The Schools & Teachers of Holliday
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The first
school in Holliday was conducted in a building on the corner where
Clarence Johnson now lives. This was in 1851 before the town was laid
out. The first teacher was Mr. Jason Lewis. In 1883 a schoolhouse was
built on the lot east of the former J.A. Hemmings property, now owned by
Robert Farrell. A second two-room building was put on this same lot in
1895.
Public School - Holliday In
1905, on land donated by J.M. Blades, a large two-story frame school
building was constructed where the present schoolhouse stands. The first
high school was a two-year course. The first graduating class was in
1909. Class members were Virginia Carter, Ruth Blades, Edith Moore, Carl
Howell, Roy Farrell, Lloyd Ellington. E.T. Fuller and Claude Stephens
were teachers. In 1918 the high school offered a three-year course, and
by 1920 had become a four-year accredited school. This
building burned in 1927, and was replaced by the present brick structure
in 1928. Through
the years the school has produced many students who became useful and
prominent citizens. Many good teachers have contributed to the education
of the children of the community, and many dedicated men and women have
served on the Board of Education. Athletics played an important part in the school and in the community. There were many good basketball teams, both boys and girls. Trophies won in these years are on display at the schoolhouse in a case at the entrance of the building. The first girls basketball team was formed in 1911. The team members were Eva Akers, Bertha McCreery, Marie Dixon, Della Hill and Eva Dye. In 1944
the district found itself unable to continue to operate the high school.
Since that time high school students have been transported by bus to
Paris, with the Holliday district payiiig their tuition. Following the
closing of the high school, the elementary school operated as a
one-room, one-teacher school. In 1957 the rural districts of Callis,
Evans, Mt. Pleasant, Turner, Mason, Ransdell, Cross Hollow, and Union
voted to form a consolidation with the Holliday district, with the
elementary students being transported into the Holliday School by bus.
This system remains in effect today. Teachers
with long years of teaching service within the Holliday School system
are Miss Ann Lee Woods, 18 years; Miss Bertha McCreery, 15 years; J.D.
Harrell, 15 years; and Mrs. Mildred Howe, 23 years. The
greatest enrollment in the elementary school since consolidation has
been 137. 85 students are enrolled at the present time. Teachers are
Mrs. Anna Kinder, principal, Mrs. Margaret Sterrett, Mrs. Margaret
Smith, Mrs. Janet Huffman, Miss Linda Sham, and Mr. Steve Harrison.
Board of Education members are Charles Ensor, president, Fred Blades,
Ray Coffman, Marvin Houston, Justus Olney,and Johnny Ragsdale. Benton
Dickerson has served as school secretary and treasurer for 31 years. A Parent-Teachers’ Association which was affiliated with the National PTA was formed in 1941. Mrs. Virginia Heitmeyer was the first president. This remained active until the high school closed in 1944. In 1945 a Mothers Club was formed in connection with the elementary school. This later came to be called the PTA, although there is no national affiliation. This organization has contributed greatly to the support of the school, from canning fruits and vegetables for the lunchroom to sponsoring money-making activities, such as square dances and pie suppers. |
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Teachers of Holliday Schools
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