Paris High School - Arena Yearbook (Paris, IL)

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HISTORY OF PARIS HIGH SCHOOL In presenting the following pages of history we are indebted to the Class of ’10 for having recorded many of the facts in the first edition of THE ARENA. In the year 1842 the old Methodist Seminary was founded by public subscription by the people of Paris upon the grounds where the old High School building (now Mayo) stands today. The ground was donated for school purposes by Colonel Jonathan Mayo, one of the wealthiest land owners in this vicinity. Eventually, as the result of a growing demand, the old Seminary was turned into a public high school, laying the foundation for the splendid institution we have today. Miss Sophia Watson was the first principal.” It was from this old building that the first six classes were graduated. In 1881 a three-story brick building was erected, after the former seminary had burned. OLD HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING This building afforded space for the primary grades on the first floor; the grammar grades on second; and high school on third. After twenty-eight years the high school had grown to such proportions that it became necessary to erect the new building on South Main Street in 1908. The name of the old building was then changed to Mayo.” It continued to be occupied by the elementary grades until it burned January 20, 1927. Now the new Mayo building occupies the site. The new building, which is shown in the frontispiece, was dedicated February 8, 1909. The principal addresses were delivered by Mr. Francis G. Blair, State Superintendent of Schools, and Mr. H. A. Hollister, of the University of Illinois. This building was adequate for a short time only, and in 1921 the citizens of Paris voted to build and equip two additional wings so as to provide ample space for the ever-growing student body. FACULTY, 1910 Reading from right to left we find the following members in the 1910 Faculty: Mr. O. R. Jones, mathematics; Miss Ella Slemmons, history; Miss Ethel Howell, Latin; Miss Carolyn Wenz, English; Mr. E. B. Brooks, Superintendent; Miss Bertha Miller, principal, history; Miss Cora Jacobs, science; Miss Helen Miller, German and English; and Mr. Wallace, physics.

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3it Jflniuuiam Edward Levings A member of the Board of Education of Paris Union School District for twenty-one years, 1910-1931; President during the school years of 1915-’16 and 1929-’30. After his resignation in 1931 he was appointed Treasurer for the district in 1932, which position he held until his death, January 31, 1935. Burnie McClain A member of the Board of Education of Paris Union School District for seventeen years, from 1917 until his death June 4, 1934. He was President of the Board from 1923 until 1926.

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Today the faculty has increased to twenty-seven members, Miss Wenz being the only one of the original group who still remains among the instructors. The Senior Class of ’10 started a new venture, that of publishing an annual. To that end they offered a copy of their new book as a prize to the student who should submit the most appropriate title. THE ARENA”, was suggested by Clifford Rahel, a sophomore. The name is suggestive of the meaning, for as the Arenas of the Middle Ages displayed their pageants, so THE ARENA of P.H.S. records the events of the school year. ARENA STAFF, 1910 The first staff was composed of: Genevieve Huston, Sophomore Editor; Robert Scott, Advertising Manager; Faye Moss, Junior Editor; Silas Moffett, Advertising Manager; Myrle Rahel, Assistant Editor; Ira W. Allen, Editor-in-Chief; Mary Lodge, Jokist; Walter Bond, Business Manager; and Charlotte Kile, Freshman Editor. The Cadets, a military organization, was perhaps one of the most popular extra-curricular activities in P.H.S. in 1910. The first company was organized in the autumn of 1896 through the influence of Superintendent Shoop. Its main purpose was to build up the physical as well as the moral character of the boys of the school. The company had regular THE CADETS, 1910 periods for drill and for the study of military tactics. No companies were organized during 1902 and ’03; however, new interest was aroused in the fall of ’04 when the company was reorganized and continued then until it was finally disbanded in 1921. Athletics also had a prominent place in the school at this time, as we find teams organized in football, basketball, baseball, field and track. They were playing regular schedules with out-of-town teams. Owing to the absence of a regular coach and a convenient playing field, the football team did not have a chance to develop into a strong winning team.” Not only do the ordinary rules of eligibility prevail, but in addition no one is allowed to participate who is given to the use of alcohol or tobacco.” A summary shows three games won; four lost; and one tied.