Westville High School - Janus Yearbook (Westville, IL)

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LEONARD F. W. STUEBE COMPANY, ARCHITECTS

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To our Principal and Class Advisor, Mr. Guy Russel Collins, whose interest and efforts have been inexhaustable, to him whose example of manhood it has been our privilege to observe, and whose friendship we have shared, this annual is respectfully dedicated.. In

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19 JANUS 22 ..............................................mum.. HISTORY OF W. T. H. S. There are few of the younger generation who can remember the time when V. T. H. S. was non-existent, and yet, but eleven short years ago such was the case. For the two years preceeding 1911, a one year cou.se had been given by Mr. Percy Zimmerman, then Principal of the grade schools Although this was not a high school it was the beginning of one and awakened in the people the realization of such a need. As the demand became more urgent, a high school was organized in 1911 in two rooms of the Central Grade School building, with Mr. Percy Zimmerman as principal, and Myrtle Castile Brittan as his assistant. There were but six students enrolled and, as was to be expected, a very limited course was given. In 1913-14, Mr. J. E. Lunge became principal and thru his efforts the school took its position as accredited in 1915. As time went on and more students entered VV. H. S. the old building became inadequate. A few far-sighted people realized the conditions and set about to have funds raised for a new township high school building. Elections after elections were held but opposition had grown with the years and it was not until 1916 that the people of Westville awoke to a full realization of their need and the funds necessary for a new building were raised. The Ellsworth site was selected and in the fall of 1916, work was begun on the building which is now Westville’s pride. In the fall of 1917 the new edifice was near enough completion to allow school to be started in it. At this time, the grade schools were crowded and in return the high school board of education allowed the seventh and eighth grades to enter the new building as a Junion High School. As such they remained until 1921. Three courses were offered—General, Business and Home Economics. Mr. D. A. Magrudcr became the first principal of the new high school and remained in that position until 1921 when his place was ably filled by Mr. G. R. Collins who had been the athletic coach under Mr. Magruder. Many are the changes which have taken place since the first high school was organized. The enrollment has grown from six to ninety-five and the institution is certainly the greatest interest of the young people in the community, as well as the pride of the older citizens. Naomi Buskirk, ‘22. wmmmmmm lilUIIIIMIIIIIIliilillHHHIUimiHIHIIIUIIIIIIII illlllllllllllllllllllllll