Ebensburg Cambria High School

Realizing need for greater educational opportunities the School Boards of Ebensburg and Cambria Township on June 13, 1927, held the first joint meeting of the boards to consider the erection of a new high school.  A permanent organization was established on Nov. 30, 1927.  The Ebensburg Board at that time, was composed of John Elder, president; A.J. Apel, secretary; John Hildebrand, N.A. Young and Benjamin Evans.  The personnel of the Cambria Township Board was J.A. Gray, president; L.S. Jones, secretary; J.O. Davis, George Bumford and Dr. A.W. Beatty.  During the erection of the building Judge Ivan J. McKendrick and Charles S. Evans were elected to the Ebensburg Board and A. E. Roberts, J.A. Kuhlman and Harry George became members of the Cambria Township Board.  In the organization of the joint board, John Elder was elected president and L.S. Jones was elected secretary.

The foresight of these directors resulted in a joint high school which opened greater opportunities for the youth of earth district than could have possibly been provided by the districts operating separately.

In the fall of 1927, the voters of each district approved the bond issues and plans were made for the erection of the building.  On March 30, 1928, the following contracts were awarded:  the general building contract to John P. Snyder for $140,267; plumbing to the C.P. Welty Company for $10, 690; wiring to Reese & Bernard for $7,609.83 and on April 27, 1928, the heating contract was awarded to William Clark Company for $26,150.

The school was completed in the Spring of 1929 and the building was first used to conduct the Commencement exercises for the of 1929 when 32 young men and women were presented with diplomas.  School was held for the first time on Sept. 9, 1929, and there were 328 pupils enrolled.  Since that time the school population has increased until the maximum was reached in 1941 when 789 pupils were recorded on the roll.

In the organization of the new school there was felt a need of a strong personality who could lead both the pupils and the teachers in the new adventure.  Mr. E. M. Johnston, at that time Supervising Principal of the schools at Saltsburg, Pa., was elected principal, and he has served in that capacity up to the present time (1954).  Mr. Johnston was graduated from the State Teachers College, Indiana, Grove City College and the University of Pittsburgh, from which institution he received his M.A. degree.  He has also had additional training at the University of West Virginia and the University of Chicago.

The first faculty of the Ebensburg-Cambria High School was composed of R.J. Hartzell, supervising principal; E.M. Johnston, principal, and the following teachers:  F.M. Thornton, E.R. VanKirk, H.E. Himes, C.L. Larimer, E.M. Francis, Martha Jones, Elizabeth Fleming, Esther Smith, Marion Thomas, Mildred Hetrick, Dorothy Davis and Helen Schettig.

The first school year progressed very nicely and the following June a class of 52 was graduated.  At the close of that year, Mr. Johnston presented a plan for expansion which would include a cafeteria, library, a physical education department, an industrial arts department, a school physician, a dental hygienist and further improvement of the athletic field.  This program was approved and the improvements were made gradually as follows:

1930-1931

     (a)     The library was opened under the direction of a certified teacher.

(b)     A physical education program was approved and certified teachers were elected to instruct both boys and girls.

 1931-1932

 (a)     The cafeteria was fully equipped and operated for the pupils who were required to remain at the school during the lunch hour.

     1932-1933

 (a)     The school band was organized.

(b)     A certified dental hygienist was elected.

     1933-1934

(a)    A school physician was added to the regular corps of employees.

(b)    A federal project was secured for the improvement of the athletic field and additional work inside the building

1934-1935

 (a)    For the benefit of the pupils a system of directed study was inaugurated.  This plan has reduced the amount of home study, reduced the amount of failures, increased the quality of work done and has reduced the number of pupils who discontinue school before the end of the term.

Under the direction of Mr. Johnston, the educational standards have been raised considerably.  In 1931 the high school was rated by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges and approved.  Ebensburg Cambria High School is one of the two schools in Cambria county that has been approved by this association.  We should be proud of the fact that when our graduates are able to enter any college and receive full credit for the work done in our school.  Some of our graduates have been so well prepared that they were able to become honor students at the various colleges.

Our school authorities have received commendation from several colleges including,  Syracuse University, Wilson College, State College, Geneva College, Indiana State Teachers College and the University of Pittsburgh.

Although there were only 250 pupils in the high school during the erection of the building, the Board of Education provided facilities for 500, but they felt that that number would never be reached.  But this maximum was soon reached and it was found necessary to furnish additional facilities.

During the 1935-1936 school term, the East wing was added which made possible the addition of three new departments, Industrial Arts, Home Economics and Agriculture.  These courses were opened in the fall of 1936.  Mr. Douglas Phillips was employed to teach Industrial Arts, Miss Arlene Hoover was elected to the Home Economics department and Mr. Joseph Miller was the supervisor of Agriculture.

The school soon outgrew its capacity and a new expansion became necessary.  The West wing was added during the 1938-1938 school term and it was made available for use in the fall of 1939.  The addition provided for an Art department and a modern science department, in addition to show rooms for both boys and girls.

The Ebensburg Cambria High School not only serves the residents of Ebensburg and Cambria Township but a large portion of the students from Jackson Township and Prince Gallitzin Districts attend our consolidated school.  A school enrolment reveals the fact that some additional expansion will be necessary if these areas continue to seek educational advantages in Ebensburg.

During the last quarter of a century, the Ebensburg Cambria High School has pioneered in many activities.  In fact it was one of the first districts in the state to consolidate and the success of this organization has been a forerunner for the recent wholesale consolidation program that has been conducted throughout the state of Pennsylvania.

It was in the local school, where the Student Participation Council of the Secondary School of Pennsylvania was organized, in 1934, under the direction of F.M. Thornton.  Harry Hauth was the first president of the state organization.  During the time that Mr. Gordon Williams was in charge of the Music Department, he had the foresight to organize the music teachers of the state into Pennsylvania State Music Association.

The following state organizations were established under his direction:  The first State Orchestra was held in our auditorium in 1934; the first Western Pennsylvania State Band was held in 1932; the first State Chorus was held in 1934; the first Guidance clinic in Cambria county was held in our school in 1934 under the direction of Mr. Alvin T. Buck, who was the first certified director in Cambria county.  All of these organizations have survived to the present time and include membership from practically every secondary school in the state.

From a scholastic standpoint, membership in the Middle States Association was gained in 1931.  In 1940, when the method of evaluation was established, our school was one of the first in the state to be approved.  It was again evaluated in 1950 and has ranked in the upper 20% of all approved schools since its initial membership.  The rating enables graduates to attend any college or University throughout the country.  Recognition of our standing has also been given by various colleges in the establishment of student training centers.  Our school at present, trains student teachers for Indiana State Teachers College and Saint Francis college.  Other colleges have made application for similar consideration, but to date this approval has not been granted.

During the second World War, we contributed extensively to the various services.  Until the end of World War II, a careful record listed 1,096 former students who answered the call of their democracy to serve in whatever capacity the government needed them.  Among this group, thirty boys made the supreme sacrifice and gave their lives for their country.  Since that time about 10 additional former students made the same sacrifice during the Korean struggle.

With the exception of during the war years, there has been a gradual growth in the school enrollment.  Preparation has been made for over 800 students this fall.

In addition to the regular day program, evening classes have been conducted for adults and for those who have been deprived of a high school education.  The enrollment varies, but this service has been available to over 300 adults in a single year.  The normal enrollment each year is approximately 200, which includes instruction in Home Economics, Industrial Arts, Agriculture, Art, Driver Training and Typing.  Any course may be given when application is made by 20 or more adults.

During the operation of this high school; 2,852 students have been graduated, in addition to approximately 100 who received diplomas through the program initiated by the Armed Service organizations.

Four of the original faculty members have served this district for 25 years and will continue their interest and contribution.  They are Mr. Frank Thornton, Miss Martha Jones, Miss Dorothy Davis and Mr. E. M. Johnston.

 As written in the Mountaineer Herald, 17 August 1954