South Whitley High School - Reflector Yearbook (South Whitley, IN)

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' ' History of the South Whitley High School ' i In considerinK the History of the South Wliitlfv High School it is woll to go back to the irit ' huricc that made a demand for a school doing advanced work. The leadingpeople of South Whitley have always taken a keen interest in educational at ' t ' aifs ami iii pioinotin r school interest. I ' erhaps the early school histoi does not differ- much from that of other pioneer schools, until the year- 18(it)i when a br-ick school house was ei-ected, that was a credit to a counti-y town. This Imilding is r)ow occupied by the Ato Plant. In this birilding the old Springfield Academy held its sessions, and students wer-e attra(-ted to this school fr ' orrr all parts of Whitley ( oiiiity, as well -is sui-rounding coun- ties. Later-, irr this buildirrg, Mr-. (1. M. Nabor-, a graduate of the Indiana State Normal, gr-aded the South Whitley school and laid the foundation for the present High School. Durirrg his superintendence the present school building was er-ected in i 1887 ), and in the same year- a three-year High School course was established. Mr. Nabor deserves much cr-edit for the efficient work he did in the South Whitlev School. He w;is su(-cee(led in 1888 ' by L. W. I ' lu-e, a gi-;uluate of the . da College of Ohio. Mr. Price was a strong school man, and the school pr ' osper-ed in his hands. At this time the town was incor- porated and the school was directed by tiie Township Trustee. Dr-. Merr-iman was Trustee at this time and was alive to educational intere.sts, but for lack of funds was unable to give a long school term. Each year a select school was held to complete the year ' s work. Much cr-edit is due the people, who uncomplainingly supported these schools. It shows the educational interest that has always bee.i char ' acter ' istic of the South Whitley people. In the spring of il890i Mr. Price resigned and was succeeded by J. D. Merriman, who finished the year ' s work in a ten weeks ' select school. ' hen Mr. Price left the Senior class numbered about fifteen. Only two of these remained to complete the course. They were Nettie Baker and Sadie Vau.x, who have the honor of being the fir-st gr-aduates of the South Whitley High School. They gr-aduated June 19, 1890. Thomas Mar-shall, our pr ' esent Governor, delivered the class address. Mr. Merriman re- mained the following year, and in i 1891 i a class of nine irr-aduated.

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;E|?: - Wtl. MR. WELLS, SUPT. MISS HOPKINS. Prin. MR. TANNER MISS FOOR.

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Mr. M. L. Galbreath was Dr. Merrinian ' s successor in the office of Trustee and took a great interest in the South Whitley Schools. He secured Mr. Tapy for Super- intendent, and he proved to be the right man for the place. The school grew in interest and in numbers. Financial conditions improved and Mr. Galbreath became able to give a seven months ' school. This was followed by a six weeks ' select school. In ( 1895) the town was incorporated, and the schools passed from the direction of the township trustee to that of a board composed of three members. The board was able to give an eight months ' school, and later eight and a half months. The school numbered eighty some, and was given a four years ' course of study. In 1897 the High School was commissioned from the Indiana State University, thereby enabling its graduates to enter this and other colleges of equal rank, without e.x- amination. Eight classes graduated during Mr. Tapy ' s superintend- ency. In 1892 a class of two; in 189.3 the class numbered six; 1894, seven; 1895, ten; 1896, six; 1897, sixteen; 1898, six; 1899, six. 0. H. Bowman succeeded Mr. Tapy, and in 1900 a class of ten graduated. In 1901, a class of six; 1902, fourteen; 1903, nine. The enrollment of the High School at this time exceeded ninety. In the fall of 1903, Mr. Colbi-ed took charge of the school. The school began with ninety-six in attendance, more than a third of these dropped out, and since that time the school has numbered about the same as at the Present time. In 1904 a class of ten graduated. In 1905, seven; in 1906, ten; 1907, ten. Mr. Strain, a graduate of Marietta College, succeeded Mr. Colbred. In 1908 a class of nine graduated; in 1909, twelve; 1910, ten. In the fall of 1910, our present superintendent, Mr. W. W. Wells, a graduate of the State Normal, took charge of the school, and in 1911 the graduating class numbered seven. The largest class that graduated from the South Whitley High School was the class of 1897, that numbered sixteen. Comparing the numbers who have graduated during these years, it is significant to note, that although the school is not so large, the number who finish the course remains about the same. In 1896, 1898 and 1899 but six graduated. The lowest number, who have graduated since the school was reduced in size, is seven in 1905 and in 1911. While ten and twelve graduated in the other years. This shows the interest is rather increasing than otherwise. It speaks for our superintendents. The present members of the High School are fortunate in- deed. We belong to a school that can be proud of its records, a school that has steadily advanced until it ranks favorably with schools in larger places. Since we entered the High School, the high standard has been maintained, and we can speak with justifiable