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HISTORY Of THE BROADWATtR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
"Stored away in memory's attic are the days we once found dear;
Tho the records of them vanished in some long-forgotten year,
Days of joy and days of sadness, days of sunshine, snow and rain,
But we'll search in dusky corners for those old school days again."Here we find a pile ef school-books with their facts and figures prest
'Twixt the brown, moth-eaten covers-may they have a peaceful rest!
There's a desk with carved initials of the lass across the aisle,
How our hearts beat high with rapture when she threw our way, a Smile."How we dallied over lessons or finished them with zeal,
Sauntering out to join our schoolmates with a gloom we did not feel,
Ah! we mingled books with romance, games with studies, joy with pain,
And now, in mem'ry's attic, we will dream of school again."--- MINA BRUNER.
Early in the year 1908, a small group of thoughtful men and women decided that a school was needed in the Broadwater community. Throe directors were elected: ANTHONY JOHNSON, PATRICK ROWLAN and ROBERT WALSH (of this group only one is still living, ANTHONY JOHNSON, who lives in Portland, Oregon). In due time a small white frame building was ereoted on the South-East corner of the present school grounds. It was later moved across the street and is now the property of Miss ANNA OLSON.
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There are no records of the school before the year l911 but old residents remember that Sunday School was held in this building for several months; Misses, ADA BAXTER, MARY RA?LAN and MARY DAUGHTERY were teachers hers before that time.
There were two school-houses and two teachers in 1911-1912. Miss MARY DAUGHERTY was teacher of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. Twenty pupils were enrolled, namely; LAVINIA ROBINSON, JORGE TERRY, MYRTLE TERRY, CLARA TERRY, HELEN BEERLINE, HERMAN BENNETT, ROY ROBINSON, OPAL STITES, SPENCER STITES, BOBBY LIMPUS, ELIZABETH MILLS, NINA REW, RACHEL WILSON, RUTH WILSON, EDITH WILSON. The teacher reported that there were 12 sq. yd. of blackboard and that a dictionary and several books and booklets were purchased.
Mrs. EVA R. GILBERT taught the 6th, 7th, and 9th grades in the small frame building one block South of the school grounds. It is now the residence of GUY DOLSON and family. Eleven pupils were enrolled; JOHN ROWLEN, ZETA WALSH, VIOLA HILLS, RAY ROBINSON, OLLIE BAKER, ROXANA WALSH, CLEAL BENNETT, VERNICE ROBINSON, FOREST BENNETT, LESTER BOMAN, and ARTHUR LEF. The teacher reported the school well supplied with matsrials, i.e., paper, pens, pencils, chalk, etc. This room had eight sq. yd. of blackboard but library books and maps were needed. There were seven thrifty trees on the school grounds. In 1912-1913 49 pupils were enrolled but the ninth grade stopped at Xmas. Miss DAUGHERTY remarked ''If there is to be a ninth grade next year, the sixth will have to go back to the other building."
There were only 50 pupils in 1913-3914 but several new fanilies moved into the community that year so three teechers were hired for 1914-1915. It was during this term of school that Hoover and Cooiidge attended our school, i.e., ALICE HOOVER and CHARLES COOIIDGE, 87 pupils were enrolled. Miss ELSIElsis O'NEAL taught in the building known as Hubbard Hall. This building was destroyed by fire a few years ago. The high school library was valued at$10. There was much talk about the new school building which was being erected by CARMINE and ENES. This was a two-story brick structure with full basement. During its construction, there were few Sundays when the proud citizens did not go to visit, criticize and admire it. Varied opinions were expressed: "What! Five rooms besides the basement? Broadwater will never have use for so much room. The big room in the basement is almost large enough for all the children in the district. A lot of foolishness, I'll aay!" or; "Broadwater is sure to grow steadily and in a few short years another building will be required. This is merely the begining."
The new building was dedicated June 24th, 1915. Pupils were required to pass the state examinations for high school. The residents felt they had accomplished something although there were only three teachers this year. The next year, four teachers were employed and in 1917-1918 there were four besides the principal, Miss CEILA ETCHISON. Here we find the first record of a 12th grade student. This waa ZETA WALSH, who completed the course satisfactorily. Miss ETCHISON was principal in 1918-1919 also with five assistant teachers. Three 'Flu' epidemics and a bad blizzard were recorded. ROXANA WALSH and EDNA DECKER began teaching country schools about the middle of the terms.
Miss HELEN WHITE was Principal in 1919-1920. There were 20 students in high school and so many in the grades that the second grade was taught in the Episcopal Church basement with Miss RUTH McCONNELLl as teacher. The high school library was valued at $100 and the teachers were proud to report 25 trees on the school grounds. Two girls, LULU WAGGY and MAE BUCKNER completed the high school course.
On Dec. 7th, 1922, the contract was let to CARR and OSBORNE for a new frame school buildiing, 30 by 60 ft. This building contianed two rooms and served the first four grades. There were six members on the school board for the first time; C. B. MERRITT, S. B. MURPHY, Mrs. W. L. BROWNING, G. S. McNURLIN, ROBERT WALSH and Mrs. FFRANES MOYNAHAN.
It was during Mr. CHARLES GLASNER's term as Superintendent that athletics were introduced into the school and good basketball teams for both boys end girls were organized by him. These teams developed into some of the best in tliis part of the state while Supt. C. G. RICHARSON was coaching them. Since that time, athletics have held a prominent place in our school. We have had many good teams. In l929 the school board decidod to hire a regular coach, giving Mr. LEON THOMPSON of Greencastle, Indiana, the position. The boy's Basketball team won high honors both years he was here. Mr. THOMPSON was followed by Mr. WEIR BETTERSHALL, who has continued the good work. Mr. BETTERSHALL has created enthusiasm in all branches of athletics. Miss EMMA MEYER, who is serving her second term here, is director of the girl athletics and through her influence, the girls havo become memters of the Women Athletics Association.
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The Broadwater Schools were first accredited in 1924, while Mr. C. 0. RICHARDSON was superintendent. The school later lost this standing but it regained it during the term of Superintendent E. C. JENKINS, who vvas with us four successful year.
In 1930, the schools were again so crowed that bonds were voted for a new building to be used as a high school. This hansome, one story, modem, brick building was completed in 1931 and contains besides the superintendent's office, five large rooms, assembly, Normal Training room, Commortial room, Science room, and History room. It is conveniently arranged and is adequately lighted. When the new building was completed, the partitions* of the two room frame building were removed; and the building was remodeled and enlarged. It is now 30 by 80 ft. and it is fitted up as a gymnasium.
Mr. VERNER W. ANDERSON is our popular Principal and is serving his second year here. He has charge of the music in the high school and has an excellent glee club.
Normal Training was added to the course in 1931 and has been the means of drawing many new students to our school. Miss MEYER has charge of this part of the course.
One man whom we had not yet mentioned, is our superintendent, Mr. KENNETH H. THOMPSON. It would take several pages to do him justice, but we have room here only to say that he is doing everything possible to make our schools outstanding in educational achievements. Under his leadership, much good will be accomplished.
Although there was merely a 'handful' of pupils to attend that first little school in 1908, there has been a steady increase in its size and scope, also in the number of students taking advantage of an opportunity for a thorough education. We have had 106 graduates who have completed the high school course. This year 82 students have been enrolled in the high school and 128 in the grades.
This history would not be complete without mention of the lower grades and their teechers.
Miss VERNA BRINLEY is teacher of the 7th and 8th grades. This is her fourth successful year here.
Miss VERA ROBERTS is teaching the 5th and 6th grades. Her pupils seem to be making some rapid progress as her pupils did last year.
Miss MARJORIE BRUNER is teacher of the 3rd and 4th grades. This is her first year here as teacher but she is making favorable progress. Miss BRUNER is the only member of the faculty who was graduated from the Broadwater Schools.
This is Miss ESTHER VICKERS third year as teacher of the 1st and 2nd grades. She thoroughly understands giving the child the right start toward an education and the other teachers are entirely competent to carry on the good work.
And last but not least we must include that group of men who have spent many thankless hours toiling over the affairs of the school and so, it has been, through the cooperation, progressiveness and farsightedness of the school board composed of: A. W. WILKINSON, Pres., OSCAR LINDQUIST, Sec., J. R. MINSHALLl, Treas., V. 0. BRUNER, CLYDE C(?????) and B. L. VAN DRUFF that the Broadwater schools have attained the position that they now have.
May our schools continue to grow and prosper! May teaching the right ideas and ideals ever be their goal! --- Mrs. MINA BRUNER
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