Mercedes High School - Bengal Yearbook (Mercedes, TX)

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Administration . . . ,111 1..w5M:,,W..M., ...V , ,,1 '17 , gf.. C144-41-' ' -hifi-L 4- MR. L.W. ST. CLAIR MRS. CURTIS REAGAN Superintendent Secretary 1951 - 'g5,::' .... .Sf ,.......... :WSL AT ' 5-Q 4, 'L. I j in , X 5 , Vx I nf VY I K 1-he v X I I ll: if 1 V QM - H uf nf V - N- -1- QTTUIIUITEIIII L I il jg .. N -vnu-uma' 0' ' ' f+'f2f': 5 'N . , -L ,-4 ,fi,.,,A ' H Q 4 , 1 , ,.,.,., fffvsi-fi ,xfgfsfs Vw J,'xwt1,- ., ,- I - , -.-59 . Q MRS. STANLEY F. CERNOSEK MR. STANLEY F, CERNOSEK Secretary 1952 Principal

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f W: ab lo of ConTenTs ADMINISTRATION FAC ULTY CLASSES FAVORITES ORGANIZATION SPORTS INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGE SNAPSHOTS MAINTENANCE WORKERS AUTOGRAPHS CALENDER 1951-52 August 20-24: High School Registration August 27: Meeting of Superintendent with Principals August 30-31: Faculty Meetings September 3: Labor Day--No School Activity September 4: Opening Day of School September 4-2.8: First Month of School October 1-26: Second Month of School October 12: End of first Six Weeks Period October 29--November 23: End of Third Month of School November 22-23: Thanksgiving November 23: End of Second Six Weeks Period November 26--December 21: Fourth Month of School December 21: Schools close for Christmas Vacation. January 2: Open from Christmas Vacation January 2--February 1, 1952: Fifth Month of School January 18: End of Third Six Weeks Period February 4-29: Sixth Month of School February 29: End of Fourth Six Weeks Period March 3-28: Seventh Month of School March 7: TSTA District III Convention in Harlingen March 31-April 25: Eighth Month of School April 11 and 14: Easter Vacation April 10: End of Fifth Six Weeks Period April 28-May 23: Ninth Month of School May 25: Baccalaureate Service May 26: Grading of Examination papers and completing reports and report cards 0 May 27: Textbooks to be checked in and Report Cards Given to pupils May 27: High School Graduation Exercises May 28: Final Reports of Teachers to be checked in.

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School Board . . . The Mercedes Independent Srliool District was officially organized on June 13, 1908, at which time the newly elected members ofthe Board nf Education met with the Hidalgo County Superintendent ot'Schoo1s, Mr. R.E. Marsh. Mr. Marsh instructed the Board as to methods and procedures for actually opening a school. On Septemberll, l908the first schoolwas conducted in rented buildings, with four teachers as the initial faculty. During the 1910 school terrn, the first bond issue was voted and a small School was erected to be the property ofthe District. This was the beginning of the Harriet Claycomb School which was located on the block now known as the Sproles Property . At the same time, a school was erected in the North part of town forthe convenience of the children living in that area. The trustees found it necessary to employ nine teachers forthe 1911-IZ school year and at that time officially designated the head teacher or principal as the superintendent. If our records are correct, a 1V1r. J.M. Hamlett was the first person to hold this position. On April 88, 1917, the Thirty-Fifth Legislature, by special enactment, increased the district to its presentsize of 36.4 square miles. Roughly speaking, the District extends from Mile Three on the South to Mile Twelve North and from the Cameron County line on the East to Mile One West. In 1919 bonds were voted to build a new high School--the building now used for the South Elementary School. This building was completedand occupied earlyin 1921. During 1927 the Junior High School building was completed and this unit was opened as a separate school, with a principal of its own. The Senior High Schooland the Cafeteria-Gymnasiumwere occupied in 1931. At this time the old high school was completely renovated, four classrooms were added, and it became the South Elementary School. In the depression yea rs of 1932-33, the .Tumor-Senior High Schools were combined as a six year high school in order that one principal might be utilizedvby both schools and that teachers might be more readily used in both departments. In the opinion of the Board of Education, this organization was not only more economical but seemed to be the most practical and has been continued as a permanent system. The Mercedes Schools were among the first inthe entire State of Texas to adopt the twelve year program. The plan was adopted in 1935 beginning with the primary department and progressed through the system so that the 11147 graduating class was the first to have actually been in school forthe full twelve yea rs. The program on a State wide basis has been in vogue for some five or six years. The first superintendent's report, ofwhichvue have a record, is that submitted in 1915 by Superintendent William Dietel. His report indicatesthfitatotaloffll1 students were enrolled in all grades, 43 in high school and 4 inthe senior class. Mr. Dietel was followedas supe rintendentby Miss Nanriie Mer Buck who held the position until 1924. She in turn, was followed by 1V1r. C.Vl'. Taylor and Mr. H.E. Millsap. Mr. Ernest H. Poteet became super- intendentin l9Z6and served until he moved to Harlingen in 1941. Mr. Leon Grahm was superintendent from 1941 until 1751. Mr. L.W. St. Clair is the present .-dministrative head ofthe Mercedes Schools. 1 I I I SITTING: MR. T.B. EWING, DR. T.G. EDWARDS, MR. JOE WINSTON, PRESIDENTQ MR. L.W. ST. CLAIR, MR. BILL DILLON. STANDING: MR. CLYDE HOLLON, MR. JAMES MCELYEA, MR,FRED JOHNSTON. SECRETARY TO THE BOARD: NIR. E.E. MARCHANT.