Nazareth Area High School - Comet Yearbook (Nazareth, PA)

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The COMET GOVERNOR GEORGE WOLF Dedication To Qovernor Qeorge Wolf, who established and upheld free public education in Pennsylvania, we gratefully dedicate this “Comet”. NAZARETH HIGH SCHOOL - 1934 I 4 I

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Contents Dedication The Father of the Public School System Comet Staff School Board of Education Administration Faculty Greetings Seniors Poem In Memoriam Classes Organizations Activities Athletics Humor Patrons Advertisers

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The COML r The Father of The Public School System” AT the end of the trail of 100 years from the little log school house to temples of learning built of concrete and steel, we pause this year to celebrate thecentennial anniversaryof our educational system in Pennsylvania. We, in the county of Northampton, which has had the honor of being the birthplace of the man. through whose determination and perseverance education was provided for all children, rich and poor alike, highly honor the memory of that man—Governor George Wolf. This man. known as the “Father of the Public School System”, was born in Allen Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, August 12th, 1777, of German parentage. His father gave financial and moral support in helping to erect the “Wolf Academy”; and at eight years of age. young George began his elementary education in that building. After graduating from there, he passed on to other fields of work: but later returned to teach at the same school, which was still a private institution. George Wolf held many positions. Some of these were; lawyer, postmaster of Easton, clerk of Orphans’ Court, a member of Congress, and Governor of Pennsylvania; but he is best remembered for his efforts in establishing a public school system in Pennsylvania in 1834. When the committee on education of the state House of Representatives, 1830-31, reported an estimation that “of 400,000 children between five and fifteen years of age, more than 250,000 have not been in school during the last year”, the campaign for free public schools was on. There was much excitement over the state as the 1833-34 session of the General Assembly got under way with free schools as the chief issue. Governor Wolf said in his message: “It is time, fellow citizens, that the character of our state be redeemed from the state of stupidness and indifference under which its most important interest, the education of its citizens, has so long been languishing.” Proponents of the free public schools were victorious in a rather spectacular battle and the bill was unanimously passed by both House and Senate in 1834. Schools began to grow throughout the state but education yet faced its greatest struggle. Two years later opponents of the school system began their fight for repeal, and Governor Wolf, who bravely asserted that the new system was decidedly preferable to the old from every point of view, was defeated at the ensuing election. Thaddeus Stevens in the Assembly made a famous speech which won the victory for free schools. We. the school children of today, who are enjoying the benefits of this school system, believe as did Thaddeus Stevens in 1835 when he said of Governor Wolf, “he deserves the undying gratitude of the people for the steady, untiring zeal which he has manifested in favor of common schools.” Emily G. Hughes ’34 NAZARETH HIGH SCHOOL - 1934 [ 5 ]