Spencer High School - Spencerian Yearbook (Spencer, IN)

Page 10 text:

The Spencer High School. The fall of 1872 saw the beginning of a high school in Spencer, in the present old brick structure which was then in an unfinished condition. The high school was held on the second floor, now occupied by the gradesg the third story, barnlike and without partitions, was used only for com- mencement exercises. The first teachers in charge were Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Hunt. Mrs. Hunt was a woman of untiring zeal, and later, as super- intendent, inspired the students with the spirit of progress. It was she who began the work of planting trees around the building and, helped by the boys and girls, decorated the front yard with flower beds. Only one plant, a little japonica, struggling up beside the cement walk, remains as a memorial of her ceaseless eEorts to make the grounds attractive. Mr. Harwood later did much for the school. He was noted for his stern government and his efficient teaching. The school continued to grow, gaining each year in attendance, and sending out large graduating classes. Following Mr. Harwood were such efficient men as Robert J. Aley and Fred L. Pochin. In 1890 the old method of allowing students to choose between a scientific and a classical course was abandoned, and Latin became compulsory. The whole high school course was altered and made more systematic under Mr. A. L. Whitmer. The remainder of the third iioor was completed, thus giving more room. But only a few years S

Page 9 text:

mu. ..,........ . 1- fl ..muf-mu.: H ... .... ......, ...,............ ,...... ..., 0 the Faculty, our efficient and sympathetic friends, we the members of the staff, dedicate our book, The Spen- cerian. A

Page 11 text:

THE SPENCER HIGH SCHOOL--Continued. elapsed before the attendance had outgrown the accommodations, and, in 1908 under the superintendency of Mr. C. T. Gray, half-day sessions became necessary. This plan was followed for four years, the third floor being divided into four recitation rooms, and the students studying at home. As this was not acceptable to the State Board of Education, toward the close of 1912 Spencer lost its commission until some arrangement should be made for a common study-room. So again the old assembly room was called into existence. The requirements having been met, the commission was renewed in the fall of 1912. In the hands of Superintendent S. F. Stewart and his assistants, this bids fair to be one of the most successful terms in the history of the school. While there have been larger enrollments, we are safe in saying that a larger per cent have continued throughoutthe year than at any previous time. With the assembly room the interest in the school has increased greatly. The students have worked for its upbuilding, and have especially enjoyed the opening exercises and organizations. Spencer High School can now boast of an orchestra and a chorus which have regular meetings for practice once a week. Aside from the musical talent, the High School has developed interest in debating. Surely Spencer, with the co-operation of all, can reach the standard of the best schools of the state. At present the High School is handicapped to a great extent by its inconvenient location on the third floor, its lack of room, and its imperfect heating and lighting. The present assembly room, large enough to seat about ninety, is forced to accommodate one hundred and twenty. The reci- tation rooms, also, are inadequate in size, light and ventilation. The physical laboratory is too small for its equipment, and could be greatly improved by being moved nearer the remainder of the High School. In fact, we are in sore need of a new building which may have an up-to-date library, and a gymnasium for physical exercise and social gatherings. We fancy today that we can look into the future and see a splendid structure, with a spacious study hall, adequate recitation rooms, large, airy laboratories and an up-to-date library. No other town of the same size in the state has as large a high school attendance as Spencer. But we are still in the garret, seeking a way of escape. True, Spencer has in the past sent out from this garret her attic philosophers, but in this age of progress genius demands better housing. U