Merrillville High School - Merrillvue Yearbook (Merrillville, IN)

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History of the Ross Township High School T HE Ross Township High School had its beginning in the year 18%. At that time Dr. H. L. lddings, the trustee, saw the need for higher edu- cation. Through the efforts of Dr. lddings, work- ing in coopera- t i o n with County Super- i ntendent Cooper, M r . liOcke was se- cured as a grade teacher with the un- derstan ding he was to teach high school branch- es to those who wished to continue their education. The first class consisted of Alta Hal- stead, Chris- tina Lennertz, and Cora Pierce. The first classes were conducted in a somewhat different manner from those of today The pupils were allowed to progress as rapidly as they were able. In some in- stances, practically two years of work was covered in one. It might be of interest to know what became of this first class; Miss Pierce became a music teacher, Miss I ennertz and Miss Halstead became school teach- ers. Miss Len- nertz taught four years and Miss Halstead some years longer. After she ceased teach- ing, Miss Hal- stead took up the study of law and was admitted t o the bar, being the fourth wo- man in Lake County and the first wo- man to be ad- mitted on ex- amination up to that time. She is now en- gaged in the practice of law in Hobart. In- diana. This first class proved the need for higher educa- tion and the success achieved Oy these three students, working under the handicaps of those days, should be an inspiration to the students of modern times. DR. H. L. I DOINGS TRUSTEE IN 189G

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DEDICATION T HIS volume is dedicated to the first and best of all civic virtues — Patriotism, seen in a citzen- ship of Christian morality and intel- ligence, that honors the flag and reads in its glowing colors the suffer- ing and sacrifice of the past, the glory and progress of the present and prosperity of the future, an em- blem which speaks the greatness and power of our nation. A Patriotism that loves the land, eulogizes its achievements in prose and poetry, admires its traditions, strives to pre- serve the moral qualities and integ- rity of the people, is law abiding and fights all that degrades national life and character and would undermine the national fabric.

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The high school was conducted along the same lines with Mr. Kay as teach- er with equal success for several years. It became so successful that it was an inspiration to Mr. F. M. Pierce, the trustee, and to the community in gener- al. They realized that in order to do the quality of work which was in keeping with the times, more room and better equipment w-ere needed. Consequently, Mr. Pierce had plans drawn and a new- building erected in the year 1901. At this time Mr. Morey was secured to take charge of the high school in the new building, where he conducted the Freshman and Sophomore classes for two years. The true w ' orth of our high school was proved at this time by Inez Burge, a member of one of our early classes, who graduated from the Crown Point High School as Valedictorian. Following Mr. Morey, Mr. Quillen conducted the high school for two years giving a three year high school course. One of Mr. Quillen’s pupils, Mr. Floyd Demmon. is at present At- torney of Hobart, Indiana, and Deputy Prosecutor. 0. A. Cassidy was employed to suc- ceed Mr. Quillen for the following year. The school dropped back to a one year high school course, the teacher di- viding his time with the upper grade teacher. In 190H Chas. 1. Goodpaster took charge of the school and continued ns principal until 1913. It was during Mr. ( Inod paster’s principalship that the school was first accredited. In 1907- 190k Mr. Goodpaster added another year to the high school course, giving all the instruction himself. He w-orked very hard to do this, hampered as he was by lack of time and equipment. T wo more students brought credit to Merrillville. Eva Burge graduated from Crown Point as her class valedic- torian in 1910 and in 1914 Vida Pierce graduated from the Gary High School as her class valedictorian. In 1913-1914 the high school was headed by Paul Linton. Then more equipment was added and the work be- gan to assume a better standard. Fred Ewing was the instructor for the year 1914-1915. At this period two years of high school w-ork were giv- en. Those wishing to complete their high school education were transferred elsewhere. At this time some of the early pupils had secured teacher’s licenses and w r ere teaching in the town- ship and elsewhere in the county. Orrin Walker conducted the school from 1915 to 1917, giving a little broad er course than before. Mr. Walker taught literature, algebra, geometry, history and Latin. In 1917-1918 the school had two teachers. Mr. Hathly and B. E. Nelson. Again in 1919 a pupil of our school. Edith Pierce, graduated from Gary High School as her class valedictorian. Jennie Elmore taught the high school for the next three years with the ex- ception of a few months, when, owing to illness, her place was filled by- Xerxes Silver. In 1918-1919 two high schools were conducted in Ross Township; Miss El- more taught at Merrillville and Miss