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Page 6 text:
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History of the High School Not unlike other phases of educational advance- ment has been the upward trend of the St. Paris high school since its beginning eighty-three years ago. It is a matter of history, however, that for many years this school has given its pupils the advantage of a splendid course of study that has sent many of them into large fields of activity and placed them among the leaders of men in divers walks of life. It is these splendid results that causes the community to pejoice, and is an incentive that spurs on those now enrolled under its banner to greater achievement. While a chron- ological narrative of the St. Paris high school may interest many, it must be borne in mind that the most inspiring history could be gathered from the many successful lives that have been shaped through the influence of the superintendents and instructors. As these facts would fill volumes, we must be content with giving the growth of the high school from year to year. In the year 1860 a secondary high school was established. Its sessions were held on the second floor of a building erected by the Sons of Tem- perance. The first high school teacher was Marion Ross, of Christiansburg, who later enlisted in the Union Army and was one of the famous scouting party who attempted to break the Confederate Railway Connections. He was captured and hung as a spy at Atlanta, Ga. The high school was re-established in 1867, and its work carried on in rooms rented of the Odd Fellow Lodge members. A Mr. Welchans was the teacher. Geometry, algebra, higher arithmetic and some literature were taught. In 1867 a three-story building was erected. Upon its completion the directors re-organized, providing for a board of six men instead of three. James G. Blair, of the University of Edinburg, Scotland, became superintendent. Prof. Blair was highly educated and through his influence many young people from the surrounding community attended school. There were sixty-two high school students at this time, forty of whom were non- residents. The higher branches of trigonometry., chemistry, and Greek were taught. The first class to complete the high school course was that of 1870, but the class of ’79 was the first to receive the distinction of graduating. It seems that former students were more for- tunate than we, as they enjoyed not only a two- weeks holiday at Christmas time but a spring vacation also. In 1890 the new building was erected. It was completed in eight months. Not being completed at the opening of the fall term, the high school met in down-town rooms for six weeks. The dedication of the new building took place November 17, 1890. This building had eight rooms, three of those on the second floor being dedicated to the use of the high school. Sweet memories of the ‘Green” and “Blue” rooms will always linger in the hearts of many former students. In 1904 the high school changed from a three to a four-year course, and also became a first class high school. There now stands, on East Main Street, a $100,000 building, the finest in the county, mani- testing the interest of this community in the wel- fare of their young people. A large study hall, library, laboratory and four class rooms are now at the disposal of the high school students. The present course of study is planned to pre- pare the student to enter the best colleges and universities. There are now seventy-six pupils enrolled in the high school. Three hundred and twenty-six students have graduated from St. Paris high school, and in the world of affairs they have reflected glory on old ,aus a8 the years go by, and as class after class takes its p’ace in the world, may they ever bring honor to “The Yellow and the Black”
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