Newspapers / The News-Herald (Ahoskie, N.C.) / July 2, 1993, edition 1 / Page 6
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The News-Herald, Friday, July 2,1993 Ahoskie High School began in 1909 but not first school Old Ahoskie High School This building on Academy Street housed Ahoskie High School students from 1930 to 1972 and later became the town’s middle school until these students were transferred to Murfreesboro as part of a countywide reorgani zation of schools. Ahoskie High School, estab lished in 1909, was by no means the first school in the town. Records show that the first school was a one-room log cabin built in the late 1700’s on the site of the present First Presbyterian Church at Church Street and Catherine Creek Road. Before 1825, the state of North Carolina took very little interest in the field of education, which was limited mostly to the children of the well-to-do. Most of the schools were operated in private homes. Raised standards After the Civil War, many small schools sprang up in the Ahoskie vicinity. Because of poor roads, large schools were impossible, and a great number of one-teacher schools developed. During the late 1800’s, in an ef fort to raise, the standard of educa tion, the Farmers’ Alliance in Ahoskie built a larger school, which took care of most of the area children, behind the present Presby terian church. The Rev. Thomas Wright Hayes was the schoolmas ter. In opposition to the larger school. Dr. Jesse H. Mitchell built a school in his yard, which several students attended. In 1905 the General Assembly incorporated School District No.5 in Ahoskie, to be known as the Ahoskie Graded School DisU’ict. Built $7,000 structure In 1907 the people of the Ahoskie district voted in favor of a special school tax at the rate of 50 cents on $100 valuation of personal properly to finance a new school building. After much debate the $7,000 building was placed on the Dr. Jesse Mitchell properly on the site of what is now the old Ahoskie High School. The new brick structure, com pleted in February, 1910, was the scene of commencement exercises in the spring of that year. The principal for the first term was B.O. Shannon, who was fol lowed by A.L. Thom and then John C. Scarborough. The first term was 28 weeks with. a high school enrollment of 23 — 10 boys and 13 girls. The high school offered a three-year course of study under two teachers. Miss Josie While and Miss Virginia White. Completed auditorium Many improvements were made, in Ahoskie High School between 1915 and 1925. In February, 1917,, an auditorium was completed. For the 1918-19 school year, the course of study was lengthened to four years, and the number of teachers rose to seven. At commencement in 1919, James Sessoms became the first boy to graduate from the senior class. In 1921, the school was ac credited. By this lime enrollment, had increased greatly, and the need for a larger school was a main topic (See AHS, Page 20A) First 4-H club in U.S. started in Ahoskie When Ahoskie was only a teen ager, in 1909, farmers in Hertford County organized a "corn club," which later became the largest youth organization in the world — the 4-H club. Four white H's, representing head, heart, hands and health, on a green four-leaf clover became the symbol of 4-H. Hertford County was named the "birthplace of 4-H," and the county 4-H'ers have worked hard to uphold the meaning of their clover. Club replaced In keeping with their motto, "To Make the Best Belter," the school clubs, to which most AHS students belonged at one time, were replaced by community clubs several years eluding demonstration contests. Each club member is able to excel in his or her favorite activity Teens win recognition Among the Ahoskie High School students who have won state or na tional recognition for their work in 4-H are H.C. Francis and Britt Ward in 1966, Libby Jones and Dianne Jones in 1967, David Brown in 1968 and Rae Brown in 1969. ago. These smaller clubs, the newest landmark in 4-H, have a greater ad vantage over the former clubs in that each person receives more indi vidual attention. Each of the 13 clubs in Hertford County is directed by two adult leaders and supervised by E.W. "Bill" Rogister, assistant agricul tural agent, and Miss Effie Lee Aman, assistant home economics agent. Under their direction, the lo cal clubs have made much progress. Because of its many varied pro jects, 4-H is suited to all youths be tween the ages of 9 and 19. It in volves a host of other activities, in- Hertford County farmers organized a 'corn club' in 1909 as a forerunner of the first 4-H club. Too numerous to mention indi vidually are the 4-H'ers who have won awards on the county and dis trict levels. These club members have just begun to climb the ladder of success. In summarizing the purposes of 4-H, one member remarked, "Four- H work is entirely voluntary; it's very foundation is democracy." Editor's note: Dianne Jones, a student at Ahoskie High School, wrote this article that appeared in the May, 1969, issue o/The Pow Wow, the student newspaper. 4-H CLUB iFirst in North Carolin®i,| lized at Ahoskie In I Clib. .... ., as the Corn IBeginning of present I I large organization of I Irural youth in state. Historic marker A historic marker stands on Academy Street, just north of Main Street in front of the former Ahoskie High School, to recognize the first 4-H club in the nation. Congratulations, Ahoskie on your 100 Birthday. Fashion Shoe Center "Where fine shoes are sold in Ahoskie since 1935" Main St. AHOSKIE 332-2282 WATCH for NEW brands of Sneakers coming in August and September! In Honor of Ahoskie's 100^'^Birthday We 're Having A Centennial Sale-A-Bi^ation 1 h YES WE ABE OPEN ylpiday, Saturday 8l Monday!!! The Autos You're Looking For... Selection ofjlllW & Q^^^ucks In The Roanoke-Chowait Open Monday!!! July 4th!!! CENTRALS Ford-Lincoln-Mercury Memorial Drive Ahoskie 332-2133 NCDL«120S0 ■ gF X,- -*r .
The News-Herald (Ahoskie, N.C.)
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July 2, 1993, edition 1
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