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Page 6 text:
“
OUR FIFTY YEARS Today, we as seniors are proud of our school, but how often do we think back through the years of all the planning and work that went into making it what it is today. The real beginning of our school was a small two-room building on the East side of First Street near the present site of the Primitive Baptist Church. At that time the school was known as Smithfield Collegiate Institute. It was here, in 1886, that Prof. Ira T. Turlington, who became Superintendent of Johnston County Schools in 1884, united with Prof. J. L. Davis and began to write the early chapters in the history of Smithfield School. In 1891 Prof. Turlington founded Turlington Institute and erected what was then termed a large commodious wooden building consisting of four classrooms and an auditorium. Here began 20 years of concentrated effort on the part of Prof. Turlington and his wife, Hortense Rose Turlington, whose abHities in her field of English and related subjects distinguished her as a great pioneer spirit in the field of education. Twelve years later, in 1903, the onrushing 20th century wrought the first change. The Smithfield School District Committee, E. W. Pou, T. R. Hood and James W. Wellons, purchased Turlington Insti- tute and began preparations for a graded school. Prof. R. A. Merritt served as Superintendent of Tur- lington Graded School from 1903 until 1906. In 1906 Mr. Turlington resigned as County Superintend- ent of Schools and resumed charge of the graded school. By the time he left in 191 1 enrollment had climbed to 237 and the physical plant had expanded to a seven-room building. In 1911 Adolph Vermont was elected Superintendent of Smithfield Graded School. Under Mr. Vermont ' s administration the 11th grade was added and in 1911 the first class completing this grade was graduated. There were seven members. Also m 191 1 a petition for bonds was granted in order to erect a modern brick building. Construction was begun in 1911 and completed in 1912. This building comprises part of the present high school structure. H. B. Marrow succeeded Mr. Vermont in 1917. During the four years of Mr. Marrow ' s superin- tendency the number of students increased so rapidly that a new building was necessary to afford them proper training. Bonds were issued in 1921. Mr. Marrow became County Superintendent in this same year and Thomas H. Franks was elected his successor. In 1922 the present elementary building was completed. It was also during this period that the county began to bring in, by busses, children from the rural districts. N. C. Shuford was elected Superintendent of Smithfield School in 1925. The school sur- rendered its special charter on July 1 , 1927 and became a part of the county system. Principal Nathan Womack took over in 1931 and served as administrator for two years.
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Page 7 text:
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OF PROGRESS The present principal, A. G. Glenn, came to lead the Smithfield School in 1933. Enrollment that year was 1255 with 31 teachers. Two decades have since passed— years filled with many additions to the curriculum — a period marked by building expansion to meet the needs of a growing Smithfield. In 1937 home economics was put into the curriculum, and for the first time a full-time public school music and glee club directo, as employed. A regular elementary librarian was secured in 1943, a year which saw the ninth month added by the state. The following year the 12th grade was instituted by the state. Physical education became a part of the school ' s program in 1947, and in 1951 a band director was added to the music department. The physical plant began to expand in 19 ' !8 with the addition of a central heating plant. In this same year a communications and public address system was installed, further adding to efficiency of operation. The completion of a new high school wing in 1949 gave us not only additional classrooms, ut also a modern cafeteria with a seating capacity of 300, a large library, a science laboratory, a com- mercial department and rest rooms. The most recent addition to the school plant is an eight-room annex to the elementary building completed this spring— the latest in primary school architecture. Present ' nr liment of Smithfield School is 1600 with a faculty of 54 members, including three piano teachers. Our school has grown through the years. As our community has expanded classrooms have been added to take care of increased enrollment. The faculty has been strengthened by the addition of se- lected personnel in new fields, to meet the ever broadening demands of an ever awakening public. But It is not for this journey with progress alone that we are most proud. Rather it is the realiza- tion that Smithfield School was founded on the fundamental truths of education. Scholarship and academic achievement, along with cultural pursuits, have been at all times foremost in the program of our community ' s school. Intellectual development has characterized the lives of the hundreds of seniors who have gone before us. Our graduates have become prominent in the fields of education, religion, law, medicine dentistry pharmacy, optometry, journalism, engineering, and the business, industrial, and farming world ' Standing high among them are Rhodes Scholars Col. Oscar Rand (1903) and Edgar Turlington (191 1 ). But of equal stature are those who, influenced by their training in Smithfield School and pointed along the path by competent leaders, have made it their responsibility to see that Smithfield School continues to be a guiding light in its community; that its program of leadership and scholarship hold true to the heritage of the past. For that we are proud and humbly grateful. May our class hold high their banner of achievement Page 3
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