Stivers High School - Annual Yearbook (Dayton, OH)

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St ivers Past and Present TIVERS has so short a history that her present students can remember when she was organized in the Ruskin building, as East High School. Until 1906 Steele was the only high school in Dayton, but the building had become overcrowded and Superintendent Carr and the Board of Education decided that the time was ripe for founding a new school. The result of their plans was that on the morning of September 4, 1906, two hundred and fifty-seven Freshmen and Sophomores reluctantly turned their steps toward the Ruskin School on Henry Street instead of toward Steele, which had been the object of their hopes. The building was still to house the elementary schools of the district, so only the second floor was devoted to the uses of the then obscure high school. The Principal, Mr. Buck, and his corps of eight teachers realized that it was their duty to make some compensation to the pupils for their loss in not attending a well-equipped school like Steele, so they tried to create a friendly, happy spirit, such as exists best when people are in relatively small groups. Such a feeling was soon aroused and fostered, not only by the pleasant activities of each day, but by a glowing vision of the future. Often, Mr. Carr and members of the Board paid visits to tell of dreams they had had, and one happy day the Superintendent brought a great picture of the High School of his dreams During the first year in the Ruskin building four literary societies were organized and various clubs came into being, fostered by the spirit of intimacy which had sprung up. These were the Photography Club, the Mathematics Club, and the Fox and Hound Club. Only two years and a half were spent at Buskin, for soon Mr. Carr’s dreams began to come true. The site on East Fifth Street, where the old Lincoln School was standing, was chosen for the new building. On January 3, 1908, ground was broken. Each teacher shouldered a pick and had at least a nominal share in starting the great work. In one year’s time the west wing of the dream building was completed and more than three hundred and fifty pupils and their teachers moved in. At this transfer of residence “Old East High” changed her name to “Stivers Manual High School.” This name was chosen to do honor to Captain Stivers, one of Dayton’s foremost educators and most beloved citizens.

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ST1 KHS HIGH SCHOOL

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The greatest advantage in moving to the new building was that to the benefits of a full academic course were added those of splendidly equipped manual training and household economic departments and of laboratories thoroughly up to date. The first commencement occurred in June, 1909, and was held at the Soldiers' Home. Thirty-nine pupils graduated and formed the nucleus of an ardent and loyal alumni. Mr. Buck resigned at this time and Mr. Meek, our present efficient principal, was chosen as his successor. In 1912 the old Lincoln building was torn down and more dreams began to be realized, but not until September, 1914, did the building stand in the full glory of completion. The building and equipment are the best that money could buy, and brains create, which means boundless opportunity. It has been stated on competent authority that the manual training equipment is the most complete in Ohio, and all the other departments are fitted upon a like scale. The activities of the school have increased and multiplied in their natural course. There are now five literary societies, a German Club, an Art Club, a Dramatic Club, a Technical Society, an Orchestra, Glee Club and large Improvement and Athletic Associations, comprising nearly the whole school of over eleven hundred in their memberships. Besides the regular Stivers membership, four interesting schools are now housed within her walls—the vocational, the make time, the continuation, and the co-operative schools, all of which represent the most modern tendencies of education. From the first Stivers has had athletic teams in common with all high schools, but since 1914 the gymnasium has furnished facilities for inter-class and inter-studv room games which extend the benefits of athletic training very materially and put this department of school life on a sounder basis. One of the interesting phases of life at Stivers-is the socializing plan, whereby all school activities take place in the building under the direction of principal and teachers. Another indication of progress is the recent adoption of a system of partial self-government, the aim of which is to create in the students such stability of character and loyally to the best interests of Stivers that they may be trusted to conduct themselves with propriety in every situation whether or not a teacher is present. As far as material things are concerned, the dreams of Stivers are fully realized, but she has a vision for the future, a vision too fine ever to be accomplished, but which if kept in sight, will lead her year by year to increased efficiency and increased service.