|
The
first school in Holliday was conducted in a building on
the corner where Clarence Johnson now lives. This was in
1851 before the town was laid out. The first teacher was
Mr. Jason Lewis. In 1883 a schoolhouse was built on the
lot east of the former J.A. Hemmings property, now owned
by Robert Farrell. A second two-room building was put on
this same lot in 1895.
Public
School - Holliday
In
1905, on land donated by J.M. Blades, a large two-story
frame school building was constructed where the present
schoolhouse stands. The first high school was a two-year
course. The first graduating class was in 1909. Class
members were Virginia Carter, Ruth Blades, Edith Moore,
Carl Howell, Roy Farrell, Lloyd Ellington. E.T. Fuller
and Claude Stephens were teachers. In 1918 the high
school offered a three-year course, and by 1920 had
become a four-year accredited school.
This
building burned in 1927, and was replaced by the present
brick structure in 1928.
Through
the years the school has produced many students who
became useful and prominent citizens. Many good teachers
have contributed to the education of the children of the
community, and many dedicated men and women have served
on the Board of Education.
Athletics
played an important part in the school and in the
community. There were many good basketball teams, both
boys and girls. Trophies won in these years are on
display at the schoolhouse in a case at the entrance of
the building. The first girls basketball team was formed
in 1911. The team members were Eva Akers, Bertha
McCreery, Marie Dixon, Della Hill and Eva Dye.
In
1944 the district found itself unable to continue to
operate the high school. Since that time high school
students have been transported by bus to Paris, with the
Holliday district payiiig their tuition. Following the
closing of the high school, the elementary school
operated as a one-room, one-teacher school. In 1957 the
rural districts of Callis, Evans, Mt. Pleasant, Turner,
Mason, Ransdell, Cross Hollow, and Union voted to form a
consolidation with the Holliday district, with the
elementary students being transported into the Holliday
School by bus. This system remains in effect today.
Teachers
with long years of teaching service within the Holliday
School system are Miss Ann Lee Woods, 18 years; Miss
Bertha McCreery, 15 years; J.D. Harrell, 15 years; and
Mrs. Mildred Howe, 23 years.
The
greatest enrollment in the elementary school since
consolidation has been 137. 85 students are enrolled at
the present time. Teachers are Mrs. Anna Kinder,
principal, Mrs. Margaret Sterrett, Mrs. Margaret Smith,
Mrs. Janet Huffman, Miss Linda Sham, and Mr. Steve
Harrison. Board of Education members are Charles Ensor,
president, Fred Blades, Ray Coffman, Marvin Houston,
Justus Olney,and Johnny Ragsdale. Benton Dickerson has
served as school secretary and treasurer for 31 years.
A
Parent-Teachers’ Association which was affiliated with
the National PTA was formed in 1941. Mrs. Virginia
Heitmeyer was the first president. This remained active
until the high school closed in 1944. In 1945 a Mothers
Club was formed in connection with the elementary
school. This later came to be called the PTA, although
there is no national affiliation. This organization has
contributed greatly to the support of the school, from
canning fruits and vegetables for the lunchroom to
sponsoring money-making activities, such as square
dances and pie suppers.
|
