Future Farmers Always Learning

Santa Paula Chronicle
Thursday, November 16, 1967

For many years, Santa Paula High School has offered one of the highest quality Agriculture programs in the state. Currently students have the opportunity to learn about Agriculture through our award winning Agriculture Academy, lead by Alex Flores.

Giving members of the Santa Paula High School Future Farmers of America chapter pointers on an engine for an electric generator, SPHS agriculture teacher Don Lafferty typifies teachers all over the county who inspire youngsters with an interest in agriculture. "It's important", says Lafferty, "that we have a continuing supply of agriculturists."

Agriculture is not a dying art, and like so many other skilled pursuits, often suffers from a shortage of knowledgeable participants." Kurt Axell (left) and Mike Barrick, SPHS agriculture students, attend Lafferty carefully. Rig is used in instruction of welding agricultural implements.

Science Column

1903 El Solano Yearbook

The following is a page from the 1903 El Solano Yearbook. The early yearbooks were more literary publications than current yearbooks, although they did have some photographs of students, including all seven students of the senior class.

The entire 1903 El Solano yearbook is online as are the 1932 and 1936 yearbooks.

THE knowledge obtained by the study of science has already become of practical use to at least one member of the fourth year science class. Anita has invented and prescribed a medicine in the shape of a powder, warranted to cure all cases of stupidness, sleepiness, and foolishness resulting from a period of Science IV.

Why is Hal like light?
Because it is hard for him to turn a corner.

Was Mr. Owen actually afraid of a beam of light, or why did he stoop and go under it, in the physics laboratory, one day?


Wallace (to the other members of the physics class) I am now going to effect a transference of this transparent substance, commonly called water.”

RAINBOWS. -- Mr. Owen, in Science IV: “Anita, describe a bow” (beau).
Silence.
Mr. Owen: “Have you ever seen a bow? If so, when? and in what position were you?”
Anita: “In the daytime and with my back to the sun” (son).
Mr. Owen: “Have you ever seen a bow in the moonlight? If so, in what position were you then?
No reply.
Mr. Owen: “Is there a secondary bow?”
Anita: “Sometimes.”

Mr. Owen (during the work with C02 gas): “When you buy soda-water what do you pay for?”
Faith: “ Gas.”

SPUHS Board Studies Possible Expansion Moves

Santa Paula Chronicle
October 25, 1962

Here's an interesting article from 1962. The district at the time was considering buying some land above Virginia Terrace. The land wasn't purchased, and houses were built instead, but it would have made quite a hike from a classroom on that end of the school to the 500's (even more so than it is today).

Santa Paula High School trustees took a longing look at vacant property in the school's back yard yesterday and heard superintendent Everett Buchan call for "Serious Consideration" on the purchase of the property.

Buchan told the trustees it is possible to get "more mileage" out of the existing plant, but sooner or later - more than likely sooner - something is going to have to be done.

The land, across Virginia Terrace from present school buildings, includes a 53-acre portion now on the market, only part of which the trustees expressed interest in. It is now owned by Buenaventura Lemon Co. Fred Udall is acting as agent.

Basic Philosophy
Administrative assistant Ethan Fullmer told the board they should consider what is now and what will be the basic philosophy of the school, particularly toward expansion of the present plant or branch construction on a new site.

Buchan said the only place for new classrooms, already needed, is "up in the air." He said this is not entirely impractical; many schools have two story classroom buildings which serve quite well.

If, however, the school expands its academic capability, then a like expansion of physical education facilities, possibly cramped tighter than classrooms, will be necessary. Buchan said he feels the school needs extra space for this purpose. Specialists in physical education facilities visited the school today to help with a survey.

The board wound up their discussion of the property by agreeing to hire local civil engineer Elbert J. Tate as an engineering consultant to give them preliminary information on the property.

High School Notes: September 14, 1944

Santa Paula Chronicle
Thursday, September 14, 1944

High School Notes

I'm not sure when school started back then, but I'm guessing it was around the beginning of September. It sounds like there was some sort of Freshmen initiation period for the first few weeks. I haven't seen anything about it in the old yearbooks I've gone through, but have concentrated on the early to middle 1930s recently - it might be a tradition that was introduced later.

A big day is in order for the members of the freshman class Friday. They are happy to know that it will be the last day of slaving for the upperclassmen, and that they will get a chance to find out how pleasant high school can be - but Friday isn't over. An assembly will be held last period, where each member will get a chance to face the student body. There will be singing, dancing, skits, etc., in the form of "Truth or Consequences," mostly consequences, the seniors predict.

After the assembly the sophomores will get their chance with the freshmen as they participate in the tie-up, an old tradition of the school. To bring the exciting day to a close, the student body has a "get acquainted" dance on the calendar. The stirring music of the Santa Barbara band will strike its first note at 8 p.m. in the gymnasium. Fun will be had for all, with table tennis and various games for those not wishing to dance. Refreshments will be served.

With David Diefenderfer, president of the Ventura county Hi-Y, Tri-Y council presiding, the Hi-Y, Tri-Y clubs from Ventura County met in Memorial hall Monday afternoon for a "program planning retreat." Each club presented its program for the coming year with many suggestions for a successful year. Jeanne Dudley, president of the local Tri-Y club presented their calendar of activities for the year, and Larry Snyder doing the same for the boys' club. Mr. Dean Triggs, superintendent of schools, was the guest speaker for the afternoon session, talking to the group on race prejudice and juvenile delinquency.

The group then adjourned to Steckel Park, where dinner was served. Food was furnished by the Santa Paula clubs, hosts for the occasions. The evening session began with singing led by Dwight Goodenough. To complete the evening, John Stone, area YMCA secretary, spoke on "The Year Ahead."

The officers of the Girls' Athletic association promise an exciting year ahead for its members. A rally will be held in the gym Monday for all old members, and new students interested in joining the club. Billie Ann Carroll, president, announced that the first sport, speedball, will begin next week.

Wilhoit to Red Sox

Santa Paula Chronicle
Thursday, September 4, 1919

Joe Wilhoit was born in Kansas in 1885. According to the article below, he was a student at Santa Paula High School, although many stories state that he lived in Santa Barbara in his younger days. He became a professional baseball player in 1916 with the Boston Braves and retired seven years later in 1923. During this time he played in the 1917 World Series with the New York Giants against the Chicago White Sox (the White Sox won) and had a minor league hitting streak of 69 consecutive games, which stands as a record to this day. He also played with Babe Ruth on the Boston Red Sox.

Former Santa Paulan Fine Baseball Player

The appended news items regarding one of our former Santa Paula high school boys will be of interest to many of the Chronicle readers:

WILHOIT TO RED SOX

BOSTON, AUG. 18 - Word was received tonight from E.G. Barrow, manager of the Boston American League baseball club, who is in St. Louis, that he had closed a deal with the Wichita (Kan.) club of the Western League for Joe Wilhoit, who leads that legue in batting. Manager Barrow also announced that Pitcher Bill James had been released from the Chicago American League club on a waiver claim.

WICHITA, Kan., Aug. 18 - Joseph Wilhoit, released today from the Boston Americans, late in July broke the record for number of consecutive games in which a player had made a safe hit, and has continued the record all month. With the second game yesterday at St. Joseph, he completed his sixty-seventh game of consecutive hits. In these sixty-seven games he has been at bat 291 times and has obtained 148 hits. Wilhoit entered organized baseball four years ago, and in 1917 played with the Boston Nationals for a time.

Crowd Sees High School Play Open

Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, May 12, 1950

Here's a short one on the senior play of 1950. I had initially thought that it might be some sort of sequel to Arsenic and Old Lace (a great comedy with Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster). It wasn't a sequel, but sounds like it went over well with the audience!

"That Brewster Boy" ran riot through the Santa Paula High School auditorium last night, planning and executing his mischievous antics along with pal Pee Wee. A large crowd turned out to view the opening night performance of the senior class play, which will be repeated tonight for the benefit of those who couldn't make it last night.

Curtin time is 8 o'clock.

Directed by Carl Jorgenson, the play is one big laugh all the way through, revolving as it does around the dizzy antics of this typical teenage youngster.

The centre of confusion is played by Bob Schlichter, and his pal Pee Wee is played by Vernon Edde, student body president this year.

Those who saw the play last night reported an enjoyable time, and tonight's crowd, which is expected to surpass last night's, is sure to get it's money's worth.

Tickets will be available at the box office.

'Super-Colossal' Carnival Planned At High School

Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, March 12, 1937

This post is going to leap about 50 years ahead to 1937 with a story (written by SPHS Students) about upcoming Santa Paula High School events. The main story is about an ASB school carnival, with additional information about a school board banquet, a St. Patrick's Dinner and a Hi-Y conference. The Hi-Y conference is interesting in that the Hi-Y club was prominent in yearbooks and stories around the 1930's. It stands for HIgh school Ymca. The story of the club's origin is that in 1889 a teacher took some cigars away from students and challenged them to do something more worthwhile with their lives. The students challenged the teacher to help them, and the Hi-Y organization was formed. The goal of the club is to help students improve themselves, their school and community. I'm not sure how true the tale is, but it's interesting.

Students prepare for Gala Event Next Friday; P.T.A. Joint Sponsor

This weekly resume of high school news is prepared by Cecille Pettitt and LaVerne Beck, Students in Williams Bauer's English Classes.

THANKS
At this time we feel that it is most appropriate to extend the sincerest thanks of the students of S.P.U.H.S. to all those voters who made it possible for the school bond issue to go through.

CARNIVAL
Ringling brothers will look like amateurs in comparison! P.T. Barnum will seem like a piker after the school circus and carnival. The date - March 19, the place - high school gym. It will be "tremendously original, surprisingly 'different' and stupendously entertaining.

The local P.T.A. fathers will present a hair-raising "Meller-Drama". "Doctor" Coultas, who is athletic adviser in his spare time, will dissect a human torso before your very eyes. Among the many other concessions there will probably be a fun-house, and a terrific "Slide For Life." There will be various baseball throws, games, dancing, and plenty of balloons and confetti. A Hula-hula show is being considered by the Hi-Y bays and of course there will be barkers, too. Jim Lincoln, student body president, will do some 'plain and fancy' orating for this cause. Bill (Swampy) Larkin, also will be a barker.

This year's carnival is being sponsored by the student body of Santa Paula high school and the local Parent-Teachers association. Each student organization is to sponsor and operate a separate concession.

As an added feature, all grammar school children will receive 10 cents worth of scrip free with their admission tickets. The public is cordially invited.

SCHOOL BOARD BANQUET
Invitations have been sent to the school board members requesting their presence at a dinner which will be served in the school's dining room March 17. The home making girls are giving the dinner, and the decorations will be carried out in green and white in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

ST. PATRICK'S DINNER
At 6:30 Thursday evening, the homemaking girls are giving a dinner for their mothers in the cafeteria. Green and white will be the dominating colors in honor of Ol' St' Patrick. Corsages will be given to the mothers as they enter. Ruth Redick will present a toast to the mothers and Dorothy West will welcome them. Dorothy Burdick is in charge of the program, which gives evidence of being very entertaining.

HI-Y CONFERENCE
On Saturday and Sunday the annual older boys conference will be held at the First Methodist church in Ventura. The Santa Paula Hi-Y's plan to attend this conference. Frank Wyckoff, Olympic athlete; Miss Mary Blair Wallace, distinguished lecturer on personality adjustment and human relationships; and Doctor Frederick P. Woellner, of U.C.L.A. will be honored guests.

The topic of the day will be "Creating Character." This, and many other attractions, including basketball competition for the tri-county clubs, will keep the boys interested.