Sparta High School - Bulldog Yearbook (Sparta, IL)

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The Class of 1920 was the first class to attend Sparta Township High School four years. SEATED: Ora Candler Neal. Mabel Helen Adams Wilms, Phyllis Hood, Luella Juergens Behnken, Elizabeth McMaster Turney. STANDING: June Tripp Snider. John McGuire, Jessie Schunhoff Sanders. Margaret McMaster Reid. Wilfred Leemon, Anna May Davison Hayer. Christian Engelhardt D.C. . Esther Reinhardt Beattie, Elizabeth Weir Huss, Hubert Jay, Sara Gail Bruns Zell, Fern McGuire, June McGuire Simmons. On September 1, 1916, the doors were opened and 219 students marched to their classrooms in the new Sparta Township High School. The building erected on the site of the S. B. Hood home is still in use, known now as the Middle Building of Sparta High School. 8 Sparta High School's gymnasium, one of the best in Southern Illinois, was completed in 1963. The gym, for a while the center of a controversy because the plans for band and stage facilities had to be abandoned, has been the site of regional and sectional basketball tournaments.

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Anisi Roscoe Misselhorn. Renowned Sparta Artist Roscoe Misselhorn Sketches Midwest's Historical Past Decide early in life what you want to do and stick with it. Roscoe Misselhorn has followed this advice through- out his life and advises young people to do the same. Having lived in Sparta for many years, he went to Sparta High, 1916-1918, and later attended the St. Louis School of Fine Arts for two and a half years. Mr. Misselhorn decided to become an artist in third grade; and even though he confronted many obstacles while pursuing his dream, he nevertheless persevered and became an expen artist. With his unique style of pencil sketching, he has drawn many places of interest in Illinois and Missouri. The renowned Spana Anist has had several books of his prints published. Indeed, by using his talent and perfecting it through the years, he has made a monu- mental contribution to an. Underground Railway Station located in Eden.

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a © $5 C 31 33 2 I a SOXG BOOK. mmmmmmmmmr FRANK TORRENCE (1889-1952) Monuments are seldom erected to the memory of teachers. For Frank Torrence, none is needed because his impeccable reputation is monument enough. During the first seven years of classes at Sparta High, Mr. Torrence taught science. After the resignation of Professor E. O. Bottenfield, Mr. Torrence became principal, a position he held for 28 years. Never resigning as a teacher, he believed in an active teacher-student relationship which was pan of his success. Through hard work and discipline, Frank Torrence gained a respect he has never lost. Change Is Built in the Past Occurs in the Present With Hope for a New Tomorrow ANTONIO ROMANO Mr. Antonio Romano has been a principal seventeen years of the twenty-five years ne has been in education, three of which he has spent at Sparta High. Mr. Romano, influenced by two of his teachers to become a princi- pal, especially likes the chal- lenge nis position presents. Mr. Romano has the rare abil- ity to get everyone - students, teachers, and administration - working together. This, along with his foresight, leadership, patience, perseverance, and ability to accept criticism, has proven him to be an excellent principal whom Sparta High is fortunate to have on its side. f. PROFESSORS. B. HOOD (1834-1914) Most of Professor S. B. Hood’s edu- cational career was spent in or near Sparta. He attended the old Union Academy of Sparta, and taught as an assistant during his last year of attend- ance. When Civil War broke out, Pro- fessor Hood was teaching at Eden. In the war he served from 1861 to 1864. After his discharge Mr. Hood returned to Sparta and was appointed Superin- tendent of Sparta schools, an office he held for forty years. Well respected among his colleagues, he helped Sparta High gain a strong reputation in education.