Elwood Community High School - Crescent Yearbook (Elwood, IN)

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ing waited until the First of October, high school was opened in the Odd Fellows hall, rented by the school board for that purpose. Lessons were recite dhere under great difficulties; the only school room furniture in use was a few desks and tables, long settees and blackboards made from lumber. During this time a few recitations were held in a barber shop. By February 1, 1895, the new school was completed and the students took up their work in what is now the Central building, then regarded as the finest building in the county. The grade school and high school both held their classes in this building until September, 191 ), when the present up-to-date high school building was completed. INTERIOR VIEW DOMESTIC SCIENCE To the Elwood of about 2,:‘ 00 people the fiist commencement exercises were of utmost importance as a token of a certain goal attained. '•'he following article is quoted from the Elwood Call, June 4, 1892: “The first annual commencement of the Elwood high school came off last night in the opeia house, and was acted out strictly as per program published in this paper. The stage was appropriately decked with flowers, while suspended above the foot light in large and nicely arranged letters was the class motto, ‘Through many difficulties.’ The opera house was packed with people, showing the appreciation of the Elwood public for educational interests and local literary efforts. The first on the program was a piano duet, which was performed in a pleasing manner by Mrs. E. E. Green and Edgar Watson. After this concluded the curtain rolled up disclosing the five graduates conveniently arranged, the Elwood •quartet, composed of Ed Osborn, Melvin Beck, Everett Frazier and .John Lyst, the principal and the superintendent, Prof. Charles Meek and Prof. T. F. Fitzgibbon, Misses Stella Green and Sallie McCarthy, Rev. Jamison and John Goddard, who represented the class of ’93. “Rev. Philip Jamison invoked Divine blessing in his usual earnest and happy manner, alter which Misses Stella Green and Sallie Mc- Carthy rendered a beautiful duet. The practical work of the occasion now began, Miss Cora Bovden delivering her address upon the subject, ‘Shall the High School Have Electives?’ “This was a very excellent and thoughtful literary production, rendered in an impressive and attractive manner. Miss Cora had her address well committed, and imparted to the audience its fidl force and meaning. She argued for the affirmative side of the question, and clearly proved her [joint. She concluded with a glowing tribute to American educational institutions and the still brighter prospect dawning. ' 1’he Nature and Mission of Literature,’ was the theme chosen by Miss Jennie Cox for her graduating address, and rigli royally did she handle a topic so full of wondrous interest and of paramount importance to the human race. She pointed out the mission of literature, and named over works that can never die, and whose influence will be felt until the end of time. Miss Jennie carried off the honors of the class, and her production was listened to with interest. It was replete with choice literary morsels and brilliant original passages from her own mind. Her production was all that was excellent and full of good thoughts. “ I'be Elwood quartet here interspersed one of its excellent songs. Being called back they responded with one verse of ‘Carry Me Back Papre Six

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 od. Mr. Meeks was made principal in 'D1 and assisted Superintendent Fit .gibbon in teaching the high school. Late in October. 1891, Mr. Fitz-gibbon asked the State Hoard of Education for a commission. In reply to this request L. ,11. Jones, superintendent of the Indianapolis Schools and head of the district, which was composed of the Eighth Congressional District, came to Elwood and spent a day visiting the classes, lie reported next week to the Hoard of Education and recommended the school for a commission, complimenting highly the work of the Senior class in Geometry and Latin. As a result of his visit and recommendation, Elwood Secured its commission during the fall of '92. The course of study changed and now a four-year course was offered. The subjects were as follows: 1st year—Algebra, Englisn, Latin and Physical Geography; 2nd year— Algebra, Latin. English and Botany; 3rd year —Latin, English, General History and Plain Geometry; 4t'n year—English. Latin, Physics BOTANY LABORATORY In 1893 it was decided that a new building would be erected and the old eight-room school s was tern down. School was held in the Linwood building for two years. The contractors had promised the new building for the fall of ‘95. Owing to an unavoidable delay they were unable to fulfill their premise and after hav- CHEMISTRY LABORATORY and Solid Geometry, the first half cf the year with a choice of Civics or Commercial Arithmetic the last half of the year. This was the only elective. A small building of eight rooms first served as a high school and grade school. The high school classes were held in the upper corridor, which was about nine feet wide with a stairway in the center and a stove at one side. The blackboard was four feet square. For the study cf Physics the school possessed no opparatus and the students and their teacher made from wood a few pieces of apparatus such as levers, bal-rrces. etc. The class went to the plumbing shop for the study of air. gas and water pressure. Paco Five

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to Old Virginia.’ “ ‘Manual Training in the Grade Work,’ was delivered by Miss Lulu Groff in a style that was both effective and highly pleasing. Her production was so excellent and so ably delivered that one and all pronounced it one of the best ever listened to in the city. She has natural oratorical abilities of a high order and her splendid delivery might well be the envy of some people who pride themselves upon their forensic powers. “ ‘What is the End of Education?’ was the next subject treated, and was ably and entertainingly discussed by Miss Stella Hunter, who seemed to be thoroughly imbued with the tme spirit of progress ami educational advancement. Education has no end, but leads ever onward and upward. Miss Stella’s address was a brilliant one and was much commented upon by all who heard it. “ ‘Choose the Senator by Popular Vote,’ was the subject upon which Frank Snively let loose his grandiloquent flights or oratorical cx-buberance and awakened the people from their lethargy. His address was one of the most brilliant and able ever listened to in this city, and was delivered in a masterful strain of genuine oratory. Conditions have changed since our forefathers created the present method of electing II. S. Senators. Men were then Jennie has striven earnestly and incessantly elected upon their merits, but now the most skillful wire worker pulls down t he plum. Out of this evil condition of affairs springs the gerrymander. He showed clearly how necessary it is that the mode should be changed and the senators elected by the people, instead of by scheming and villianous political wire workers. ‘‘This was followed by a pretty solo rendered by Miss Sallie McCarthy, as only that brilliant and popular young lady knows how. She was repeatedly encored, but merely responded with a graceful bow. “The Junior address was delivered by John Goddard, of the class of’93,in humorous and happy strain and came in as a streak of sunshine upon the sober solemnity of the occasion. ,IIe prophesied great things for the class of ’93 and vowed repeatedly that the class of ’92 would not be i nit with them. He created a great deal of genuine amusement at the close of his address by reading telegrams handed him, purporting to have come from learned anil great men in the big cities, congratulating the graduates upon their wonderful success and the magnificence of their productions. “During the exercises each participant was the happy recipient of numerous and handsome bouquets from their friends in the audience. Thus was the ennobling occasion made more pleasant and enjoyable by the sweep presence of fragrant flowers. “The male quartet rendered another excellent son garni were loudly applauded. They responded by another happy selection. “The presentation of diplomas came next and was performed by Prof. T. F. Fitzgibbon, who delivered a most interesting address on the ocacsion of the pleasing event. His effort was an earnest and happy one and was well received by the audience. Prof. Fitzgibbon stated, that as -Miss Jennie Cox had secured the highest grade, and had captured the honors of her class, she was entitled to a fre escholarship in the state university at Bloomington. Miss MANUAL TRAINING Page Seven