Pandora Gilboa High School - Mirror Yearbook (Pandora, OH)

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The l-listory ot lQiley Qural School Our Alma Mater first opened her doors as a centralized school in 1927. The movement to establish this school started from the one-room country schools of Riley township and the two-room brick school of Pandora. The first school house in town was a log building which is now the southeast part of the Donald McDowell Implement Shop. As th-e population grew, the school house became so crowded that provisions were made to send the advanced pupils to the United Brethren church. The pupils sat on seats without desks or backs. The United Brethren church vi as located on the north side of the alley back of Huser's Barber Shop on the Alex Burry lot. A two-room brick building was erected in 1870 on North jefferson Street in Pan- dora. and it served as the school house until the early nineties. At that time it became so over-crowded that it was also necessary to use the large front room above the Ba- ringer Bros. Carriage Shop. which was located on the lot now occupied by the present Pandora Post Office. The two-room brick school hous-e was remodeled and is now owned by the Township Trustees. A two-months' term was taught in the spring and in the fall. The first teacher was J. D. Wamsley. When school rules were not obeyed to the letter, there was no hesitation in the use of the rod. The average teacher's pay was 37lfQc per day. It became evident then that a new high school building should be built to ac- commodate all the students. Two locations were considered: namely, the south part of town near the railroad on the road leading south past the Grace Mennonite church. and the Jesse Davy lots directly across from the two-room school house. After much controversy the first high school building was erected in 1895 on the jesse Davy lots. The approximate building cost was :lS15,000. It was believed that this new four- room school house would be too large for the increasing enrollment. This supposition later proved to be false. The first high school building served as a community center, but it was soon seen that it was not adequate for the school's rapidly-developing needs. The present art room and sixth grade room were formerly connected by a sliding partition that could be lifted into the atticg thus the two rooms were converted into a large hall. There

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MIRROR published by tlwe Senior Class of V943 PANDORA HIGH SCHOOL Pandora, Olwio Amy Leiglwtner, Alford Diller, Co-Editors

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was also a stage at the north side of the hall. Many Hspellin' bees, literary gatherings, and community affairs were held in this hall. This hall was crowded to capacity one Friday evening in April, 1898. The occa- sion was the first commencement of the Riley Township High School. Miss Mary Davy, who had pursued the three years' high school course, was the only graduate, therefore she received all the honors. Her oration was entitled, 'tNew England Liberality. The address of the evening was given by Rev. Henry Jamison, of Delaware, Ohio. Music was furnished by a choir. Commencements were held then each following year. In 1902, however, there was no commencement because one more year was added to the course which made a four- year high school course. A musical program was given that year with an admission fee of five cents. The proceeds were used to pay for the tuning of the school piano. The Pandora Village School Board and the Riley Township School Board held a joint session in 1905. It was decided that the two districts should be united for high school purposes. They also resolved that it was necessary to have a new building for the accommodation of the pupils of the town and township. Some opposed the build- ing of the second high school on the grounds that the transfer of territory was illegal. The Supreme Court of Ohio, however, rendered their decision in favor of the transfer. The second high school building was erected in 1910 at an approximate cost of S20,000. It was located just south of the first four-room structure. Another addition was built in 1927-1928 to the original high school and joined on the north side. This addition provided the school with an auditorium, which is also used as a gymnasium and a com- munity room and kitchen. This room is now the school cafeteria and is also used for many community affairs. In 1940 a hall was built to join the present high school building and the grade-school building. Some improvements on the buildings have also been made. Additional property was purchased for a park and playground. The superintendents who have served this school from 1895 to the present time are the following: W. S. Sackett, 1895-98, P. D. Amstutz, 1898-1907, C. D. Steiner, 1907-10, J. A. Smith, 1910-16, George Erf, 1916-22, C. D. Steiner, 1922-36, Glenn Hilty, 1936-38, Charles R. Grothaus, 1938 to the present. The Pandora schools have ranked high in music. The girls' glee club, boys' glee club, and mixed chorus have participated in many contests in which they received the highest honors. Many ensemble and solo numbers have also received high rank. The band and orchestra, although they have not participated in any music contests, have also made a name for themselves in our community. Pandora continues to be known for its activity in sports. Basketball, baseball, football and track are the main sports participated in by our enthusiastic students. Honors have also been won in scholastic ability. Tests are given each year in the various subjects offered to determine the honor students in each subject. County, district and state contests are held each year, and appropriate awards are given. The students have an opportunity to join the various clubs in the school. Often high honors in the state are won by these students. The active clubs in our school at the present time are the following: Girl Reserves, Camptire Girls, Girls' 4-H Club, Girls' F. H. A. Club, Boy Scouts, Boys' F. F. A. Club, Boys' 4-H Club. Plays, concerts, operettas, and other programs are another phase of our present school life. These are presented by classes or clubs. The S pyglass is our school paper, which is published every three weeks. Our high school annual, the M ifror, is published according to the wishes of each senior class. The alumni association of our school is also active. A meeting is held each year. Many projects for the bettering of our school and community can be attributed to our alumni association. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The Mirror staff of 1943 is indebted to Mrs. C. D. Steiner for the information furnished for the writing of this history. ' P1128 1