Returning again to the above, there are instances when new information/research surfaces and with this information, the photo of the interior of the Union School was extracted from the files of the historian. Donna J. Robb. She is most fortunate to have found this interior photo without students, as these photos are not common. You will note in the photo the prominent display the American flag (48 stars) which indicates since Arizona was the 48th state to be admitted in 1912 this photo was taken after that time frame. There are no less than nine flags shown in this photo and you will note the “bunting” draped around the top of the room. This may be an indication that the room was decorated for perhaps Memorial Day, Veterans Day or even July 4th celebrations. We will leave that to your discretion.
The historian is fortunate to have in her files the annual catalogue of 1922-1923 for the McDonough Union School. This article will relate the historical information from this catalogue as an effort to acquaint the readers of the assorted persons, academic courses, members of the class, etc.
For the academic year above the Board of Education consisted of Robert Emerson - President, Grant Fairchild - Treasurer, Claude Purdy, Julius Meeker, and Herman Barrows - members, Mrs. Claude Purdy - Clerk and John S. Childs, District Superintendent.
The faculty consisted of Paul J. Slate - Principal (teaching Mathematic, History, and Latin) - Laura M. Tubbs (teaching English, French, Biology, 7 & 8 grades), Lena S. Harrington (teaching grades 4-5 and 6), and Teressa M. Skillman (teaching grades 1 -2- and 3).
The rates of tuition were as follows; Primary department - $16 per year. Intermediate Department - $18 per year. Grammar Department -$20 per year and additionally written The Academic Department-tuition is paid by the State if the pupils hold a Regents Preliminary Certificate, or its equivalent. The school began on Tuesday - September 5,1922 and Regents Exams were held June 18-22,1923.
The Academy Court of Study was printed as follows with the number of Regent counts after completion that each student was entitled to.
First Year - English 1 (4) - Latin 1 (5) - or French 1 (5) - Biology (5) - Algebra (5) total 19 credits.
Second Year - English 2 (4) - Latin 2 (5) - or French 2 (5) - Geometry (5) - History A or B (5) total 19 credits.
Third Year - English 3 (4) - Latin 3 (5) - History B or A (5) - French 2 if not taken 21”1 year (5) - total 19 credits - This would total if all were taken and passed of 57 credits. Additionally the law required Civics (2 % counts) be taken before the end of the second year. The class in penmanship was planned for1/2 of the year and would include all pupils of the high school and those of the seventh and eighth grades. Note: this is something that should be resurrected in today’s high-tech, high speed world.
Paying tribute to the graduating class of 1922 - Ilah Corinne Carrier was President and Salutatorian, Susan Belle Stoddard - Secretary and Valedictorian. The Class motto was: “THE ELEVATOR TO SUCCESS IS NOT RUNNING; TAKE THE STAIRS.” Class colors were green and gold and the class flower was: Buttercup.
The Baccalaureate Sermon was held Sunday evening, June 25, 1922 at the Baptist Church (this edifice was taken down some years ago and shipped to Texas.) The Commencement Exercises were held Thursday evening, June 29, 1922, 8:15 PM. in the Odd Fellows Hall.
Paying tribute to the students who were in attendance for this academic year, are listed totally as they appeared in the catalogue:
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT -Susan Stoddard - Myrtis Purdy - Helen Holdridge - Leon Burke - John Purdy - Henry Yeaw - Robert Meeker - llah Carrier - Minvel Bailey - Marion Shore - Gertrude Owens - Clark Fairchild and Clifford Fausnaugh.
EIGHTH GRADE - Alice Preston - Mildred Smith - Winston Nelson - Edna Margin and Florence Gale.
SEVENTH GRADE - Dorothy Barnes - Eva Parker - Goldie Brooks - James Smith - Dorris Barnes - Myrtie Nightengale - and Fay Shore.
SIXTH GRADE - Lucy Nightengale - Stuart Holdridge - Carl Shore - Louis Barrows - Ida Wood - Anzelma Kaliciciki - Arthur Smith - Howard Stiles - and Frederic Purdy.
