Coffeyville High School - Purple C Yearbook (Coffeyville, KS)

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9 THE TATLER 4. 4 - - uw Page 5

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THE TATLER ffl ' '-'---'Y - --- ff'f ---'-----f------------A+-4K4--1-A -- QQ- DEDICATICN lf!! With appreciation for the experiences and pleasures it has given us in our high school life, with gratitude for its inspirations toward truth, loyalty and high ideals,' with pride in the noble traditions which it has always held, and with the hope that it will always be a source of pleasant memories to those who have known and loved it, we, the cla-ss of 1951, sincerely dedicate this seventh and last volume of The Tatler to our ALMAIJATER Page 4

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THE TATLER 40 Qo- HISTORT OF PARNASSUS HIGH SCHOOL KVJOSVI The town of Parnassus was named for Mt. Parnassus in Greece. It was incorporated as a borough in 1872 and was consolidated with New Kensington in january, 1931. Parnassus High School was organized according to the state program during the school term of 1897'98 in the Fifth Avenue School Building. Previous to this time some work of high school character was done so that in September 1897 five pupils qualiied for graduation from a twofyear course, two of whom are still residents of Parna-ssus. The following year a class of six members was graduated, consisting of five girls and one boy. The next class con- sisted of eleven members, six girls and five boys. During this time' most of the high schools in the state had only a two year course and Parnassus remained in this class for about iten years. Mr. Wilmer G. Dugan, who recently retired from the office of Superintendent of Westmoreland County Schools, was the first prin- cipal of the high school. He is credited with starting the high school? and served in the ca' pacity of principal until 1909. Mr. Dugan was succeeded in 1909 by 'Mr. Fred L. Bach. In the fall of 1909 Parnassus had its first football team. During that same year an athletic association was organized and the next spring the first class play was presented in the town hall by the junior class. The prof ceeds derived from the play -were used for the first juniorrsenior prom in the spring of 1910. Mr. Bach served as principal and supervising principal until 1912 when he was succeeded by Mr. B. Foster Ashe. It was at this time that ithe present high school building was built. Mr. Ashe was supervising principal for two years and during this time the first high school principal, Mr. Walter Gensbigler, was elected. The high school since its beginning had grad' ually increased its scope of work untilj it was a four-year high school in 1913. Mr. V. Blain Lefler followed' Mr. Ashe as supervising principal and held this position for three years, from 1914 till 1917. The high school principals who succeeded Mr. Gensbigler were Mr. G. W. Metger and Mr. Howard Vought. Tfhe high school continued to grow both in curricula and student activities. Ilt had by this time,a basketball team and a baseball team. It still had only an academic course, however. During the war, there was a let-down in school activities all over the country. Consequent' ly little is known about the high school during this period. From 1917 to 1924 Mr. W. Ray Smith was supervising principal with the exception of a year or so during the war when Mr. Penfield took his place. At this time the high school principals were Miss Margaret McCracken. Mr. Lewis R. Potts and Mr. john A. Lantz. In 1923, Mr. O. W. Johnson, the present principal, succeeded Mr. Lantz. After the war the student activities in the school were increased and a two-year commercial course was added. At 'tzhiis time the school accommodations proved most inadequate for the increased number of stu- dents, so in 1923 a spacious new addition was built to the higth school. This included a new gymnasium, an auditorium, science laboratories, and six new class rooms. New student organi' zations made their appearance such as the glee club, orchestra, and many other activities which were made possible by the new gymnasium and auditorium. In 1924, Mr. Edwin McCormick succeeded 'ML Smith. In this year the school paper, named the Graredion, and our annual, The Tatler, made their appearance. With the increased in-terest in athletics came a girls' varsity baskeit ball team and a physical education course for both boys and girls. More clubs and organizations came in existence in the follwoing year such as the Leaders' Club, the Varsity Club, the junior Chamber of Commerce, the Activiities Committee and the French and Latin Clubs. Interest in dramatics was manifested by thejniuor and senior class plays and the operetta. In 1926 the old ball park was bought by the school board and made into an athletic field for the high school. Mr. Joseph L. Black, the present supervising principal, succeeded Mr. McCormick in 1929. That same year a library was installed with a librarian in charge. At this time the junior high school which had been in the high school building for many years was removed and placed in a new building adjoining the athletic field. The growth of the high school has been remarkable, as is shown by its history. It has increased from a handful of students and a few teachers to a student body of approximately 350 and a faculty of 16 teachers. This year's graduating class is ten times the size of the first class of five It has increased its course from a two-year academic course to three four-year courses, academic, general and commercial. From 1897 to 1931 Parnassus High School has been a progressive high school in an equally progressive town. We hope that in the future it will continue to fdo its part as a unit of a greater high school in a greater town. -Tm: Eniroix Page 6