Little Rock Central High School - Pix Yearbook (Little Rock, AR)

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')acU that tittle £cck Htyh £chccl Ever vigilant at the portals of 'the Most Beautiful High School in America,” Ambition, Personality, Oppor- tunity, and Preparation stand guard over a community of some 2(XX) people. Each day they usher our young citizens into the various avenues of instruction arranged best to meet life’s needs. The hum of busy students, teachers and staff mem- bers, echoes throughout the building. Activities are fo- cused on the total development of the individual. Prom nursery school to the dignity of the sixth-story band tower, work in arts, science, trades, vocations, business, and other courses, is being carried on. From these corridors students in all corners of the world have reflected honor and credit upon their alma mater. Generals, executives, statesmen, scientists, Rhodes Scholars, Pulitzer prize winner, judges, missionaries, opera stars, engineers, lawyers, make a partial list. Each year our students have secured coveted scholar- ships in the nation’s outstanding colleges and universities. These awards, based on competetive examinations also consider outstanding ability in leadership, character, and service. Our athletic victories, band, and vocal music depart- ment, art, dramatics, journalism awards, as well as liter- ary honors, have gained national recognition. Our halls are treasure chests for these emblems. Outstanding heroes in Spanish-American, World Wars I and II, have received early training here. It was our privelege to build the Campus Inn in the memory of these heroes. At the turn of the century, the high school, then known as Peabody High, occupied the second floor of the Peabody building. As the ninth grade was a part of the grammar school, only Sophomore, Junior and Senior Classes were held there. The courses offered were largely college preparatory and were designated as “Latin and “Science” courses. Three years each of English, mathematics, history and Latin were offered. Two years of German was offered in 19(X). Physical culture, and music were conducted by classroom teachers under the supervision of “directors” who visited the school once or twice a week. In contrast, our present curriculum woidd require 12 years for com- pletion. From these crowded quarters, it was with great pride, that 'The High School Temple” on Fourteenth and Scott, was dedicated for our young people in 1905. Here, for the first time, courses in domestic science, manual, and business training were offered. The School Improvement Association was also organized in 1905; now our P. T. A. is the largest in the country. The social life, as well as athletic contests, was car- ried on largely by chartered class-organizations. Great pride and heated rivalry spurred class members to exert efforts in these activities. State and interstate debates were very popular. The semi-monthly magazine, “The Tiger” offered an outlet for journalistic training. The year book, “The Cage” was edited and managed by the senior class, to- getlier with senior sponsors and English department. Now noth paper and year-book are a pare of the journalism de- partment. Hardly had the school been housed in The Temple,” when it became apparent that more room was needed. This gave rise to the annex for class-room space, and the auditorium and gymnasium. The new auditorium served both community and school. Here we welcomed famous actors, statesmen and artists. Mary Lewis and Helen Keller both appeared here. In 1927, to the amazement, pride and joy of citizens, faculty, and students, the present high school was ready for occupancy. Noted visiters to our city dubbed it 'The most beautiful high school in America. Our auditorium which seats 2050 people has the third largest stage in America. It served as city auditor- ium until the Robinson Memorial Auditorium was built. Here we heard Fritz Kreisler, Eddy Cantor, John McCor- mick, Nelson Eddy, Ethel Barrymore, and many other famous stars of opera, screen and stage .Our stadium is one of the best in the country. For forty years, assemblies, clubs, class plays, athletic, and social life in form of banquets, luncheons, and picnics have offered diversion from the regular scholarship cur- riculum. Now, many of these activities are a part of the daily schedule. The present day assembly is the outgrowth of spelling bees, Friday programs, community gatherings and enter- tainment. Our recreation hall offers social diversion for students throughout the day. Our student governing hotly, National Honor Society, and other organizations, were outgrowths of the idea of the total development of the individual—mentally, moral- ly, physically, and socially. Here are embodied the ideas of leadership, scholarship, character, and service. All through the half-century clubs have been organ- ized to stimulate interest and to develop individual talent. They served also as a stabalizing influence during war hysteria. During World War I, every pupil in high school belonged to one or more of the 2S clubs, many of which were newly organized to carry out war projects. Advancement in the scholarship of the instructors has kept pace and aided materially in the progress of the school. The Smith-Hughes Act, and other government agencies, made many vocational courses possible. Thus in almost half a century our high school has ex- panded from a few rooms to the present extensive plant, covering four blocks square. Its tributaries, the three junior high schools and Tech High School are also large institutions. These all are coordinated in a program for the development of a l etter civic school system.

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Spend not thy life in hate. For what is hate? It is fell Satan’s tool, that splits apart From Virtue’s fort and jewelled heav’nlv gate The weak, ill-treated, poor and sick at heart Who curse their fate instead of using art Or talent their environment to raise. It is a fire from Hell, which doth impart Not to its object flame, but awful blaze Upon its author’s head. Live not thy days In hate. For what is hate? A searing coal: Destroying mind and strength and holy ways. It burns forever the immortal soul. But spend thv youth and prime and age in love, The dearest grace begotten from above. For love hath pow'r upon this wicked sphere To give to those who love, a holy mien Of honor, mercy, kindness. Godly fear. Humility, long-suffering, a sheen At last of glory. Live a life serene And full of love for men, and see them grow In virtue from thy love. From quean to queen. All people, gratitude-impelled, do show A better life for being loved, and lo. The qualities of those who love are born To live in those they love. Then overflow With love, nor be afraid of human scorn: A Man of old once told thee, after Jove, Thy neighbor even as thyself to love. And out of love comes service. Leave thv life. And give to God and man thv very soul. Nor gain for self nor power seek. To strife With evil all thy strength devote; thy goal Make high and great, nor heed the distant roll Of Satan’s drums; for God to men divine Gives grace, confirms and strengthens them. Their stole Is easy, and their burden light, and thine, If thou to men thy love and strength assign. Then make thy goal not transitory bliss. But living service, pure and sweet and fine. Not looking for reward; but know thou this: Our God hath promised those who lose the most That they hall find more than they ever lost. -Kenneth Ware