El Reno High School - Boomer Yearbook (El Reno, OK)

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THE ADMIN ISTRATION “Listen to their words of wisdom: Listen to the truth they tell you. For the Master of Life has sent them Front the land of ll«ht and morning.” —Hiawatha IN 1893. the inspiring, energetic citizens of El Reno made a small investment in secondary education for the boys and and girls of the then pioneer city. The result was a very n.odest one-room school building, but from this meager be- ginning has come one of the outstanding high schools of the state. The present high school, in all its massiveness and beauty, located near the business section of the city, repre- sents the untiring efforts of a group of people who have never ceased to strive to make El Reno High School the very best possible. Located in the same block with the high school i; the new administration building, erected in 1935, which contains the superintendent's office and the conference room for the Board of Education. For a short time one day last October. El Reno feared that her beautiful building would be destroyed by fire, but through the efforts of the firemen and volunteer workers the damage was confined largely to the auditorium. Within u few weeks workmen were busy removing the debris and transforming the ruins into a new and more beautiful auditorium. While memories of the old assembly hall will linger on. the new audi- torium has already be- come dear to the hearts of the student body be- cause of its excellent and impressive beauty. Espe- cially attractive is the (5)

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In Appreciation FROM the time we entered El Reno High School until now, the eve of our departure, there have been, along with a few disappoint- ments and sorrows, many joys and triumphs for us. Most of these have come because of the help so generously given us by the folk direct- ing our high school. The careful planning for an efficient school system by the Board of Education, the guidance of the administrators, and the sympathetic, helpful attitude of our teachers and sponsors have all been instrumental in enabling us to reach graduation time. Much have we profited by their knowledge and experience, and especially by their willingness to share these with us. As a result of that knowledge and that experience, we can see and understand now those things which we could not before conceive. So well have we been taught fundamentals that now we agree, with the dawning light of understanding, that theirs were the truest visions and highest ideals. To them, then, we Seniors of ’37 wish to express our deepest appreciation for their ennobling influence and help- ful guidance during our high school days. TWELVE YEARS ago this September most of you were tiny tots trudging your way to your first day of school. For twelve years you have had opportunity for growth and development in public schools provided by the social order. In each of you society has an investment. Its organized agencies have assisted in transforming you from the rather helpless six-year-old creature who entered school twelve years ago into the trained and capable young person that you have become. As you have freely received, so must you freely give. Whether you attend college or whether you go directly into the world of work, you are honor bound to be everlastingly conscious of your obligation. You have a covenant with mankind to repay your obligation through a life of devotion to the good, the true and the beautiful in human rela- tionships. That such may ever be your ambition and your burning desire, that you may ever recognize yourself as debtor to the social order which has made high school graduation possible for you, and that your lives individually may bring you the joys of attainment and fine achievement—such is our wish. PAUL R. TAYLOR Superintendent of City Schools (4)

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The Board of Education Mr. Frtd Hampton Mr. Luther C. Gadberry Mr. Harvey C. Dozier Mr. P. W. Jenwn Mr. Tom H. Karris Supt. Paul K. Taylor Miss Alvcra Greer Mr. H. M. Hensley stencil border surrounding the walls and depicting in a very interesting manner the history of El Reno. The suggestion for this border first came from Superintendent Paul R. Taylor: then the design was worked out by Miss Ermalce Moore and students of her art class. The new stage is indeed a work of art, with its taupe front curtain, silver whip-cord cyclorama, and egg-shell tapestry damask proscenium set. making it one of the most modern and beautifully designed in the state. As a compensation for some of the gifts of previous graduating classes, which were destroyed by the fire, a pub- lic address system for the entire high school has been pur- chased and installed. This new addition to the high school equipment is not only a time saver, but is of great benefit because it enables the principal to supervise more easily and to coordinate more quickly any school activity. One of the best features of the public address system is that radio broadcasts may be brought into the class- rooms at any time. Somr of the outstand- ing music and speech programs have be- come a regular part of the class work. The more significant lectures and programs of the social and political world are brought to the students of the social science classes, giving them first hand information con- cerning important world affairs. The governing body of the system of schools is the Board of Education, consist- ing of a group of men who have given much time and thought to furthering the educational program of the community. This group is headed by Mr. H. M. Hensley, president, who has served as a board member since Feb- ruary 3. 1930. Mr. Fred H. Hampton, vice-president, has been a member of the board since January 2, 1933. Mr. Harvey C. Dozier, senior member of the board from the point of view of length of service, has been a member since No- vember 7. 1927, and was unopposed for reelection this year. Mr. P. W. Jensen, whose service as board member began January 2. 1933. was likewise unopposed for reelection this year. Mr. Tom H. Farris has been a member since May 6. 1935. Since 1922. Mr. Luther C. Gadberry has held the office of treasurer. Miss Alvera Greer was appointed clerk of the board June 1, 1936. Too high tribute cannot be paid El Reno’s Board of Edu- cation for its wise guidance and direction of the affairs of the school system and for its unselfish devotion to the cause cf public education. The men who compose the board are e er ready and willing to give unstintingly of their time and energies to make our schools return large dividends on the public investment. It is their ambition that El Reno shall have schools unsurpassed in efficiency of administration and operation. Superintendent Paul R. Taylor, who for the past two years has served suc- cessfully as head of the local system of schools and who has been elected by the Board of Education for a third term, is one of the outstanding educators of the state. Aside from showing interest and enthus- iasm in improving the schools of the city, Mr. Taylor is likewise active in state school affairs, and is a past president of the Ok- lahoma Education Association. Since coming to El Reno, Mr. Taylor has been active in a school building pro- gram. As evidences of his untiring efforts are the new Etta Dale Junior High School, which has just been completed, the ad- ministration building, and the new Webster School, which is now under construction. He has also worked tirelessly and con- scientiously in developing a more progres- sive course of study in the system of schools. At the present time he is outlin- ing tentative plans for a junior college next year. In addition to his services for the school. Mr. Taylor has displayed much interest in community affairs, being an active member of the Kiwanis and Lions civic clubs, and the American Legion. Because of his originality and ability, Mr. Taylor is often called upon to appear as speaker on various civic programs, and he always responds ir. the same gracious manner. He is also active in church work and any program of character training for the young people of the community. Soon after coming to El Reno, (6) Superintendent Paul It. Taylor