(Source Unknown –
Copy was in file held by Bob Givens, later given to Loretta Corley.
It appears to have been in a
publication other than a newspaper.
It was typeset and book size. Bob
did not cite the source.)
Growth and Improvement of Ryan High School
In the year 1910 the Ryan High School became partially affiliated, but it was
not until 1913 that it became fully accredited with the State University.
After this nothing else was gained or
sought for until the present term, 1916-17.
At the beginning of this year Superintendent Roberson set out with a strong
determination to have the school raised to the highest standard possible for a
high school to reach. And not only
that, but to promote a series of improvements about the building and grounds.
So well and faithfully has he clung
to this determination that our high school has now reached by far the highest
standard of its history.
Instead of sixteen accredited units, we now have twenty-one units recognized by
the State University. In
addition to that we have our school recognized as a Normal Training High School.
Prior to this year when our graduates
have desired to teach they were forced to attend some County Normal, take a
special examination, then received only a Third Grade Certificate which
restricted them to teach in only one county.
This year seven of our graduates will, without further work or
examination, receive a two year First Grade State Certificate
qualifying them to teach in the Grammar Grades of any school in the state.
The addition of this course of study
has put our school on the map, since only a few of the larger schools in the
state, much less schools of this size, have a course of this kind.
The installment of Manual Training and Domestic Science has greatly benefited
and broadened our course of study.
Our graduates who have had the advantage of one of these courses are much better
prepared to meet the duties of life than are those who have graduated heretofore
without these advantages. A glance
into our Manual Training Shop, a seat at either the Senior or Junior Banquet
Table, or even a casual inspection of our Track Meet Exhibit would have
convinced any fair-minded person that rapid strides and an immeasurable amount
of good has been accomplished in these Departments during the present year.
In Athletics we have made the same rapid strides.
The success of our boys this season at Basket Ball has placed us among
the foremost schools of the state in this kind of Sports.
The notoriety that our boys gained at
the State Tournament held at Edmond, gained for us state recognition as a
live-wire school that favors the promotion of good, clean, healthful athletics.
We might further mention that three
of our boys were placed on the all-star teams at the Tournament.
The High School enrollment this year has far exceeded that of any previous year
in the history of the school. Then,
too, it might be added that more harmony, pep, and enthusiasm has existed during
the entire year than during any previous term of which we are able to gather any
information.
This year Superintendent Robertson has steadfastly promoted the publication of a
High School Annual, which is something that should be promoted by every
wide-a-wake and up-to-date school, but heretofore unknown in the Ryan High
School. The student body, “loyal”
patrons and “friends of the school” have cheerfully and enthusiastically rallied
to the support of the Annual staff in the production of this, their first High
School Annual. We feel that even the
most critical will be forced to acknowledge that this has added greatly to the
activity and advancement of our High School work.
During the year a neat and cozy Superintendent’s office has been constructed at
the third floor landing. A
laboratory room that would do credit to any ordinary college has been equipped
with experiment tables, cabinets, etc.
Most of this work was done by Mr. Miller and his Manual Training boys.
Window boxes, tabourets with flowers
and flower pots have been placed in every room.
$200.00 worth of books have been added to our library, twenty-one
magazines and two daily papers come regularly to our library where none have
ever come before. A race track and
considerable play ground equipment has been placed on the school grounds where
none existed before the present term.
A number of flower beds have been placed about the grounds and buildings
where heretofore the grass-burrs held full sway.
Then may we not all join with one accord and acclaim that our school has
advanced about three rungs of its “Life’s ladder” during the year 1916-17.
Ryan Basket Ball History
The true beginning of this kind of athletics in the Ryan High School dates back
to the fall of the year 1913. Foot
ball has never held a prominent place in athletics in this section of the state;
so basket ball was promoted as the coming winter sport for high schools.
The first season the Ryan team played
on an outdoor court and closed the season with very little enthusiasm owing to
the fact that they regarded basket ball as being a “girls’ game.”
The next season however, was begun early and an indoor court was secured.
This year the team was under the
coaching of Mr. Clark who began to infuse quite a bit of spirit and enthusiasm
into the game. Good crowds were
attending the games until a few squabbles took place, then the attendance began
to decrease , and owing to the fact that considerable expense was incurred for
equipment, the season ended with six victories and the same number of defeats,
also an indebtedness of about Fifty dollars.
The next season opened with Mr. Robertson as coach.
A building up town was secured and
enthusiasm began to ascend again.
This season started with a lot of new material but in spite of that fact the
boys won nine out of the thirteen games played and got out of debt.
The next season, which was the one just passed, opened with the same coach and
practically the same team as the year before.
The team started with lots of “pep” and loyal support.
This time it was seen from the start
that Ryan had a team of which she might justly feel proud.
The winning of thirteen out of
fourteen games played previous to the tournament games is due to the fact that
four of the men were last year veterans and also each man was especially fitted
for his particular post.
The only dreg in our cup of joy is the fact that one of our last year worthy
opponents was not in the ring this year.
It would have been pure joy, unalloyed, to have taken three straights
from them this season.
The games to be longest remembered are the Duncan games.
It was gratifying indeed to
administer to them a couple of defeats and thereby get sweet revenge for all
previous trouncings that our team had received at the hands of this splendid
team. Then, too, we should not
forget the Lawton game. Before the
game started, our boys were rather blue, but my! Such a walk – 50 to 18 – shall
we ever forget it?
On March 1st, Coach Robertson rounded up seven of the team and
started for the State Tournament at Edmond.
(We are greatly indebted to our loyal town supporters for the $50 on
which the trip was made.) This trip
was the greatest treat of the entire year.
Our boys were gratified indeed when they administered a defeat to Medford, a
team with a record of sixteen victories and no defeats.
Only two of the twenty-three teams
that entered were still in the ring when we lost to Rush Springs by a score of
30 to 31. Anadarko was declared the
winner of the State Championship. We
are again tempted to smile and praise both our coach and team when we look back
at our score book and in its pages is recorded the fact that WE TROUNCED
Anadarko, winners of the State
Championship, to the tune of 39 to 21.
Ryan 63, Comanche 12, at Ryan
Ryan 46, Park Springs 11, at Ryan
Ryan 32, Duncan 20, at Ryan
Ryan 26, Duncan 17, at Ryan
Ryan 22, Marlow 27, at Marlow
Ryan 63, Loco 15, at Ryan
Ryan 34, Nocona 9, at Ryan
Ryan 36, Randlett 23, at Ryan
Ryan 50, Lawton 18, at Ryan
Ryan 39, Anadarko 21, at Ryan
Ryan 64, Temple 16, at Ryan
Ryan 43, Bowie 28, at Ryan
Ryan 50, Bowie 19, at Ryan
Ryan 37, Kingfisher 12, at Ryan
State Tournament Games
Ryan 23, Glenpool 12, at Edmond
Ryan 33, Medford 27, at Edmond
Ryan 30, Rush Springs 31, at Edmond
Ryan’s Total Scores 692. Opponents
Total 318.
Mrs. J. T. Askew, Teacher, Ryan
2nd Grade -- Primary
Arithmetic, Reading and Spelling
No. Enrolled During the Year: Boys
28, Girls 21, Total 49
Average Daily Attendance: Boys 19,
Girls 14, Total 33
Percent of Attendance: Boys 89%,
Girls 86%, Total 88%
Cases of Tardiness: Boys 62, Girls
45, Total 107
Cases of Truant: Boys 2, Girls 0,
Total 2
Number of days school taught: 180
Number of visits by superintendent:
Several
Times teacher was tardy: None
Times teacher was absent: None
Grade of certificate held by teacher:
Temporary
Salary of teacher per month: $55
Signed by Mrs. J. T. Askew, Ryan