Newton Community High School - Nu Kom I Yearbook (Newton, IL)

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Q ee e ee ee H Nur-Kom-dl Do ume 3 Publislied bq Senior Class Newton Communitq High School Newton, Illinois E l iiii i All iw- E

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For many years the hub of knowledge in Jasper county has been the N. H. S. From it four hundred and eighteen spokes radiate in all directions and in- clude farmers, housewives, ministers, physicians, educators, journalists, legis- lators and many others. The only Red Cross nurse from jasper county, to go over seas, was Miss Bertha Beeman, a graduate of '10, who later became the wife of Dr. Baumann. In 1883 H. S. was the one room, third story attic of the grade building. In 1884 the school purchased a piano which has been used for every im- aginable purpose until this year. Now it is a sad relic of by-gone days. The first superintendent, N. S. Scovill, was known by his black skull cap, shining shoes, and immaculate collar. He always said that a man could be judged by his collar. XYhen conducting opening exercises he exhorted the scholars to get wisdom and knowledge and with all this getting, get under- standing. He was proud of the first graduating class. Commencement exercises were held in the M. E. Church and the following week he gave a party for the graduates. This was the forerunner of the Alumni Banquets. To these banquets were invited the Board of Education, Ministers, Seniors, Juniors, Alumni and parents. At first a real dinner was served, later it degenerated into an ice cream and cake affair and was finally abandoned in 1906. In 1887 there was no graduating class, for the school was being enlarged, both in building and curriculum. About this time prim Miss Nancy Cummins became principal. VVhen searching for the culprit she stood with her arms crossed over her tight basque with its row of buttons, dozens and dozens of them. From under her tightly curled false front her blue eyes snapped as she said to the offender, Charles, that will be ten demerit marks for you and you may stay after school. In 1906 the first child of an Alumnus graduated. This was Victor john- son, whose mother graduated in 183. Since then many have gone through the school their parents attended. Again the school outgrew its space. Plans for a township high school were defeated. So once more the building was enlarged by a line large wing. XYhile it was being built, 1908-1909, some of the students had to assemble in an upstairs suite in the Gilmore block where they had a very good time. The new building was ready for occupancy in October, 1909. In June, 1910, the first class which had gone to the school in this new building was graduated. This was the largest class which had ever graduated. The school continued to grow. Old customs gave way for new, the most notable of which was the Junior-Senior Reception and Banquet. For many years these were held in private homes, but in 1910 it was held at the New American llotel. Principal and teachers have changed frequently. C. E. Girhard probably was connected longer with the school than any other person. The school received a jolt when the U. S. entered the war. The students gladly went to school on Saturdays in 1918, so they could be free in April to do their bit on farms and in the towns. The next year the fight for the Community High School began. The Womans Club supported this movement actively. Finally the district was voted in. Two years later the new building was completed and the Class of '23 will be the first to graduate from it. Thus for two generations Newton has had a High School with a record of which the residents of the town and country may be proud. Thrcv