Durham High School - Messenger Yearbook (Durham, NC)

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s 6'-yy f' D. ...J if Lfii .L7 'li ask e X Q I tv, L T I. AJR. 7 if 3 ' ! '1 A -- T he Hz'5f0r 0 mflmm i fz Selma! The history of Durham High School , starts with the history of Durham, for as soon as Durham became a chartered town in 1869, the enterprising citizens began to organize private schools. Soon the popula- tion became so large that the people became QM interested in starting a public school for 'maya those who could not afford to attend the few private schools already established. Since 1840 there had been in North Car- olina a type of public school system, then known as the common school, but it had not Hourished. ln the legislature ot 1881, Caleb 13. Green, one of the leading citizens at that time, introduced a hill which pro- vided for a tax on property for the estab- lishment and support of a graded school. Through the enterprising efforts of other interested citizens, especially W'illiam T. Blackwell, the bill was passed, but even when it was passed there was a hard fought contest in Durltam. However, the school was organized and opened on September 4, 1882, with E. NN. Kennedy as superintendent. The lloard of Education, composed of Eu- M E - T I H I gene Morehead, J. 13. VVhitaker, and Barthol- i R' LGUXL ' OREHEAD emew Fuller, rented for a school building a two story frame house known as VVright's Factory, and within a few weeks there was an enrollment of three hundred eight. ln addition to the superintendent, the teachers were Mrs. M. li. Mahoney, Charles D. Klclver, Price Thonias, Miss Lula Freeland, and Miss Bessie Fanning. The next year three new teachers were added and the school grew to include nine grades. For the next several years, the future of the school was uncertain. People became prej- udiced agafnst public education, but by the consistent efforts of Professor Kennedy and S. T. Tomlinson, who had been elected to the school board upon the death of Mr. Fuller, a bond issue was passed for the purpose of raising money to construct a real school building. Some of the tax payers fought against the school and through their legal proceeding in 1880 the Supreme Court declared the law that established the Durham graded school unconstitutional on the grounds of the race discrimination law that was passed at the same time. The bond money had to be returned and the school was left without funds. But Mr. Blackwell again came to the rescue, and through the philanthropic efforts of himself, Eugene Morehead, S. T. Tomlinson, li. J. Parrish, and R. F. VVelch the school was able to continue for the school year 1886-87. ln the election of 1887 the people voted in favor of public education and after a great deal of trouble and a lawsuit about the qualified voters, the public school was legally established. From this time steady progress has been made. ln the early school only the grammar grades were taught, but each year higher grades began to be added. About 1891 a new large PAGE 10

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, lf .Jin Q -1 Q 'I' 1 Y , ax L.1lI0lZg- ,l-Jfvffff' .1 - Q1--f ' fl :A - l - i' 1 ' 1 fi'-1-?aL THE MESSENGER Pzwezzff To the vast radio audience the programs of Station DHS

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. journalism, and W H III' G'-N '00, g- 1, A H,,,,, Ill! Lfff 7- -' Wlv T .J .x I ,, 7- l 1 1 , building known as the Morehead School was built. This building was partly destroyed by fire in 1912, but was rebuilt in 1910, and is still used and known as the Morehead Grammar School. In this new building, of which NV. D. Carmichael was principal, all grades including the tenth were taught. The enrollment increased so rapidly that it was found necessary to separate the high school grades from the grammar grades. W'ith this in mind, money was raised in 1907 to erect a. new building for ..-1 fa- the high school grades. The high school then included four grades while the grammar a 7 -f if f schools included six grades. but in 191-l a seventh grade was added by taking the lower pupils of the first year of high school and ,V the brighter pupils from the seventh grade. A few years later a twelfth grade was added, 'ia but the system was arranged so that a brighter pupil could graduate in ten or eleven years. By this method the more precocious pupils are not handicapped by having to re- main in the same class with those who wish to take plenty of time to finish school. This 'first high school structure on lvl or- ris Street was sold several years ago to the city to be used as a municipal building. ln 1923, to accommodate the increasing number of pupils, the present high school building was erected on Duke Street. VVith this new structure more interest began to arise in the extra curricula activities. Since 1905 the Blackwell Literary Society, the first organ- ization of its kind in Durham High School, has done exceptional work in stimulating literary efforts. The Cornelia Spencer Soci- ety for girls was another of the trail blazers in the literary activities of the school. The t Xl R. VV. T. Brfxciiwi-11.1, wo societies were connected at one time, but were afterwards separated. Gradually, as the pupils became more interested in learning public speak- ing and literature, more literary societies began to be formed. As a result of the splendid work in public speaking among the societies, the pupils began to distinguish themselves in oratorical contests. ln 1930 a pupil from Durham High School won the state declamation contest, spon- sored by Guilford College, and in 1931 a, representative won the expression contest sponsored by the same college. High places have been won in speaking contests sponsored by VV'ake For- est Coilege and Duke University, liach year debaters have made a remarkable showing in the Aycock Triangular Debate. Durham High is now in permanent possession of the first Aycock Cup, having won it three times, two of these being in succession. To afford the pupils an opportunity to learn more than reading, writing, and aritlunetic, the executives have thoughtfully added courses of a cultural nature, art, music dramatics, as well as courses in scientific study. The music clubs especially have distinguished themselves in competitive work. They have won high honors each time they have entered the State Music Contest held annually in Greensboro. The Girls' Glee Club won hrst place in 1925, 19311, and 1931. First places were also won in 1931 by the Mixed Chorus, Girls' Trio, and Boys' Quartet. The science classes have gained honor by having a representative win the state Chemistry Contest in 1930. PAGE 1 1