Randolph High School - Vergisz Mein Nicht Yearbook (Randolph, OH)

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HOOL NDOLPH HIGH SC RA

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VERGISZ-MEIN-NICHT advertising committees have given unanimous reports of liberal re- sponse and courteous treatment, and we hope that all who have aided us in this way may them- selves realize material benefit therefrom. We believe that our advertisers are all reliable people, and we heartily invite the readers of Vergisz - Mein - Nicht, before shopping, to consider the offers presented in our advertising col- umns. ll' I nl' HISTORY OF RANDOLPH HIGH 1 SCHOOL In Two Parts BY CLARENCE BOYER, CLASS OF '17 PART I The year 1881 is an important one in history. It was the year in which Tuskegee Institute, the fa- mous colored school, was founded by B. T. Washington. This year will also be remembered as being the time at which occurred the assassination of our esteemed President, Jas. A. Garfield. How- ever, it would be entirely incorrect for anyone to suppose that 1881 owes all its importance to the two above mentioned events. If anyone should be entertaining such a be- lief, it will no doubt be quickly dis- pelled when you are informed that Randolph High School started in 1881 at Union, Ohio. However, we know that Rome was not built in a day, and so we are not surprised to find that the High School in its early days bore little resemblance to its progeny ' s of today. Its beginning was hum- ble, to be sure, but its teachers and students have always been of the highest class, and as we trace the history of the school through its various stages, we shall see how, during years of patient effort, the work slowly grew until our first grade R. H. S. of the present time has been realized. The history of the High School may be divided into two distinct periods, which I shall designate as the former and the latter.'T The former period extends through the years 1881 to 1886. During the first year, 1881-82, the High School, then located at Union, was under the supervision of Mr. J. L. Heise, of Circleville, Ohio. The next year the school was moved to Engle- wood, Ohio, Where it remained during the school years of 1882-84. During the first year at Englewood, Mr. B. F. Hershey, and during the s-econd year, Mr. S. A. Minnich, both of Dayton, were the instruct- ors. For the school year of 1884-85 the school was again moved, and this time to Salem, Ohio, with H. S. Fox, of Brookville, Ohio, as in- structor. Then the school still under the supervision of Mr. Fox was again transferred to Union the following year. After this, owing largely to disagreement as to lo- cation, the school was discontinued. Such were the vicissitudes through which R. H. S. passed dur- ing the former periods of its ex- istence. No doubt many would ex- pect that under such circumstances it would be hardly possible for a school to be a success. However, uit-i111

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VERGISZ-MEIN-NIGHT ' the old adage, that a rolling stone gathers no moss, is not true in this caseg for if ever the High School had a Golden Age, it must have been during this period. The cause for success of the school at that time is well expressed by Judge Martin, who has said, High School in those days was in no way compulsory, but was attended only by those who had a burning desire to gain knowledge. However, this burning desire was not gratified so easily, for, as the early students trod the fiow'ry path of knowl- edge, they were confronted by many obstacles which are unknown to the students of today. The High School of the former period was not graded. Those wishing to attend, appeared the Hrst day to have the searchlight of an examination turned upon them to determine their eligibility. lf the student passed the examination successfully he was permitted to choose from the subjects offered as many as he could properly handle. Of course, he was then expected to burn midnight oil, and he had the privilege of attending school till he was either satisfied with his educa- tion or had taken all the branches given by the institution. Since the High School was not graded, a stu- dent may have attended five years, yet he was no nearer graduation than he was the first year, for he received no diploma or certificate for his work. Yet, as Mr. G. W. Brumbaugh expresses it, he did have the satisfaction of knowing that he really learned something. The school terms covered a period of only six months. The faculty consisted of only one per- son, and tho all the teachers were considerate, they were also, with- out exception, quite firm and al- ways demanded the goods. As to the pupils of this time, it may be said that they were specimens of that rare type who are not afraid of work. They had a purpose in life and they went to school in or- der to better prepare themselves to carry out that purpose. Very credible and commendable work was accomplished by the school during this period in differ- ent directions, but one phase some- what neglected was the literary field. Nevertheless some steps were even taken in this direction, and among literary undertakings may be mentioned the reading con- tests. These were conducted by Prof. S. A. Minnich and consisted of having each pupil read a selec- tion from some very dramatic piece of literature, then the school voted for the one whom they thought had read the best. Before leaving the literary ques- tion we may mention that in the first year of the High School, Mr. J. L. Heise gave a literary enter- tainment at Union. It seems that one of the boys, whom we shall designate as Johnny, had learned for the occasion the poem, Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight. How- ever, thru excitement or from some other unknown reason, when he appeared before the audience, his mind became a blank, and try as he would, he could not catch the miss- ing words. Poor Johnny took his -'Gig