Princeton High School - Tiger Yearbook (Princeton, IL)

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Message F rom the Board of Education MEMBERS BACK Row DR. O. J. FLINT GUY A. BRYANT, President DAVID E. PAMP FRONT Row RICHARD M. SKINNER, Cleric CAMILLA B. FERRIS The Board of Education for Princeton Township High School has endeavored at all times to provide adequate instruction and equipment for the students of the community. At the same time the Board has tried to keep expenditures to a minimum. We feel that our high school building is one of which the community may well be proud. The stu- dents have done their part in keeping the building in excellent condition and the Board wishes to take this opportunity to commend them for their coopera- tion along this line and to urge their continued co- operation to this end. Our scholastic standards are high and because of this fact our school has three national honor organi- zations. A pupil must be fitted for all phases of life, so we have endeavored to include in the curricu- lum both academic and vocational subjects as well as a variety of extra curricular activities. Our hope is that Princeton may always have reason to consider the High School one of its most valued in- stitutions. 1

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History of the Princeton Township High School When Illinois was still a prairie the inhabitants of Princeton began to desire a public township high school. This desire was voiced in the Republican . One article was written by the editor and another by the Hon. John H. Bryant. This started the movement for a high school and in a few weeks the general plan for the establishment of the school was formed and presented to the public by the school trustees. On April 21, 1866, a meeting of the citizens was held to discuss the pro- posed high school. At an election on April 23rd of the same year the present site was selected and three directors chosen. There was no statute in Illinois authoriz- ing the establishment of a township high school so a charter was introduced into the legislature in January, 1867. The bill was signed immediately by the Governor and by May 3rd the plans were completed. By June the 360,000 building was completed and in August was dedi- cated to the people of Princeton Township. The following September the school opened with an enrollment of one hundred and thirty students. Mr. A. L. Boltwood was the first Principal and helped very much to make the school a success. Thus the first township high school in the state of Illinois was created. All graduates may rightfully feel proud of their Alma Mater. In 1894 the building was enlarged and remodeled. Because of the greater en- rollment it was again remodeled in 1908. Everything was running smoothly when, on December 15, 1924, the fire broke out and the old High School was no more. For the next year and a half the school activities were carried on in the City Hall, the Post Office, and the Christian and Swedish Mission Churches. Plans were made for the new building and construction was soon under way. The final cost of the building was S400,000 when it was completely equipped. On September 27, 1926, the new school was opened. A new building three hundred feet long and one hundred feet wide took the place of the old brick build- in. This new building is modern in every way, it contains twenty class roomsg an auditorium that will seat one thousand people, a library containing several hundred volumes, many of them gifts of the Alumnig well equipped science labora- tories and an excellent gymnasium. The most recent improvement is the comple- tion of the athletic field. The citizens and students of Princeton should be proud of the high standing of their school. It is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Col- leges and Secondary Schools. All graduates of the Princeton Township High School are admitted without examination to all western universities and colleges. It has been placed on the accredited list on a large number of the eastern schools. -Pauline Kopp '33

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OWEN V. SHAFFER Principal Psychology Message F rom Mr. Shaffer The modern high school in America must, if it justifies its existence, prepare young men and young women for life in a democracy. Princeton Township High School has accepted this challenge and obligation. We believe that the best preparation for life in a democracy is the experience of living in a democracy. Thus, Princeton High School strives in every activity to follow democratic principles. In the classrooms, assemblies, and extra- curricular work, students under guidance cultivate their special aptitudes and practice self-control. Princeton High School has always been proud of her students and her students have always been proud of her. May this condi- tion ever prevail in our community.