West Side High School - Legenda Yearbook (Saginaw, MI)

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ceeded Charles D. Hine as superintendent. He remained three years and was succeeded by B. Thomas. During these early years the superintendents were much more closely connected with the high school than latterly. In ’77 a class day was instituted with a public program, and a class of eleven was graduated. On the reopening of school in September, ' 77, David Junor, assumed the principal- ship of the high school and Miss Mary L. Miner and Miss Isa¬ belle M. Ripsom, since deceased, were teachers. In ' 78 class day exercises were observed and five pupils graduated. In ' 79 the graduates received their diplomas at the hands of the late David H. Jerome who was then president of the board. Ten classes had now graduated. The Saginaw high school had long since passed through the period of its most severe trial. Its numbers pointed to the necessity of a new building. That some one may enlarge and complete in some subsequent school annual this brief history of the early years of the high school is the wish of F. Bruce Smith of the class of ' 71. “We cannot help rejoicing in the increasing prominence of the idea that every being whom the world contains has his true place, written in the very make of his nature and that to find that place and till it is success for him. To help him find that place and make him fit to fill it is the duty of his educators in all their various degrees.”— Philips Brooks. HISTORY OF THE SAGINAW HIGH SCHOOL FROM 1880 TO 1900. That “history repeats itself’ is, to be sure, a trite ex¬ pression but it seems to be especially applicable to the history of a high school. In 1880 we find Mr. Hempl installed as principal. This year is especially memorable for the first visit of the University of

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in geometry required plane geometry only. The course in latiu was sufficient for University preparatory work, but the course in modern languages was very limited. On Friday, June 24, 1870, the first class graduated from the high school. There were ten members, the Misses Georgia Green, Abbie Briggs, Alice Burnham, Lucy W. Fish, Rhoda Van Zile and Estela Gaylord and Messers. George C. Canfield, Edward L. Stone, Jesse Brockwav and William Carpenter. All but one, Miss Fish, are still living. Only one resides in Sagi¬ naw. William Carpenter has gained distinction as an attorney and all have realized the hopes of their friends on graduation day that theirs might be useful lives. In September, 1870, the high and grammar schools were divided and the high school occupied a small room on the third floor of the Union building. There was accommodation for only 28 pupils and there was no crowding. There was no material change in the course of study, if anything it was re- duced somewhat. The senior class numbered ten, but four fell by the way and on June 23, 1871, six received diplomas. For the succeeding year the course was materially reduced. Changes were made involving a reclassification and it was thought there would be no graduating class, but before the close of the year one pupil, Miss Ida K. West, was found to have completed all the studies required and she was granted a diploma. Mr. Ewing and Mr. Dewey left the school in June, ' 71. Prof. C. D. Hine, a graduate of Yale, became superintendent and taught several classes. I. W. Morley was engaged as prin¬ cipal of the high school and teacher of mathematics. Mr. Morley remained but one year. In ’73 the high school revived somewhat and in June a class of five girls was graduated. In September, ' 72, A. E. Curtis was engaged as principal of the high school. He remained as principal for five years and under his direction the school developed quite rapidly. In ' 74 a class of ten, six girls and four boys was graduated, in ’75 three boys composed the class and in ’70 a class of six girls was graduated. In September, ’75, C. A. Gower sue-

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Michigan examining committee, who reported very favorably on the work of the school, and its graduates have been ad¬ mitted to the University without examination ever since. This was the first year, too, when the old chapel at the Central school was considered inadequate for the graduating exercises and they were held in Teutonia Hall. From this time on principals and teachers followed each other in rapid succession but the school seems to have steadily increased in quality, efficiency, and numbers. From 1882 to 1884 Mr. Huntington was principal. Then Mr. Williams served one year, and was followed by Mr. Sherzer who remained until 1888. Mr. Wixom succeeded Mr. Sherzer but was obliged to leave before the year was finished on account of ill-health and Mr. Adams took his place. A history of the high school during these years would not be complete without a mention, at least, of that noble woman who, as teacher of mathematics, served the school so faith¬ fully and so long. Miss Isabel Ripsom was the personal friend of her pupils, and there are many men and women in Saginaw today who are better for having come under her influence, and who appreciate now, as they perhaps did not then, what a warm, loving heart the rough exterior covered. In 1887 a new high school building began to be talked about and when it was actually begun the next year how in¬ terested both citizens and pupils were. No banquet, open day, or simple rhetorical exercises were complete without a paper on that ideal theme, “The New High School Building.” In 1888 the first Junior banquet was given. It started in a very modest way. A teacher suggested to the Juniors that it would be nice to give the Seniors a little farewell party before they left thejiigh school. A banquet was decided upon and after many protestations that they never could respond to toasts, the responses were given and the banquet was declared by all to be a great success. The refreshments, to be sure, were very light and it was truly “a feast of reason and a flow of soul.” The teachers declared that the speeches could not be beaten by college Juniors. Since then the Junior banquet has