History of Epps High School
A Slice of Epps High School History
by Sherry Pennington-Heasman
Circa 1923
There is much interesting and well documented information about Epps High School. The tattered and yellowed papers from years gone past are well kept in the “old vault” in the school office. Currently Mrs. Dianne Simms is “keeper of the vault.” She has opened up the vault for us to use this information about our school.
Looking through the black and white, crackled photos you might find; an aunt or uncle, your parents or even your grandparents. It’s almost like going through an old family treasure chest. So much information and history is there! Please take a moment to look through the old photos that we have placed on the site. Have a look at the old school buildings, teachers, friends, family and many others. Reminisce and enjoy!
It’s been eighty six years since the doors first opened to students of Epps High School. When the school first opened it was Calvit School, and later changed to Epps Junior High School. It wasn’t until the 1924-25 session that it became a state approved school and later called Epps High School. It was also during this session that the Epps High School Boys’ Basketball team made their first trip to the Louisiana Rally at Pineville, La.
The very first graduating class of Epps High School was the Class of 1925 and the Principal was Mr. R. H. Mount, with Mrs. T. A. Florence as Assistant Principal. There were eight graduates and they walked down the aisle on May 28th 1925. They were: Arthur Newton, Stennis Smith, C.F. Blanchard, Rex Ezell, Mary Leggitt, Lillie Jackson and Holman Leggitt. The very first “Commencement Ceremony read as follows:
First Annual Commencement
EPPS HIGH SCHOOL
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1925
---------
Valedictory ………………………………….............………………… Arthur Newton
Class History ……………………………….........……………..…… Holman Leggitt
Presentation of Class Book …….………..................………………. Stennis Smith
Response ………………………………….…….....………………..…… Essie Lusk
Class Prophecy ………………………………........….…………………. Vester Ezell
Class Song……………………………………………...………………………………..
Class Will ……………………………………………..........…..… C. F. Blanchard, Jr.
Commencement Address....................................................... Hon. Jos. E. Ransdell
Presentation of Diplomas, Scholarships and Awards …..........................………..
Benediction …………………………......................……………….. Rev. C.A. Newton
These individuals along with the dedicated teachers of years gone by have paved the way for those of us that followed, students and teachers alike.
You might be surprised to know that Epps High School had many school plays and recitals. The first was by the Senior Class of 1925. It was called “The Path Across the Hill.” When going through the old “school books” you will see that class plays were very common.
While carefully leafing through the old papers we found this handwritten note:
“Liberality of Merchants and others, including Class of 1925-26 ads were sold on the “Ad Curtain” to the extent of six hundred fifty dollars. On commencement night, twenty five reading certificates, sixteen spelling certificates were awarded. Also a medal from the Interstate Bank was awarded to Miss Essie Lusk, who is a member of our Class of 1926.
A community organization was perfected in our school with the help of Miss Mary Mims of Baton Rouge. Over 150 were present at each of the first two meetings. During the Session, a music department had its beginning with Mrs. S. Miller as teacher. Sixteen pupils were enrolled with Mrs. Miller spending two days of each week in our school. Two recitals were given in the auditorium, which were successful.” – Author Unknown
Some of the information that we came across was not legible, pages were torn or merely disintegrated over time. However, when reading through the documents you can almost picture the event as it happened because it is so colorfully written.
We did find a few written class mottos:
“Class of 1928 – Climb through the Rocks, be rugged for success lies at the gate of Labor.”
“Class of 1929 – The Road called Toil leads to the City called Success.”
“Class of 1930 – After the Clouds, the Sunshine”
“Class of 1931 – Tonight we launch, where we shall Anchor”
The list of class mottos goes on and on. One thing you will find constant in all of the mottos is the sincerity. Nothing is ever achieved without hard work and looking adversity in the face.
So many “old names,” Lusk, Gilmore, Gowan, Simms, Rusk, Neal, Chelette, Raley… these names are still in the community today. There are more and I am certain if you take the time, you will find someone related to you in these books.
We want to share a few entries from the Class Historians. Perhaps this will encourage our High School Youth of today to pick up this tradition again.
An entry from 1941…
“Familiar Traits: Beulah – High Temper but very dependable. Ruth – Matronly and amusing when she wants to be. Jean – Small and Witty. Evelyn – Quiet, dignified and intelligent. Joyce – Quieter than Evelyn and comical. Thesta – Without a care in the world (very high temper). Thelma – Object of nicknames – right now it is Beanie. Alta – An all round girl. Vernangus –Irish temper (draw your own conclusion). Inmon – The only boy…. So……. Jeanette – Very French looking but lots of fun. Faky – To small to try to be so “dignified.” – Jeanette Patrick – Class Historian
An entry from 1942…
“There are now six of the original twenty five in this class which began its school career in 1931. In going through the elementary grades many of the former students dropped out or failed to keep up. But from other schools came capable students ready to take their places among us.
When we entered into the eighth grade there were thirty six enrolled. All thirty six of us were proud to get this far in school even though the honor was made somewhat small by the higher grades. This was our freshman year and we found then name very fitting. But as we progressed to the ninth grade we were getting used to studying harder and we also found a new outlook upon things. This was our sophomore year and we appreciated the way the higher classes treated us after our initiation into high school. The enrollment had dropped from thirty six to twenty seven but there were still a good many hard workers left. When we entered the tenth grade we had found one of our hardest spots in school. In this class a lot of responsibility was laid upon us. We gave the Seniors a moonlight picnic near the end of the school year. This was a big success and made a happy ending of that school year. There were nine boys and eleven girls which finished the tenth grade that year.
One bright morning in September 1941, a small group of seniors gathered upstairs in the chemistry lab to discuss the subjects to be take the coming year. This was to be our final year, and to make our parting be remembered , we tried hard to leave good footprints for those to come. On May 1, 1942, we presented the Senior Play, Laugh Clown. The play was a good success but only with the help of our Director, Miss Barr, did we make it one. On the following Thursday the Juniors gave us a Defense Banquet which we all enjoyed very much.
In our Journey through school there has been developed some very good Athletes in our class which we are all very proud of. One student who was with us till the middle of his Senior year who is now in the United States Army we are especially proud of. This is Lawerence Jackson. But this is not the only one. There are also: ……Pace, Odis Jackson, Leonard…Orrell, and Tommie Lee… all who are good athletes.”
- Troy Francis – Class Historian
This was a shock to all of us, Epps High School actually had a school paper! There is mention of “The Scooper Snooper,”and there may have been one before according to the letter. Here is a letter that was written to Sponsors and Seniors responsible for “The Scooper Snooper” paper:
“New Orleans 19. La.
Nov. 5, 1943
Dear Sponsors and Seniors,
I’m sure you are a bit surprised but I must write and tell you that I enjoyed the 1st issue of your paper very much.
Originating from Epps High “The Scooper Snooper” is the real stuff. It contains new items from which the previous papers, including the one last year, had.
And Thelma keep up your good work on When my ship comes in. I’m sure that prestigious husband is “gonna” fall for this beautiful blonde hair. I, like all other readers, haven’t the slightest idea how she is going to win him back.
Seriously tho: the whole class including you, Miss Doss, did a swell job and I hope that I don’t miss a single copy.
Good luck to all of you.
A previous senior,
Audrey”
Amazing! We had a paper! Drama! And even a series of writings to read! Did you notice the use of the word “tho,” seems they started using the short version long before test messaging!
Faculty:
Many Principals and Teachers have come and gone in the eighty six years of Epps High School. To name them all would take up many pages. Today, Epps High School is full of new faces, faculty and students alike (and even some that have been there for years!). Mr. Eddie Guchereau is Principal and Miss Penny Hale is Vice-Principal, with Mrs. Dianne Simms as School Secretary.
Epps High School has survived many memorable events:
Epps High School was formed shortly after the first World War ended in 1918 and it survived WWII 1939-45, The Korean War 1950-1953, Vietnam War 1960-75, Bay of Pigs Invasion 1961, Grenada 1983, US Invasion of Panama 1989, Persian Gulf War (Desert Storm) 1990-91, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1995-96, Invasion of Afghanistan 2001 and the Invasion of Iraq 2003-present. Many former students of Epps High School have brought honor to it and their families during their service to our country.
Prohibition Era Timeline
1920’s – Students witnessed the rise of bootleggers such as Al Capone in Chicago highlight the darker side of prohibition.
1932 – On August 11th, Herbert Hoover gave an acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination for president in which he discussed the ills of prohibition and the need for it.
1933 – On March 23rd, Franklin D Roosevelt signs the Cullen-Harrison Act with legalizes the manufacture and sale of certain alcohol. On December 5th, prohibition is repealed with the 21st Amendment.
In addition, we witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall and the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. The end of the Cold War!
Great Depression Timeline
Stock Market Crash of 1929 – Many believe erroneously that the stock market crash that occurred on Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929 is one and the same with the Great Depression. In fact, it was one of the major causes that led to the Great Depression. Two months after the original crash in October, stockholders had lost more than $40 billion dollars. Even though the stock market began to regain some of its losses, by the end of 1930, it just was not enough and America truly entered what is called the Great Depression.
Bank Failures
Throughout the 1930s over 9,000 banks failed. Bank deposits were uninsured and thus as banks failed people simply lost their savings. Surviving banks, unsure of the economic situation and concerned for their own survival, stopped being as willing to create new loans. The exacerbated the situation leading to less and less expenditures.
Reduction in Purchasing Across the Board
With the stock market crash and the fears of further economic woes, individuals from all classes stopped purchasing items. This then led to a reduction in the number of items produced and thus a reduction in the workforce. As people lost their jobs, they were unable to keep up with paying for items they had bought through installment plans and their items were repossessed. More and more inventory began to accumulate. The unemployment rate rose above 25% which meant, of course, even less spending to help alleviate the economic situation.
American Economic Policy with Europe
As businesses began failing, the government created the Smoot-Hawley Tariff in 1930 to help protect American companies. This charged a high tax for imports thereby leading to less trade between America and foreign countries along with some economic retaliation.
Drought Conditions
While not a direct cause of the Great Depression, the drought that occurred in the Mississippi Valley in 1930 was of such proportions that many could not even pay their taxes or other debts and had to sell their farms for no profit to themselves. This was the topic of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath.
(I have to ask here – Is history about to repeat itself?)
There have been fourteen presidents since the opening of Epps High School. Epps High School has recently seen the election of the first African American to the office of President.
So as you can see Epps High School Students in the early stages of its existence dealt with a lot of the same problems that the students today are. Epps High School and those students have survived it all!
Many things have come and gone in the sleepy little Village of Epps, Louisiana, one thing has remained, Epps High School. Here’s to the Panther Pride! May it live forever in the hearts of those that have been part of her past and take root in those yet to come!
A very special thanks to Mrs. Dianne Simms and Mr. Eddie Guchereau for allowing us access to “the vault.”