By KAREN MADORIN
In 1908, Theodore Roosevelt served as President of the United States, Oklahoma added the 46th star to the U.S. flag, William Durant founded what became General Motors Corporation, Henry Ford’s $850 Model-T rolled off the Detroit, Michigan assembly line on September 27, and Ellis, Kansas, residents celebrated seven graduating seniors.
Those creative seniors each assembled their own year book, gluing photos onto thick paper and writing a motto under each picture. An appreciative bunch, they thanked their high school faculty, Superintendent W.E Ford, Principal M. Ethel Hoar, and Assistant Principal Margaret H. Cave for their earnest endeavors to assist the students in every possible way in their high school courses. At the end of the eleven-page booklet, they included their class yell: “Oh, yes, sure as fate; Senior! Senior! 1908!”
Four years later in 1912, the district published The First Annual Catalogue of the Ellis Public Schools. It included an event calendar for the school year, a list and photos of staff and board members, mission statement, descriptions of the entertainment course and the courses of study, general information, and a roll of previous Ellis graduates.
Teachers in 1912–13 were Superintendent J.E. Chamberlain, High School Principal Emilie Wedell, Assistant Principal Dora Kohr, Grade School Principal D’Gracia J. Davis, Addie Frost, Kathryn Marts, Easter Woody, and E. Maude Harris. Board members were Thomas McMahon, E.C. Waldo, and H.K. McLeod.
The high school’s mission statement follows:
"The mission of the high school is comprehensive. It champions the idea of universal education. It places higher education within the grasp of every boy or girl, even in the rural districts. The value of high school education, both as a necessary preparation for admission to college or university, and an effective practical training for the successful pursuits of the various vocations of life is almost universally recognized. The high school should not only prepare for the university; but it should supplement the work of the common school, and above all provide the practical training necessary for the great industrial school, the WORLD."
In order to meet its mission statement of preparing students for the world, the board added two additional courses: Normal Training and Domestic Science. They planned to add Manual Training at the earliest possible opportunity.
In addition to core classes offered, Ellis Public School included an entertainment course in a lyceum format. The catalogue advertised that “Some of the best talent of the age will appear this winter on our Lecture and Entertainment Course.” Most of the programs were musical in nature with some dramatic entertainment as well.
Those seeking to enter high school took an entrance examination they had to pass with a 75% average and no score lower than 60%. Those possessing teacher’s certificates or common school diplomas were admitted without the exam.
The district charged non-resident high school students $9 tuition while non-resident grade school enrollees paid $6. Community members offered board and room to those who didn’t live in town. Local students did not pay tuition.
According to the catalogue, all students were to be treated kindly and considerately, and they were to “Make the work of school their first business.” It was stressed that every effort would be made to make them self-governing and self-directing men and women.
Clearly Ellis intended to develop productive citizens for a changing world.
Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.