Rensselaer High School - Chaos Yearbook (Rensselaer, IN)

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Alumni iiSjiatnnj The Alumni of -the Rensselaer High School now number four hundred eighteen, and their history covers a period of thirty years. The first class graduated in 1880 from the old school building ' which stood on the ground where the residence of Benjamin Harris now is. The course of study completed by them did not presume to prepare for college and was only a fait equi alent of the first two years of our present high school course. Notwithstanding this lack in preparation, six of the ten members of this first graduat- ing class passed satisfactory examinations and went to college: a precedent which the succeeding classes have very worthily followed. We have today no fewer than forty of our recent graduates attending the best univer- sities in this country. It was not until 1885 that the High School was commissioned. The course of study had been revised and extended; a new building had been erected and all was ready for the coming of the new superintendent who was destined to give to the High School its first good start. He was a dapper young man who usually dressed in a Prince Albert coat and silk plug hat. His countenance wore a smile even when in anger. He always carried a walking stick which served many useful purposes in his dealings with school children. Fifty-two graduates received their diplomas during his stay of six years. Ihe High School at this time occupied but two rooms in the building. The one, which is now the biological laboratory, contained the superintendent ' s office, the library, and all the laboratories. Here all the useful sciences were taught, from ten to twelve weeks being given to each subject. An old telescope, which now encumbers the superintendent’s office, tells of some doubtful work in astronomy. Some geysler tubes and an electric battery were the outfit for physics. An ugly spot on the ceiling marks the only attempt at experiment in

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rhnol The present High School Building was built in 1882. Until 1892, the building was used to accommodate both High School students and the grade pupils. The present Senior room and biological laboratory alone were used for the High School, the rest being for the grades. When the grades were removed to the new building, the Fifth and Eighth were left until 1904, when the Fifth was also established in the Grade Building. At present, the upstairs of the High School Building contains the Eighth Grade, Freshman and Sophomore rooms, and the chemical laboratory. Downstairs are Junior and Senior rooms, a Latin room, the biology laboratory and the principal’s office. Gkafo rltunl SmUitng This building was erected in 1892. It contains the first seven grades, the Superintendent’s office, manual- training room, a basement containing a drawing room, shower bath, and dressing rooms for the athletic teams. The building is well equipped, having hygienic drinking fountains, slate blackboards, and steam heat. With these modern improvements, the building is well equipped for some time to come.

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chemistry. The other room, the one now occupied by the Seniors, was assembly, session, and recitation room all combined. Public school entertainments reached their height at this time. The Dickens and Scott masquerade programs netted some five hundred dollars in the two years, and this was the foimdation of the splendid library which now adorns our city. In 1892 the new Grade Building was completed and the High School was given room for expansion, but not until 1901 did an event of unusual importance happen. For one thing, a class of twenty-five was graduated that year, by far the largest in the history of the school up to that time. The other thing was the introduction of organized athletics into the high school. It grew by leaps and bounds and became a dominating interest. During the fall months the school was crowded with husky lads, football aspirants. Non-resident students came in great numbers. The popularity of the High School was at its greatest. Everywhere Rensselaer was known for its success in athletics. The numerous trophies which now adorn the High School rooms tell also of conquests won in music, in oratory, and in successful field and track meets. The building was crowded to its capacity and the chemical laboratory was moved down town. Graduates increased in number until in 1907 there were thirty-eight. During the five years between 1905 and 1910, one hundred fifty-seven students, more than one-third of all the present Alumni, received their diplomas. During the past two years the High School enrollment has not been so large. This is due in part to the decrease in the number of township eighth grade graduates, but is mainly due to the rise of other good schools in our neighboring towns. Two things are needed to keep our school abreast of the times ; a high school auditorium and a gymnasium ; the one for the social and literary advancement of the school, the other to provide physical training. Football has run its course as a high school game and is giving way to other forms of athletics better fitted in their nature to the maturity of the average student. It is for this the gymnasium should be provided. Manual training and sewfing, both in the grades and in the High School, have become permanently established and in the years to come will receive more and more attention. Our school has every reason to be proud of its Alumni, and we want them to keep the same pride in the achievements of the High School. We are a member of the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges, which fact permits our graduates to enter any university in the middle West without examination. And it is a source of pride to us that the reports from all these colleges where our students have attended indicate that the preparation of our students has been adequate. To keep this bond of union among our graduates tlu Alumni Association w r as formed a good many years ago, and with the exception of a few years their annual ban-