School To Open Here September First with Largest Attendance Ever Enrolled in History of Pike County
Faculty Of the Pike County High School
Six Excellent Instructors Already Employed. Four More Will Be Added by The Mid-term.
The Pike County High School is growing rapidly. It is now the largest high school in Eastern Kentucky outside of Ashland. Every instructor is a graduate of a standard college and teaches the subjects he or she specialized in. Not only are they instructor’s graduates of standard colleges, but they are successful instructors with several years’ experience. In fact, there are a few high schools in the state that have stronger faculties.
The Home of the Pikeville and Pike County High School
Principal T. W. Oliver.
Science and Education
Professor Oliver did his undergraduate work and also graduate work for a master’s degree in the school of Education University of Chicago. In 1914 he received his B. S. degree and then in 1915 an A.M. He spent a year, 1921–1922 Teachers College, Columbia University. The letter work included part in two school surveys conducted by Teachers College during the year. As to experience, he had served as superintendent of city schools for the past 13 years in Kentucky and (Illinois). Dr. J.F. Bobbitt of Chicago University has this to say of him: “Mr. Oliver is thoroughly familiar with the problems, and practice is of the practical administration. He is well equipped, both in training and experience for superintend of city schools”. Dr. O. D. Caldwell of Columbia University says: “I am glad to write in Mr. Oliver ‘s behalf, for he was one of the most effective students I had had in any classes. He has had good experience as a high school superintendent and has enjoyed the approval and the hardy co-operation of those with whom he has worked.”
Miss Catherine Hendricks
English
Miss Catherine Hendrix is a graduate of the western state, normal school, and also all the Kentucky University with an A.B. degree miss Hendrix has taught in Kentucky high schools or served as high school principal for the past nine years. Mr. Caleb Wright, secretary of the Beech Grove board says this of her: “I heartily recommend Miss Hendrix as a classroom teacher. I feel she is qualified to do any kind of high school work, and she understands the government of schools. Her character is off the highest type. I feel that any school would be lucky to secure her services.” Mr. Montague of Beech Grove says: “I have never been associated with a more competent teacher, a better organizer, or a more faithful and consensus worker.” members of the department of education advised that her services be secure. It is of interest to know that she has instructed 300 Kentucky teachers in English since May 1923-a little better than a year, only the best instructors are selected for this work. We are just proud of Miss Hendrix and her splendid work.
Miss Alpha Cochran
History
Miss Alpha Cochran is a graduate of Hamlin Academy, Hamlin, Texas, a well-known school in the South. She also graduated from Pasadena University, Pasadena, California, one of the leading institutions of learning in the United States. Holds two degrees from Pasadena University, A.B. and B.D. Has taught four and one-half years, one year in college and three and one-half in high school. Dean Hill says of her, “Miss Cochran graduated from this University with honor. Had unusual gifts as a speaker and writer. She proved herself to be a young woman of excellent scholarship and unusual gift of mind and heart. Her fine Christian character and up right moral conduct made her an example to others and real moral asset to the institution.” Miss Cochran is a scholar in every sense of the word, hard worker, one of the best in the State, and a rapid fine speaker. In short, she is a very valuable asset to the school. The Pike County High School is simply fortunate to secure her services.
Mr. William Milton McLeod
Latin and French
Professor William Milton McLeod is a graduate of Charleston High School, Charleston, South Carolina, one of the largest and best high schools in the south. He is also a graduate of Woodford College with the A.B. degree. Mr. McLeod came to the Pikeville and Pike County High School from the Kentucky Normal Training School at Louisa. Prior to his work here he taught in the high school at Paris, Tennessee. Having seven years of training in Latin and French under strong instructors, Mr. McLeod is eminently qualified for his duties. Dr. Pugh says of him: “Mr. McLeod is a young man of excellent character and habits, during his entire college course he was attentive and industrious; hence his grades were excellent in every department in which he studied.” Professor Byington’s classes him as an A-1 instructor. Principal Bayor of Paris says: “We found Mr. McLeod a very fine young man splendidly equipped from standpoint of scholarship to do our French. Professor McLeod has a few equals. His work is thorough and will stand the acid test.
Paul B. Donovan
Science and Mathematics
Professor Paul B. Donovan graduated from the Terra Haute High School, Terra Haute, Indiana, one of the largest and best organized high schools in the Midwest. He did his college work and one -half year of graduate work in Indiana State Normal and Tech College, Terra Haute, Indiana. Received an A.B. degree from this institution. He has taught or severed as principal for seven years, Professor Donavon came highly recommended by his instructors and those with whom he has been associated in schoolwork. As to his scholarship he holds the best record of the faculty. In fact, few hold better one. From the standpoint of skill in teaching and handling pupils, he is also one of the best, in short, he is an A-1 high school instructor.
Mr. Chester Clark
Mathematics and Athletics
Professor Clark received his high school training in the high school at Richmond. He was fortunate to have one of the best instructors in mathematics. As he was gifted for mathematics, the foundation was laid for the mastery of the subject. As a student in Kentucky Wesleyan College, he made a record in this subject, which one for him the position in this institution. Mr. Clark holds an A.B. degree for Wesleyan, professor, Charles, D. Lewis, Director of teacher training in Kentucky, had this to say of him: “I have received most excellent reports of him from his work in Kentucky Wesleyan College where he taught mathematics. Mr. Clark is a splendid young man, enthusiastic and especially strong in mathematics. He is a good basketball player and would have a fine influence with boys in high school.” Mr. Clark made an A1 record in the Pike County high school this past year as an instructor of mathematics and a director of athletics he knows his business and work at his job.
Mrs. Mabel Taylor Allen
Music
Mrs. Mabel Taylor Allen is a graduate of the New England school Conservatory of music, Boston, Massachusetts. She also studied extensively in school music, University of Michigan: Mary Wood College of Music, Chicago, and under masters in Italy. Miss Alan has taught music for a number of years in the Georgia college for women, one of the leading colleges. Mrs. Mabel, Alan is one of the best music teachers of the South.
Pikeville City Schools
The board of education has been fortunate in securing a very strong faculty for the grades. There was an ideal that each child should have a good teacher. Moreover, teachers have been employed with the ideal that each room must be a model room for the extensive teacher training carried on by the Pike County High School.
Eighth Grade
Mr. P. K. Damron
Mr. P. K. Damron will have charge of this work. He is well known by the people of Pikeville. Possibly he has done more to inspire boys and girls to do bigger things and life than any other teacher in this section of the state. He is an A-1 teacher, and every respect , the board is simply fortunate to secure his services.
Seventh Grade
Miss Elizabeth Webb
Miss Elizabeth Webb has had four years of high school work and two years of normal school. She has had seven years’ experience in Kentucky schools. One superintendent made these comments. “Miss Webb wants to sit not only by me but by the entire community as the best teacher in the schools, in fact, I don’t know a better upper grade teacher. she came to us for fifth grade work, but at the end of the first year, we raised her salary above that of any other grade teacher and promoted her to the eighth grade in order to retain her. She is a very strong discipline. Her room is a model, she knows how to handle children. She is talented in music and expressions and is an expert in putting on school plays and pageants”. Miss Webb is simply a wonderful teacher.
Sixth Grade
Mrs. J. F. Ruggles
Miss J. F. Ruggles has had extensive training for her work. She taught in Kentucky schools for 14 years, for a number of years she has served as six grade teachers in Barboursville City schools. Having served under strict supervision as a model teacher in the sixth grade for the teacher training work in Union College at Barboursville, she has this had very unusual experience. She knows the work from A to Z. It is doubtful whether there is a more confident six grade teacher in the state than she.
Fifth Grade
Miss W. Logan Peery
Miss W. Logan Perry will have charge of the fifth grade again this year. This is the third year that she has served as fifth grade teacher in the Pikeville city schools. She is a high school graduate and also a junior college graduate. Has a keen mind and a strong personality. Her work is all the best, in fact, the school is proud of her and the splendid work she is doing.
Fourth Grade
Mrs. J. R. Barbee
The board has secured the services of Mrs. J. R. Barbee of Catlettsburg for the fourth-grade work. Mrs. Barbee is a high school graduate and also a normal school graduate. She has taught in Kentucky city schools for eight years. She has one of the strongest teachers in the faculty. One super tenant says I most hardly recommend Miss Barbee. I made this comment. This young lady gives splendid satisfaction, wherever she teaches.
Third Grade
Miss Mary Williams
Miss Murray Williams will be in charge of third grade work. Miss Williams is a high school graduate and has two years of normal schoolwork. She comes highly recommended. In fact, she has considered one of the best grade teachers in the faculty. One principal says of her, “She is one of the best grade teachers I have ever been able to secure and thoroughly capable of accomplishing any test assigned her. Another principal said, she is an A-1 intermediate teacher”.
Second Grade
Mrs. W.T. Oliver
Mrs.W.T. Oliver has been assigned one of the second grades. She will have miss Richmond ‘s pupils. Miss Oliver received her education in the Biloxi high school, Belhaven College, and Chicago University. She specializes in primary education and has taught second or third grade work for 13 years. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Oliver was principal of a 14-teacher school in one of the leading schools in the south.
Second Grade
Mrs. Mary K. Ratliff
Mrs. Mary Ratliff has been assigned second grade. She will have pupils taught by Mrs. Ruggles last year. Mrs. Ratliff is a high school graduate and has done two years of normal school. She has had several years teaching experience. Mrs. Ratliff is conscientious and ambitious which are requirements for a good teacher.
First Grade
Miss Patty Richmond
Miss Patty, Richmond will have one of the first grades again. She is a high school graduate and also a normal school graduate. I spent two summers at Chicago University. Miss Richmond receives her training in primary methods largely from Dr. Fanny Dunn, one of the leading educators of the United States. She has taught primary work and Kentucky and Virginia city schools for the past 10 years. She is one of the best primary teachers the writers have ever seen in a school room.
Department of Expression
Miss Minerva Scott.
A new department has been added this year, that of expression. Miss Minerva, Scott will have charge of work in the grade and in high school. She is a graduate of Frankfort High School and also graduate of Breneau College, one of the best colleges in the south. Breneau College offers one of the strongest courses in expression. Possibly it is the only college that grants in this department. Miss Scott is one of our own girls who has prepared herself for a great work. She has the training, the ambition and culture and usefulness.
The Pike County News 1930
The above picture shows the present Pikeville High School building which replaces the one-teacher institution of 1913. this building was erected jointly by the County and City Board of Education and the school is organized as one go the best institution in the State.
Pikeville High School, Now One of Kentucky’s Best, Shows Rapid Progress Since Founding In 1913.
Institution which Started with One Teacher and A Handful of Students Now Given “AA” Rating by Association.
Growing from a one teacher department with a handful of students in 1912 when it was started, the Pikeville high school has grown until it is now recognized as one of the best to be found in the entire state of Kentucky. A brief survey of the best grade, prior to the time the high school department was started, is necessary to see the rapidity with which this school has advanced. Until 1890 the city was operated as a unit of the common system of Pike County, and was controlled by three trustees, as were all other school districts in the county during that time. In the year 1890 the school, my popper, vote, other people, became a gray school under the supervision of six trustees. Professor T.J. Kendrick was chosen first principal by the new board and was assisted by three teachers. Professor Kendrick continued as principal until 1903, when Professor T.M. Riddle succeeded him.
The entire classes were held in a four-room brick building, but the school board later constructed a large frame building for the lower grades. Professor Riddle left the school in 1909 and Mrs. R.C. Elliott was principal the following year and was sued by Professor WM Byington, who served as head of the school from 1910 to 1912.
Start High School
In January 1912, Professor Kendrick returned to the school and taught first high school subjects under the city board of education. The following year, while the late F.M. Campbell was county superintendent of schools, the county high school department was begun. In 1913 the county school board issued an order directing that rush desk and Deskins, a minister in Chicago, be paid the sum of $375 for teaching secondary subjects for three months.
This one-man crew was the beginning of the system which now employs s regular teachers who instruct 384 students. This number of boys and girls having enrolled this year for study but from 100 to 150 more will enroll the first of the year when the rules go through the county close it is said.
Under Professor Kendrick, the school department progressed with material, then at hand and then 1921 he was six sided by Professor Millikan Who served until 1923 Professor T.W. Oliver, present principal, took charge of the school professor.
Prof. Oliver adopted a new policy in building up the high school. During the school session, he spends his time in the supervision of the institution, including billings, and ground, and during the summer vacations tour, the county calling on parents and boys and girls of the high school age, encouraging them to further their education by enrolling in the high school here. This method has proven successful, because since its adaption, the school has grown from 57 students to be recognized as one of the leading secondary institutions in the state and is honored with the “AA” credit. And 1922 the high school department had four teachers while in 1929, 13 full-time and two part-time teachers were engaged. This year teachers have been employed with a probability of other teachers coming to the school at the first of the year when additional students are enrolled.
“AA Rating”
The rating has also been elevated. In 1921-1922 the school was accredited “B”. at the end 1922 it was raised to an “A” rating and in 1926–1927 it was admitted to the southern association of colleges and evaluated to rank.
The high school building, own, jointly by the county, and the city, is a two-story brick structure containing 20 rooms in addition to office rooms, and a library, which is now in charge of a full-time library. Music classes have also been started in the school and a full-time music. Instructor is employed as well as a coach who looks after athletic activities.
Extra circular activities include a glee club, girls, reserve organization, Hi-Y Club. French Club? Music Club and two literary societies, one for boys, and one for girls. Athletic events are participated, involving only students making high grades.
The school, thus far, has shown, tremendous growth, which, school, official say, yes, promise of continuing in the light proportions.
[The Pike County News October 9, 1930]
