PERIOD 1929-1942

In the fall of 1929, as a result of building an incinerator across the street from the school building, the city water line was extended to the new construction, and the school was immediately supplied with city water. Improvements were made in instructional material such as books for the library. One set of the World Book Encyclopedia was purchased through school activities and donations from the Parent Teacher Association. A set of Compton’s Red Book Encyclopedia was added to the collection of reference material. To aid in the preparation of materials for seatwork, an efficiency duplicator was purchased. With the use of the duplicator, the Rosenwald Zip, a school paper came into being. It was published by the junior and senior classes. At the end of that year, these classes published the first yearbook, The Echo.

Interscholastic athletic activities were also organized in the year 1929 in the form of football. This activity brought the school in contact with other schools in this section of the state. It also became necessary to organize an Athletic Conference among these schools. The boys and girls who entered the ninth grade in 1929 were ready for completion of the tenth grade in the spring of 1931. The community realized that the high school training was inadequate, and asked that a four year course be organized. In the fall of 1931, the eleventh grade was added. In this period, the County board of Education agreed to pay tuition for the county high school pupils, in order that they could attend the city school. This increased the overall high school enrollment. With an organization of high school, extra-curriculum activities increased also. These included debating, oratorical contests, and the Hi-Y club. The Hi-Y club for older boys comprised all schools in the upper Cumberland area. In the fall of 1933 our athletics reached the height in winning the football championship of their district. Also, during this year, a boy’s scout troop was registered and the improvement of the grounds by the Work Program Association (W.P.A.). A toy orchestra was organized in the primary grades that gave delightful performances for the community. The operetta, Once In A Blue Moon, was directed by Miss Alberta Settle, and performed in the Harlan High School Auditorium. The addition of a basement room for the primary work brought much to the community. From January to May, lunches were served to forty-two children whose parents were on relief. Rosenwald’s student candidate, Jack McGhee, won the County Spelling Bee of February 22, 1933. He was privileged to travel to Louisville to compete in the state contest. Perhaps the best year in the history of the school was the year of 1937-1938. With the opening of the September fall term, we were able to accommodate the entire colored enrollment in splendid fashion! This was possible because the Harlan Board of Education completed some remodeling to the school building, added new equipment, and hired an additional teacher. Books in the library were cataloged. The Board of Education and the PTA added many new books during the year A home economics department was organized. The teachers worked under the Smith-Hughes Setup with the Board of Education assuming a portion of the salary. The first ever fashion show was held under the supervision of the home economics teacher. A very successful event! A yearbook, The Torch, was published by the junior and senior classes. This was done at a very small cost and those associated with the project were highly commended. Other activities were sponsored that year, the dramatics club, debate club, and miscellaneous activities.

During the year of 1938-1939 another teacher was added to the faculty. It was decided to secure one who could coach athletics as well as teach classes. Mr. Joseph Kendall, a former Negro All-American was hired for this dual position. The Red Devils had a 7-1 winning season, placing them in a three-way tie for the championship for Southeastern Kentucky. What a great accomplishment by Professor Kendall and the team! The largest graduating class to date, 18 students was graduated that year. What a glorious accomplishment! For the second consecutive year, the school received an accredited rating. This enabled all graduates to attend any Negro college of his or her choice without taking an entrance examination. Twenty-seven students received certificates of honor for scholarships and attendance for the year. Gold medals were awarded to Alfreda Jackson (Mrs. Watts), the class valedictorian and other students with high scholastic achievements. Ninety-seven students received blue ribbons for achievement in health. In February 1941, a school band was organized. The band met twice weekly under the direction of Mr. Leroy Davis, band director of the Lynch, Kentucky Colored School. The band presented an excellent concert during commencement week, with limited training. Roberta Howard received a reward key for Best Individual performance in dramatics for her role in the play, "Patty Makes Things Hum." Thirty students of the elementary grades received certificates of recognition in attendance and scholarship. Blue ribbons were awarded to fourth grade students for achievements in health work.