Smyrna times., 1950-06-15


the schoolroom, rules were strictly
enforced, aided by strap or
hickory sappling. In retaliation
the students attempted once each
year to carry their teachers about
on a rail. One of the teachers in
old schoolhouse No. 5, Mr.. John
Lycett, wrote that he carried re-
volver "by the advice of the trus-
tees" in order to avoid the rail.
However, all was not play, for a
solid foundation in the 8 RS was
firmly imbedded Mr.. Lycett also
stated that "the aim was to devel-
op good and useful citizens "a
guiding principle in the schools Of
today.
1t was in these early days that
the first local teachers association,
composed of educators in and near
Smyrna, was formed. Regardless
of the strides of the public school,
the local private school continued
to flourish, for in 1868 The Smyrna
Seminary was organized. This
school influenced not only local ed
ucational trends but soon acquired
a statewide Importance. The cur
riculum was varied, including
languages, higher mathematics, in
strumental and vocal music, draw
ing and painting. The prospectus
for this institution announced that
the schoolrooms would be furnish
ed with the modern appliances of
education, such as globes, maps,
and charts. 1t was under the aus
pices of the Seminary that the first
Teachers Institute of Kent County
was held in Smyrna in the spring
of 1868. Followed by others, this
meeting created such interest in
educational work that a movement
was initiated to reorganize the en-
tire public school system of the
state. The Importance which the
Seminary manifested in this move
ment was verified when the princi-
pal of that institution was named
the first state superintendent of
public instruction.
The act enabling the school COM
missioners to consolidate the
schools was passed by the Legisla-
ture in 1881. For our toWnsmen
this signified the merger of schools
numbers 8, 5, n, and 107. BY 1884,
a building had been erected on the
site of the present school. This edl-
fee served the community for half
century, augmented by the new
building in 1922 and replaced by the
present structure in 1885.
The trends of modern education
are easily discernible in this brief
resume of local progress. From the
small compact schoolhouse of a
century or more ago the growth
toward a large consolidated school
is evident.
We, the Class of 1850, realize
that the facilities for our education
have resulted from the untiring ef-
forts of educators and citizens
working together since our earliest
DAYS. The instruction Of our fore
fathers was designed to meet the
needs of a self-contained commun-
lity: in contrast, education for the
modern student has been constant
1y modified to satisfy not only local
demands but those of worldwide
scope. Modern education has pre-
pared us to accept the responsible
tiles that will be ours as the citi-
zens of tomorrow. AS active men,
bers in the community we will aid
in the continuing expansion of the
present school system. The words
of the anonymous poet of a CEN
tury ago retain their significance
today serving as the challenge
which is ours:
Broad fields, uncultured and un-
claimed,
Are waiting for the plough
OF progress, that shall make
them bloom
A hundred years from now.
Betty Lou Carrow
Juniors Assist
The following Junior girls were
ushers at the mencement exer
cises: Jane conley, Jean Conley
Sara Jane Sparks, Doris Virdin
POT LUCK
CON be
RAD ElICk