Phillips High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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The School Senior Section Underclassmen Organizations Athletics Alumni Features Humor

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HISTORY OF PHILLIPS A great philosopher once said that n great institution is but the prolonged shadow of a great man. John Herbert Phillip High School is not only the shadow of a great personality, but the brain child of a great educator. When Birmingham was an infant in arms, his were the hands that rocked the cradle in which our high school grew from l ahyhood to a healthy and vigorous childhood, and when it al andoned its cradle and grew into youth, his mind conceived the path of its destiny and projected its future. Dr. John Hcr!»crt Phillips was the lirst superintendent of the Birmingham High School, which ! cgan in 1883 in a little brick building on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Twenty-fourth Street. With Dr. Phillips. Mr. Kdgar Wingfield taught the forty-six pupils then enrolled. After two years, the school was moved to the Wright building on the northwest corner of Third Avenue and Nineteenth Street. I he first graduating class, in 1885. adopted as their school motto. “Per Aspera Ad Astra.” and as their class motto, Ducimus Viam.” The school was transferred in 1890 tothc old Park Avenue Hotel on thecorner of Park Avenue and Twenty-first Street. There, under the new principal. Mr. A. C. Moore, the first literary societies, the Yancey and Clio, were organised. In this year the Shakespearean Symjiosium. a contest on the Shakespearean play studied by the students during that year, had its beginning. The dramatic element soon Itecamc a part of the sym|K xium and the acting of the scenes liccamc as important as the literary contests. In the years following the acting of the scenes became more and more important and soon the dramatization of the Shakespearean play was one of the biggest events of the year. At the time that Mr. 1. B. Cunningham succeeded Mr. Moore, the school library was l»cgun. The Birmingham Public library, which had l»ccii located in the same building with the school, was moved to the City Hall. The students raised money for the school library by presenting plays and giving bazaars. In 1902 the Kutcr| cnn Club was organized and from that time students of unusual musical talent have l ecn discovered and given training in musical comedies, operettas, and other musical fields, through their activities in this club. The Aglaia Literary Society was organized in 1904 and the Pierian and Hilliard in 190b. The High School was moved in 1905 to the new Central High School on Seventh Avenue and Twenty-fourth Street. Since all student institutions must l»c represented by some publication worthy of the institution. Central High School published its first literary achievement. The Mirror, in May 1907. Since that time the Mirror lias played an im| ortant part in reflecting the High Lights of student activities, and in drawing the student laxly into a closer communication, thus creating school spirit. Soon alter this, club spirit among the literary societies licgan to show itself alxivc the horizon. This spirit was fostered and manifested by the annual joint debate, and later bv the inter-club oratorical. The oratorical, since its Iwgiuning, has proved one of the most interesting events of the school year. In fact, oratorical activities, as a whole, have proved most fruitful. In late years our high school orators have l ccn twice selected for first place in the National contest on the Constitution, held at Washington. Before representing the school at Washington, it is necessary that the contestant should win first in the school, county, district, and region of the country. Our high school record is one of which every student and every alumnus of Phillips and Central may well l»c proud.