Epsom High School - Rambler Yearbook (Henderson, NC)

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L i br J r i f n Airs. A. A Aledli v A VAjet- . Lu vchvoo vi Perso v a el A -i AW T Foster

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HISTORY OF THE EPSOM PUBLIC SCHOOL (Compiled by Mrs. W. P.. Wilson) For many years the Epsom School was located in Vance County JUST OVER THE COUNTY LINE ON THE PRESENT SITE OF THE LIBERTY- Vance Church parsonage. This school was operated jointly by Vance and Franklin Counties In 1926 Franklin County withdrew from Vance ano decided to construct a school building in Frank- lin County. The Bobbitt and Ingleside Schools were added to this district by the school board. The present school site, consisting of 14 4 5 acres, was PURCHASED FROM Mr . G. T. DlCKIE AT THE RATE OF $200 AN ACRE. An ELECTION WAS CALLED AND WAS UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.; BONDS WERE ISSUED AND IN THE SPRING OF 1926, WORK WAS BEGUN ON THE NEW SCHOOL BUILOING. ThIS BUILDING WAS COMPLETED IN OCTOBER AFTER WHICH THE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS MOVED IN. THE TOTAL COST OF THE BUILDING WAS $65,000. The first school board consisted of G. T. Ayscue, Chairman, 0. T. Dickie, secretary and T. C.„ Gill, Treasurer. The board WAS VERY FORTUNATE IN SECURING FOR PRINCIPAL Mr. J. A. WOODWARD of Statesville. Some of the many problems to confront the new principal were equipping the building and converting the grounds FROM A SCENE OF BARRENNESS TO A SCENE OF BEAUTY. A QUITE ACTIVE P. T. A. WAS ORGANIZED WITH Mrs. W. G. Kearney as president. In cooperation with Mr. Woodward, the NEW ORGANIZATION worked toward making the school an accredited INSTITUTION WITH NECESSARY EQUIPMENT. PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT INCLUDED AN OUT-DOOR 8 ASKETBALL COURT, BASEBALL DIAMOND AND DEVICES FOR TRACK ACTIVITIES. W I TH A $50 DONATION FROM THE COUNTY AND THE REMAINDER FROM THE COMMUNITY, A KITCHEN WAS EQUIPPED FOR SERVING LIGHT LUNCHES. THE LUNCH PROGRAM WAS IN CHARGE OF MRS. ToLLIE AYSCUE, THE PRESENT MRS. HENRY MlTCHELL. TO ANSWER THE NEED OF A GYMNASIUM, A TIN BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED WITH A BASKET 8 ALL COURT INSIDE. ThE BUILDING SERVED FOR A GYMNASIUM AND AN ANNUAL FAIR WHICH CULMINATED WITH A PLAY BY THE TEACHERS AND LOCAL TALENT. The PROCEEDS WENT TOWARD SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS. Mr. G. E. Crawley succeeded m r. Woodward as principal ano THE SCHOOL CONTINUED TO EXPAND. ThE HOME ECONOMICS AND AGRICULT- URAL Departments were addeo and were supervised by Miss Helen Daughtery and Mr. C. E„ Calahan respectively. The present Agri- cultural Department, with one of the most modern buildings