Northwest High School - Chieftain Yearbook (Canal Fulton, OH)

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CHIEFTAIN GUIDE TIONS TTWEST HIGH SCHOOL V V a i.i:('■ i:ni) i h growth ... 4- PHOMORE -75 RES

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IN DEDICATION TO MISS MARY E. FLETCHER . . Above all, however, it is through their lives that teachers give their greatest lessons. By living honestly, they teach honesty; by being human?, they preach humanity; by showing sympathy and understanding to the least in their care, they help to make these virtues a part of all those about them; and by living beautifully, they plant the ha- bit of beauty in young lives. In their patience and self-sacrifices, they say more than a thousand sermons are able to say. By example rather than by precept, they teach. Their language is not of dogma, but of deeds. It is with a deep sense of satisfaction and a keen appreciation of excellence in teaching that we proudly dedicate this yearbook to Miss Mary Fletcher. For her loyalty to Northwest High School, for her dedication to her many students who came in search of knowledge and understanding, for her faithful endurance, and for the steadfast integrity and honesty portrayed, we admiring- ly say thank you to someone who has inspired us to be better educators and more understanding human beings. We realize that knowledge may be gained from books, but we further realize that the true love of knowledge is transmitted only by the personal contact of the teacher. She communicates her own joy in learning, and shares with her students the best treasures of her mind. She lights the. many candles, which in later years will shine back to cheer her. No one has deserved better to be praised as a teacher. No one is more worthy of the title teacher than Miss Mary Fletcher. In Sincere Appreciation, Nick Corral Principal Northwest High School 2

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THE STORY OF NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL BY MARY E. FLETCHER Northwest High School sits on a gentle hilltop in a semi-rural area very near the center of the Northwest Local School District. Its 43-acre campus overlooks the Tuscarawas River and vestiges of the historic Ohio-Erie Canal. Because the Northwest Local School District is the result of a consolidation of the former Canal Fulton Local and West Franklin (or Clinton) Local School Districts, the high school was constructed halfway between Canal Fulton and Clinton. In the late 1940 s, it had become apparent that neither of these two districts would have sufficient enrollments to meet standards being set by the State of Ohio to receive State aid and yet operate as separate systems. Each community considered various solutions. Canal Fulton discussed a consolidation with the rest of Lawrence Town- ship, for the Tuslaw School System was not yet in existence. It was suggested that Marshallville might be included since through extended bus routes, Canal Fulton had annexed territory several miles into Wayne County. The Clinton community considered merging with Manchester, or even with the Norton System. None of these plans proved satisfactory. Finally because of the close proximity of the two towns and the similar geographic backgrounds-- but only after long deliberation and many discouraging disagreements--the consolidation was authorized by the Stark County Board of Education in August of 1953. Thus, the entire district involving parts of three counties came under its jurisdiction, except for a small part of West Franklin Township which was transferred to Norton. The new consolidation became known as the Northwest Local School District merely because of its location in the northwest section of Stark County. In order to treat each community fairly, the new board of education (representing each community) measured the distance between the two towns and fortunately was able to purchase 43 acres of a farm at the halfway mark, 1 1 2 miles from each town. This site for the new high school was considered good because of its scenic beauty, its acreage for ex- pansion, the abundance of water from the new wells, and the trunk line of the East Ohio Gas Company nearby to assure ready fuel. In September of 1953, the high school students from Clinton were transported to Canal Fulton and all housed in the high school building there. This student body numbered approximately 260. The bond issue of $500,000 was passed the first time it was submitted to the voters. By September 1956, the new building was completed and ready for use. It was dedicated with fitting ceremony on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, November 4, 1956. As visitors streamed through the new building and over the campus, it seemed commodious with 15 class rooms, a large gym, cafeteria, shop area, science and home economics labs, a lighted football field in a natural amphitheater, various fields for other sports and practices, and ample parking area. At that time the student body numbered 305 and the faculty, 15. The Canal Fulton and Clinton Elementary Schools, along with SS. Philip G James, provided the oncoming students. However, this seeming wealth of space was short-lived. By 1960 there were 362 students. By 1965 the student body was approximately 400, reaching the original capacity of the building. To meet the needs of growing enrollment, a new Middle School was opened on the south hill of the campus for grades 6, 7, and 8, thus relieving the congestion in the Canal Fulton and Clinton Elementary Schools which had already under- gone several additions. The high school band room was remodeled into a library. A new bandroom complete with offices, a wing with four new classrooms, rest rooms, and storage facilities; and an office suite of three rooms were also added. These additions were all in use by 1966, and the space again seemed ample. By 1970, there were 447 students and 27 teachers. Since that time, the shop area has been enlarged, a science annex contructed, a bus garage with a storage area ad- jacent, a separate athletic hrilding, the W.S. Stinson Elementary building for grades 5 and 6, a mobile home remodeled for a radio station, and most recently a suite of rooms leased for the district administrative offices. The student body presently numbers 673 and the faculty 35, plus 2 counselors and 2 principals. Thus, the student body has gained 413 students above its original 260. This is the first-half of the story of Northwest High School. The closing pages of the CHIEFTAIN continue to relate the story of growth and improvement. 4