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FSHS HistoryA TIMELINE OF FAIRMONT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL By Carol J. Amos Click here for: Original 1929 Dedication Program 1864 The first public, free school in Fairmont opens.1866 The board of education purchases the brick building at the corner of Adams and Madison Streets for a school. 1867 The legislature locates one of the State Normal schools in Fairmont. Thus begins Fairmont High School. 1872 The first high school, located in the Second Ward School Building on the corner of Adams and Quincy Streets, occupied jointly by the normal and public school, houses the graded schools on the first floor and the normal on the second and third. 1875 Normal department separates from the public schools. 1876 Professor Thomas C. Miller, for whom Miller Junior High is named, becomes the first principal of the graded public school system in Fairmont. 1877 The first class graduates from Fairmont High School in the Second Ward Building. 1880 Authorities establish graduating system. There were 227 graduates of record between 1881-1907. 1893 The Normal School moves to its new location on Fairmont Avenue leaving the Second Ward Building entirely to the high school. 1900 The graduating class, composed of nine girls and one boy, heralds an increased enrollment making it necessary to employ an additional teacher bringing total to four. A new high school facility was envisioned. 1905 Fairmont High School built at Fifth Street and Benoni Avenue, known as "The Point" for $80,000.00 1906 Fairmont High School students occupy the new building consisting of 12 classrooms, labs, offices and a library with the top floor used as a gymnasium. 1908 The Junior Class initiates the custom of having a school annual. With their class tree the maple, members call the yearbook Maple Leaves. 218 attend with a faculty of eight. Football team ties for Champions of High School League. 1914 Principal Perry C. McBee 1914-1921 Principal George Colebank 1914-1920 Frank Arnett Ice of Paw Paw District coaches athletic teams known as "Ice's Men". 1920 Students first publish Hi-Life, the student newspaper. 1921-1951 Principal W. E. Buckey 1922 Gym built at 5th Street. 1922 Mr. Ensel Hawkins, faculty, designs seal for Fairmont High School. 1923 Hawkins had seals made in blue and white and used them as merit stamps for work in his department. Principal Buckey decides it would be a good idea to adopt for the whole school, using it as a reward for exceptionally excellent written work. The seal in itself with its 'torch' in the center of 'F.H.S.' might well mean the light or the intellect of the school and, too, that F.H.S. is a light and service to our community." 1926 Polar Bear adopted as mascot. Originally sports teams were called "Ice's Men"; the new mascot honors Coach Frank Ice. 1928 Board erects building on Loop Park. 1929 Built at a cost of $491,313.00 the board dedicates Fairmont Senior High School on May 10, 1929. School at Benoni and Fifth then serves as Junior High. The class of 1929, the first to have its graduation exercises in the current building, presents the school with the statue of Abraham Lincoln. National Thespian Society originates in Fairmont WV by Dr. Paul Opp and Mr. Harry Leeper. Two of the three original chapters were East Fairmont High School Troupe #3 and Fairmont Senior High School designated as Troup #2. 1938 School districts unify as one in Marion County; bussing system implemented county-wide. 1946 William Leskovar receives Amateur Athlete of the Year recognition. 1951-1971 Principal E. W. Malcolm 1955 Dunbar High School closes as Marion County desegrates public schools. 1958 Larry Drake receives the Kennedy Award as the best football player in the state of West Virginia. 1962 Dave Tork sets world record in pole vault at 16 feet, 2 inches 1963 Freshman Building accommodates the addition of the ninth grade as the 5th Street Junior High (former high school) is permanently closed. 7th and 8th graders attend junior high in the Dunbar School. 1964 "Scratches," the school literary magazine, debuts at FSHS. 1968 Students write and produce an original 3 act musical for Thespian Troupe 2. 1969 The Polar Bear Buildings provide "temporary" classrooms for growing student population. 1970 Graduating class donates polar bear statues. 1971 Graduating class presents monument on front lawn. 1971-1976 Principal Howard J. Charleton 1976 FSHS celebrates it bicentennial. 1976-1989 Principal John D. Tennant 1979 February 27, 1979--Fire destroys roof and damages library and top floor. Graduation moves to Woody Williams Armory. 1981 New front steps enhance entrance to main building. 1985 School of Excellence honors FSHS. 1985 Rivesville High consolidates with FSHS. John D. Tennant, principal, adds a touch of red to school colors. 1987 FSHS launches "Project Graduation"; county-wide committee adopts and implements the safe celebration, which continues today. 1989 Beautification ReLeaf campaign plants more then 50 famous and historic trees. 1989-2003 Principal W. L. Furgason 1990 School of Excellence and Exemplary School received from the WV Education Alliance. 1991 Channel 1 televisions installed in every classroom. 1992 FSHS Foundation, Inc. establishes board of directors with a vision to establish funds for student scholarships and teacher grants. Lockers replaced after asbestos abatement, restrooms upgraded, chemistry lab addition to freshman building, room 1. First ever undefeated basketball season. 1994 Construction and dedication of the gymnasium, as well as a parking lot, begins and concludes under the leadership of Superintendent Jane Reynolds with SBA funds under State Superintendent Henry Marockie. FSHS joins Benedum Collaborative. 1995 Multicultural classes, speakers, assemblies, courses, representative flags of fifty ethnicities enhance pride of diverse cultures. Curtains, spotlights, and sprinkler improvements to auditorium with SBA funds of $150,000. 1997 SUCCESS technology grant installs three labs of thirty computers for Language Arts. Closed campus. 1998 FSHS wired to Internet. 1999 The 119th Commencement begins a third century for FHS. Approaching the new millennium, the school celebrates 70 years at its Loop Park location. Intercom system replaced. WFHS TV inaugural season. 2000 GEISA award received Gazette Excellence In Sports Award by The Charleston Gazette for WV All Sports Champion. 2001 Governor Bob Wise addresses the student body the morning after his state- of-the-state address to announce launching "Promise Scholarship Program." FSHS "1000 Voices" fund drive restores auditorium. 2002 FSHS earns listing on National Register of Historic Places, March 22, 2002. Exemplary School recognition from OEPA, Office of Education Performance Audits. Gala celebration of auditorium rededication. Father of rock and roll, Johnnie Johnson, presents concert for the students' return to the auditorium. 2003 Exemplary School recognition from OEPA, Office of Education Performance Audits. 2003-2004 Principal T. Juddson Ashcraft. FSHS Foundation replaces sound system in the auditorium. FSHS joins the SREB High Schools That Work Collaborative. 2004 present Principal Chad A. Norman 2006 Exemplary School recognition from OEPA, Office of Education Performance Audits. Kyle Allard named Kennedy Award winner as the best football player in the state of West Virginia. 2007 Exemplary School recognition from OEPA, Office of Education Performance Audits. Honored with Pacesetter Award from SREB High Schools That Work--one of 19 in the nation. | |