The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-02-16

nine students at Poplar Branch, Cur
rituck county, n. c., which was Kept
up by private subscriptions. 1t was
started in a small of a private
house and continued two years. This
school grew SO, that this small build
ing was crowded to such an extent,
that it was oun necessary to
the school into the odd Fellows Hall.
In 1901, the private school developed
into a public school with one teacher
at first. In 1903. it became a two
teacher school with Prof. Gibbs, a
former student of Trinity College, as
principal. The school continued to
grow so that it outgrew n Odd Eel
low Hall; then a new building was
constructed. The High School was
established in 1907, soon after the
enactment providing for State High
Schools. We feel glad when we think
of Poplar Branch as being one among
the first of the State to apply for a
State High School. In order to help
out the school we got a special tax
the same year. Since then it has been
supported by the special tax and by
the State donation. The school grad
ually grew as the people became
more and more interested.
In October, 1912, the Woman's
Betterment Society was organized in
Poplar Branch High school consti-
tuition and bylaws appointed. The
officers consisted of president, vice
president. secretary and treasurer.
These officers were elected every six
months. The object of the society
was Community Cooperation and
through this cooperation to secure
Il more definite feeling between teach
er and parent. The first year enroll
ment consisted of Is active members
with two honorary members. The
financial record of this years work
was not made public, however. The
receipts were not less than $500. This
amount was spent on building n
grounds. To raise this money enter
of various kinds were CIV
en-. Some of these acting as a social
centers as we'll as building up the
school financially. During this ear
h school building was painted on
the inside, repairs made, one stove
and two coolers bought, the county
gave us $50 with which to paint the
building on the outside.
Plan for Larger Building.
AT the beginning of the second
years work of the society, the over
owd conditions of the school de-
manded a larger building. The ladies
of the Betterment association cooper
ated hand and heart with the men of
the community to put up a new build
ing. Plans for this building were
drawn in January, 1914, by Mr.. j.. T.
Sumrell and accepted by the State
Board of Education n approved by
the County Board of Education. Work
was commenced on the new building
in May. 1914. During this year, the
society had eight entertainments
Some were Of a literary natur and
some for social pleasure.
Among the distinguished educa-
tors who visited the school during
the year and gave interesting enter.
tainments were Miss Beulah McNer-
mae. Of Keyser, W. Va. and Prof
Collier Cobb. of the University OF
North Carolina. Through the effort.
of the High School students severa
entertainments were given for the
benefit of the school. A part of these
were given for the social value anl
instruction. While through others
admission fees were charged anl
ury to be used in the new schoo
building. During this year, the frs
county commencement was observed
through the efforts of the principal
Mr.. X. w. Sibley, assisted by the Bet
terment society
Piano Is Purchased.
After the close of the school, al
entertainment was given at Popla
Branch. Knott's Island. Moyock
Manteo and Point Harbor for the pur
pose of having a piano for the build
ing here. These efforts worked 8
SuCCeSSI ully mat the piano was Sc
cured and put in the building befor
the beginning of the present sessio,
Of school.
An educational rally was held i
tie new building on September 1:
1914. n day was one of great edu
cational value to al who came. TIL
= program consisted of lectures mad
by the following: DR.. w. t. Grigg!
Prof. N. w. Blackwell, Congressma
j. II. Small and Ex-Governor T. .
Jarvis were scheduled to speak, bl
owing to unavoidable circumstance
were unable to be present.
Busy lear With Betterment SOciet,
The session of 1914-15 began wit
five teachers, one giving her entil
time to music. A great dea Of int,
est is being shown in the music d,
partment, the class no consisting
IS students. In October the Bette
ment Society elected new officers.