Wheelersburg High School - Reflector Yearbook (Wheelersburg, OH)

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l NIR. CiI1O. SMIIII Board of Edllifklliljll RTR. JOHN UU'lS MR. Cl. If, PAYNH MR. A, B. I'RI2S'I'ON MR. CARI. HIZRMS MR. WIISLIQY SHVIJX N Mx. Ilmym is Lmkmg thu plncc oi Mr. Cicu. Smimh. who has completed 18 H118 wl I-dilhflll service.

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E. O. MCCOWEN County Supcrintendcnf

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. ,zf.., ,' fiffiiffi - A s nigga ,V 51541 'N ., History of School The first annual that is issued by the Wheelersburg High School would not be complete unless some facts concerning the growth and development of the school were included. From its earliest settlement Wheelersburg has always been interested in education and the welfare of its children. The first school house was built in 1822 and John Young was the first teacher. Later, this gave way to another building which in a short time proved inadequate. ln l845 Jesse Y. Whitcomb was chosen teacher and being a New Englander by birth and an able educator by training, he soon had a sentiment for something better, and under his direction and leadership, a four- room brick building was erected in 1847. At that time, this building was one of the best in this section of the state and gave Wheelersbilrg an educa- tional standing which it has maintained to the present time under the super- vision and direction of the capable and efficient men that have always been at the head of the schools. Among these men was Aaron Grady, who will always be remembered by those who came under his direction and infiuence. As the population increased, and when the demand was sufficient, higher branches were added to the curriculum, and in course of time the school be- came a combined high and normal school, offering training to hundreds that went out to teach. In 1885 the first graduating class received diplomas and some were graduated each year thereafter. When the present able county superintendent, Mr. E. O. McCowen, took the superintendency in 1906, the school had been chartered by the State Department of Education to issue third grade diplomas, and the charter was raised to a second grade in l907. In September of that year, the curriculum was increased to include four years of high school work. Also, during the same year, another four-room building was added and in January, l9l0, the high school received a first grade charter under which it has operated ever since. ln l9l7 the present high school building was erected, giving Wheelersburg a modern, up-to-date, commodious school plant, second to none in this section of the state. But the needs of the community are increasing rapidly, and the old building erected in l847, having served a long and illustrious career, was declared unsuitable for school purposes in 1922, and it will give way to a new. modern, up-to-date. eight- room grade building, to be ready in l924, to help take care of the 700 pupils that are now enrolled. During the past three years, under the excellent administration of the present superintendent, Mr. A. B. Prior, and his capable assistants, the whole school has continued to improve and additions have been made to the curricu- lum and equipment, until, at the last inspection by the State Department of Education, the official report stated that the Wheelersburg school has assumed a place of leadership among the schools of southern Ohio. This is an honor of which we have a right to be proud, and so long as the school is served by a progressive board of education and capable teachers, as it has been in the past, then the Wheelersburg High School will continue to be a leader and not be content to follow. , -. ,--ff-,ln v