Longfellow High School - Log Yearbook (Kearney, NE)

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Backward Glance A From small beginnings, great things grow, and so with the Kearney Public Schools. - From a single, small frame house, to a central campus of four modern buildings, to- gether with three schools in outlying districts, accommodating a total of over two thousand pupils-that is the record of the Kearney schools. Back in 1872, more than 50 years ago, as a result of the steadily increasing population, the people of Kearney turned 'Hotel Collins' into a six-month school with Miss Fanny Nevius, the teacher, and Oscar Hansen, principal. Two years later, the first senior class was graduated in a roller skating rink on Avenue A. In 1880 a school called XVhittier was erected where the Manual Arts building now stands and ten teachers employed-compared with the seventy, in the system today. This building, the best equipped in the state, was noted for its large belfry. In 1890, 365,000 was appropriated to add another building-the present Senior High, the north wing of which was added in 1912. In 1921, the present 'Whittier' building was erected and old NVhittier' became a Junior High. A new Junior High was built in 1925 and dedicated on September 24, 1926. This building was a result of years of continuous effort on the part of the late O. A. Wirsig. former superintendent. 1 The first superintendent, Mr. Miller, ended his position. in Kearney schools in 1885, and was succeeded by Miss M. I. Stuart, now deceased, who presided over the system from 1885 until 1888. I. Morey, who retired last year from the Omaha Technical High, was superintendent in 1888-1901.', A. O. Thomas, superintendent in 1901-1905, has gradually risen to one of the highest positions for an educator. He is, at present. president of the International Education Asso- ciation with headquarters in Wlashington, D. C., where he is now residing. Superintendent George Butgert, who headed the schools from 1905 to 1909, is in busi- ness in Lincoln, while his successor, Harry E. Bradford, at present head of the agricultural department at the University of Nebraska, was at the helm from 1909 to 1912. Roy E. Cochran, superintendent in the years 1912 to 1915, is in the history department in the State University. - . Superintendent A. L. Caviness, who directed the activities from 1915 to 1921, and Superintendent O. A. Wirsig from 1921 to 1932, the men who preceded our present super- intendent, Harry A. Burke, are both deceased. xr ou Superintendents at Kearney 1 Miss M. I. Stuart. 2 J. I. Morey. 3 A. 0. Thomas. 4 George Burgert. 5 Harry E. Bradford. 6 Roy E. Cochran. 7 A. L. Caviness. 8 O. A. Wirsig. Jn, ' v , . Page Seven

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Page Eight H. A. BURKE R. H. CARTER Superintendent. Senior High Principal. I Superintendent Witli the golden anniversary year as' his first as head of the Kearney schools, Super- . 'PG . . . . . . mtendent Harry A. Burke 'gsucceeded in uniting the faculty and pupils in a cooperative and progressive attitude. g Mr. Burke is well qualified for his position with his A. B. degree from University of Idaho, his M. A. degree from Stanford Uiiiversity and his work nearly completed for a Doctor's from Columbia. The entire system of Kearney schools has undergone a definite change under the super- vision of Mr. Burke. He has proved himself worthy of his position in a system which has such an outstanding background as has Kearney's. r hr Principal R. H. Carter, who this year took over the position of registrar along with his regular duties as principal, was graduated from Doane College, was a student of the University of Nebraska and will receive his Nl. A. degree from Unis'ersity of Southern California with six weeks more work. Mr. Carter is the head sponsor of the Student Advisory Board, National Honor Society and Hi-Y. During this year, his fourth in Kearney High, Mr. Carter has introduced a new registration system and has assisted Mr. Burke in his revision of school regulations.