Valley High School - Tiger Tales Yearbook (West Des Moines, IA)

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L I 9 0 5 ANNUAL YV,D.hL eight- W. A. CRUSIN BERRY Principal

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HERE is not one pupil left who used to be here, and hardly a teacher, but it 's the same dear old high school. And when we too shall all be gone, both teachers and pupils, there will be other teachers and other pupils as grave and as gay as we, and it will still be the same dear old high school. It is our high school, but ours in trust only-a precious legacy from those before us, a legacy that we are to enjoy and in turn transmit unstained to those who will come after us. If we honor it, it will honor us. In the name of all the devoted teachers who have taught and are yet to teach within its walls, in the name of all the true hearted boys and girls who have gone out and are yet to go out through its portals into the greater school, I ask for old West High the choicest blessings in the gift of the gods. Here 's to the years that are gone, And here 's to the years to come. SUPERINTENDENT RIDDELL. S C V C I1 I 9 0 5 ANNUAL W. D. M.

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WEST HIGH CHARACTERIZATION of West High School on one page will be little more than to name the elements that enter into its make-up. Our School. To old residents whose children have passed through the school, to new comers into our rapidly growing city, to graduates, and to the children in twenty grade buildings, looking to the high school as the goal of their educational ambition -it is Our High School. To the present students and teachers and patrons it is in a higher degree and with a more intense meaning than to any others, Our High School. We are responsible for its character, its tone, for everything that fits it to go forward into the years of its future destiny. We accept the responsibility and rejoice in our opportunity. Growth and Enrollment. From small beginnings in an upper room in Lincoln building it has grown to its present proportions in its present spacious and inviting quarters. During the current year 859 students have enrolled, l25 more tham enrolled the preceding year. At this rate of increase IO00 students will enroll in the year l905-6. The respective classes this year have approximately the following numbers: First year class, 3003 second year, 250, third year, I50g fourth year, 90. These decreasing numbers tell a sad story+a hundred or more students have been lost by the way as the class has passed from the first to the fourth year in the high school. Material Equipment. Our building-splendid in its appointments as a building-is our pride and joy. As to library and apparatus needed, we are hopeful that the opening in Sep- tember next will find us in possession of some much needed and long looked-for books for the library, and maps, charts, lantern slides and screens for the betterment of our class-room and laboratory facilities. Courses of Study. These give a wide range of choice, and with alternatives and electives offered, enable almost every student to find what he wants within a regular course leading to graduation from the high school. The Teaching Force. The strength of the school is in its teachers. This strength is much augmented by the boarcl's policy of continuing in the service those teachers who have proved their efficiency. We have terms of service such as the following: twelve years, thirteen years, fourteen years, seventeen years. The Student Body. We are justly proud of our students, and of the progress which many of them make. The development of those qualities which make for manhood and wom- anhood is rapid and marked and usually gratifying. Coming from the eighth grade with boy- ish and girlish characteristics dominant, they leave the twelfth grade young men and young women The Organization. Students in our musical, literary, and athletic organizations have not disappointed us. They have been loyal and helpful, and have reflected credit upon the school when representing it away from home. The Rank of the School. High rank is maintained with effort. Constant pressure is brought to bear to lower the standard and allow pupils to pass who are not willing or able to meet the scholarship requirements. But the rank must be maintained, for this is what makes a nine Q I 9 0 5 ANNUAL W. D. M.