculty.