Grafton High School - Re Echo Yearbook (Grafton, WV)

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History of Ciraflon High School The first school in Grafton was opened in 1885 by George Latham in a small one room frame building, at the corner of Washington Street anti Indian Alley, later called Bridge-Street. Mr. Latham was afterwards a member of Congress and an ambassador to Australia. When he raised a company of Union soldiers and went to war as their captain, Mr. Jake Bristor was appointed teacher. The school on Washington Street and another which had been started on Main Street became so crowded that the basement of the Presbyterian Church was used as a school. Mrs. J. G. Flanagan, wife of the Presbyterian minister, became the teacher. In 1870 the Central school was built, and rebuilt in 1892. This school housed the first high school. In 188fi the first class graduated numbered four. In 1891 only three were in the graduating class. In 1892 the number increased to ten. The high school was housed on the second and third floors of the Central Building. This location offered poor and inadequate facilities, and for a number of years the citizens felt the need of a new building. At this time part of the courses were being taught in the West Grafton Grade school, such as: Art, Home Ec., Latin, History, Algebra and several others. The first organized action was taken by the Grafton High School Alumni Association on December 30, 1913, when a resolution was passed requesting a bond issue of SI 10,000, which was passed by the citizens of Grafton and a modern building was erected on West Washington Street. In the second semester of 1915-16, January 1916, the high school moved into the new building. The first class to graduate had thirty-six members. In 1920 the class of graduates increased to forty-eight. Again we outgrew the high school building and in the fall of 1938 the construction of the Senior high was started and completed in the Spring of 1940. We moved into the most modern building in the state on April 22. Our stage is outstanding in that it is large enough to accommodate a road show. Then the different types of curtains and various light combination make it far from an ordinary stage. A public address system is used throughout the build-ing. For this magnificent building we are indeed indebted to the foresight of our former Superintendent, Mr. E. G. Kuhn and Dr. Paul P. Warden, President of the Board who secured the Federal aid to erect the new school. The class of '10 graduated one hundred sixty-seven members which up to that time was the largest number in the history of the school. The peak year, however was 1942 when a class of one hundred seventy-six was graduated. Our present class will number one hundred and twenty-two. Many changes have taken place in the school, both in courses offered and manner of entering assemblies. Drivers Education has been taught in our school for two years now, while California has just recently passed a ruling that it is requited for graduation, however this is a textbook course in California, while ours is experience in really driving. Regular Vocal classes hast- been taught for two years. The vocal classes assemble in the auditorium first with the school entering by classes, first Seniors, |uniors, Sophomores and last the Freshmen all singing as they enter. Our method of assembling has received very- favorable comments from visitors. The library has grown from a small room that contained only two tables to a four room suite consisting of a large reading room with twelve tables, two conference rooms ami a workroom. The Library ranks with the best in the state. The fieldhouse is modern in every respect, having an automatic timer and the latest in bleachers. The former high school on Washington Street now houses the Junior high and the first floor is used for the lower grades. 19

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Paul Willis Basketball-Varsity Stage Crew Hi Y Student Council Letterman’s Club Thespians Kossie B. Wilson I oocball Vanity Let ter man's Club Charles Wiseman Hi Y Student Council Band Camera Club (Pres.) Press Club Junior Class Play Boy’s State 1948 Re-Echo Senior Class Play Thespians National Honor Society Barbara Withers Squad Leader G. A. A. Glee Club Bearcat Staff W. H. Donald Wood F. F. A. Mary Gale Woodford Press Club F. H. M. Squad Leader Junior Class Play Bearcat Staff Re-Echo Librarian Louise Woodyard Press Club Squad leader Bearcat Staff William Young Hi Y Let ter man's Club Basketball-Y arsity Student Council Class Officer (Soph.) Bon s State 1948 Baseball Helen Zoric Commercial Club F. II. A. Re-Echo Squad Leader “L’nphotographed” Den il Pierce “I'nphotographed’’ Dot tie Lou Simmons Bearcat Staff Press Club Squad Leader 18

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0 ni Arlivilivs •(I SENIOR PLAY Charlie’s Aunt” May 1.1 JUNIOR SENIOR PROM SPECIAL ASSEMBLY Valedictorian Address Salutatorian Address Best Boy Citizen Best Girl Citizen May 20 May 24 Mary Margaret Keener David Dowden to be selected in May to be selected in May COMMENCEMENT SERMON—8:00 P.M. May 22 (Music to he furnished by Music Department) SEMESTER EXAMS MEMORIAL DAN PARADE COMMENCEMEN 1 (Music to be furnished by Hand) May 25, 26, 27 May 10 Date undetermined 20