| 1871 |
Lorimier School, the first public school in Cape Girardeau, was built. |
| 1908 |
The first class graduated from Cape Girardeau High School's two-year
program at the West Broadway School location. |
| 1909 |
Enrollment: 14 Ninth graders; 3 teachers. |
| 1910 |
Enrollment: 38 students; 5 teachers. |
| 1911 |
Enrollment: 67. The high school moved to the renovated Lorimier
School building. Football began. |
| 1912 |
First graduating class from the 4-year high school.
Enrollment: 71 students; 8 faculty. Four seniors: Cecil Lorenz,
Ethel Masterson, Mamie Pickens, Gladys Welborn. First
Commencement exercises: Baccalaureate Sermon: Sunday,
May 19; Senior Class play: Tuesday; presentation of diplomas,
musical selections and address in the Presbyterian Church:
Wednesday, May 22.
Senior class rings were purchased; first publication of The Girardot.
School Hours: 8:30-3:00. Gowan Literary Society (girls); Lorimier
Literary Society (boys); Boy's Athletics: Football, Basketball and
Track; Girl's Athletics: Basketball. |
| 1913 |
Enrollment: 69; 9 graduate. $125,000 bond passed to remodel schools and build a high school on land donated in 1810 by Louis Lorimier. |
| 1914 |
Enrollment: 97; 3 graduate. |
| 1915 |
Enrollment: 144; 12 faculty, 17 graduate. Cornerstone ceremony at the Pacific Street school on March 20. Students moved into the new building October 22. |
| 1916 |
Enrollment: 181; 19 graduate. Girardot published by the Senior Class. |
| 1917 |
Enrollment : 327; 17 graduate. |
| 1918 |
Enrollment: 332; 25 graduate. Red Dagger Club organized. |
| 1919 |
Enrollment: 376; 37 graduate. The "Central Clarion" newspaper began, the first high school newspaper in Southeast Missouri. Alumni Association organized. |
| 1920 |
School name changed from Cape Girardeau High School to Central High School. The annex was completed and the Orchestra, Central's first instrumental music ensemble, began. |
| 1921 |
The name "TIGERS", symbolizing strength, was selected by a vote of the student body as the name for our mascot. Enrollment: 630; 54 graduate. The Vocational Arts Building addition to the school was completed. |
| 1922 |
Enrollment: 621; 80 graduate. 18 clubs. Freshman Class at "120 strong" is the biggest in Central High's history. |
| 1923 |
Sports: Football, Basketball, and Track; Girls Basketball. The Girardot boat excursion was held the day before the Baccalaureate Sermon. Two graduations, in January (the 8th graders came to CHS) and May were held each year. |
| 1924 |
Enrollment: 666; 84 graduate. A County Fair supported clubs and sports. |
| 1925 |
Student Council was organized to "discuss the problems of school activities" and "control all problems of the student body." Orange-Aid spirit group formed. |
| 1926 |
The first musical comedy, "Pickles", was performed. "Because many of the leading doctors of this country have objected to inter-school basketball for girls as being detrimental to their general well-being, and because the State Athletic Association, of which Central is a member, has gone on record against it, girl's basketball, an institution of long standing here, was abolished." |
| 1927 |
The Tiger staff was granted a charter to "Quill and Scroll"; the Girardeau-Central Chapter of the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools was organized. |
| 1928 |
Classes continued to organize intra-school basketball teams. Peppers spirit group started. |
| 1929 |
"C" Club was organized by athletes who had earned a letter in any sport; all male graduates were considered honorary members. |
| 1930 |
144 graduate. Houck Stadium was opened where Central played Football. |
| 1931 |
Mr. Shivelbine took over the band; Miss Riech organized the Drum and Bugle Corps. Annual cruise upriver on the Girardot excursion continued which included dancing and exchanging autographs. |
| 1932 |
The Football Queen was crowned at the Thanksgiving Football game after leading the student parade to the stadium. The Band entered the stadium playing "Tigers, Tigers". |
| 1933 |
The Football team played larger schools; Baseball games were played at Fairground Park; start of CHS Tennis. |
| 1934 |
The cafeteria opened serving 56 students and teachers on September 17. The passageway connecting the main building to the cafeteria was completed and the gymnasium floor was repaired. |
| 1935 |
159 graduate. First National Honor Society banquet. |
| 1936 |
Enrollment: 640. Requirements for graduation: English: 4 units; History: 2 units; Civics:1 unit; Mathematics: 1 unit; Science: 1 unit; Government: 1/2 unit; Hygiene: 1/2 unit; Physical Education: 1/2 unit; Electives: 5 1/2 units. TOTAL : 16 units. Maintenance for Central per year: $44,501.36; an average $74.67 per pupil. Instructors' salaries: $40,058; janitors': $2,353.50; water:$277.32; lights and power: $327.37; telephone: $42.48; fuel: $875.80; supplies: $566.75. |
| 1937 |
Boys and Girls Swimming became a club and met at the State Teachers' College Swimming Pool; our Football team won every game. |
| 1938 |
A plate lunch cost 10 cents. Armistice Day observed with 1 minute of silence on 11/11 with Taps played in the hallway. |
| 1939 |
180 graduate. Seniors participated in Tacky Day. |
| 1940 |
Students and former athletes gave talks in Pep Assemblies. Graduation was held at the State Teacher's College. Girardot cost: $1.75 |
| 1941 |
Enrollment: 700. The Girardot staff was told to complete the book early in case it would not be printed because of war orders. |
| 1942 |
The Library and study hall were revised. Central High School began "wartime" February 9 and started the day at 7:00 R.T. (Roosevelt Time). The first Air Raid Drill was April 7. Student Activity cost increased 5 cents plus 4 Mill Tax. Blue gowns were selected for graduation. |
| 1943 |
An Awards Assembly was held on the last day of school. |
| 1944 |
The Girardot was not published in 1944 because of World War II. Students enjoyed class plays, lyceums, and athletics. |
| 1945 |
The Girardot was not published in 1945 because of World War II. Rationing affected students and the greater community. Tires and gasoline were the most difficult to obtain in our area. Start of CHS Baseball. |
| 1946 |
The opening pages of the 1946 Girardot listed the names of the 50 men and women who gave their lives for our country. The next pages listed the 1536 names of former Central students who served in the military during World War II. Mr. Shivelbine wrote our "Alma Mater" which was performed before the Turkey Day game against the Jackson Indians.
CHS welcomeed Cheerleaders. |
| 1947 |
For the first time, our "Alma Mater" was published in the Girardot. Textbooks were located in the Book exchange. |
| 1948 |
493 Girardots were sold. Houck Field House burned on February 17 canceling all remaining home Basketball games. Our Band went to Jackson Band Festival and the Cotton Carnival in Sikeston. |
| 1949 |
Student Council presidents continued to be elected for a one-semester term. |
| 1950 |
Pep Assemblies were held on the Terrace; collections for the Polio Drive were frequent. TB Patch Tests were given; exam fees were 5 cents. |
| 1951 |
Student Council made a portable book case for the Polio Ward of St. Francis Hospital and among other things, tried to obtain a stop light at the corners of Pacific and Independence. The annual talent assembly held in February. |
| 1952 |
Enrollment: 729. The drawing of the Caruthers Street high school was published in the Girardot (622 copies sold @ $3.15 ). Construction of Caruthers Street high school began. Home Basketball games were played at the Arena. The fire escape was completed and students enjoyed the slide. |
| 1953 |
Eileen Gerhardt designed the winning drawing for the entrance column for the Caruthers Street school. Cobb School burned and African-American students began attending Central High School. September 8: the school year opened in the new $2,000,000 building on the site of the Battle of Cape Girardeau. A football game honored Harold Kuehle who had been injured in the Caruthersville game. Savings Stamps were sold. |
| 1954 |
September 8: school opened on Caruthers Street. Basketball: STATE CHAMPIONS. Baseball: STATE CHAMPIONS. School supplies sold in the Co-Op. |
| 1955 |
The auditorium and gym were completed; 513 students rode the bus, 669 Girardots were sold; a school dance was held at Memorial Hall. |
| 1956 |
Drapes and "comfy seats" were added to the auditorium in time for the first-day assembly; Student Activity book cost $2.95. ` |
| 1957 |
Last year for January and May graduations. |
| 1958 |
177 Seniors graduate in May. Start of CHS Boys Cross Country. |
| 1959 |
As they have for decades, clubs met on Monday and Wednesday after school. The Lou Muegge Track and Field construction began. |
| 1960 |
Start of CHS Golf. Central students collected 22,720 cans for the Salvation Army's canned food for Christmas Charity Drive. |
| 1961 |
Car parades for Football and Basketball homecoming games were popular and spirited. |
| 1962 |
Student Council sponsored Safety Week. Baseball: STATE CHAMPIONS. Freshmen undergo hazing. |
| 1963 |
Pep Bands helped create excitement in the Gym during Pep Rallies. Hall monitors kept order during class changes. |
| 1964 |
Student Council sold bread for the March of Dimes. Students could select from 66 different units of credit. The last year for freshmen at the building on Caruthers. Golf: STATE CHAMPIONS. 29 clubs, 7 sports and 15 new teachers are on campus. |
| 1965 |
Central became a 10-12 high school. The teacher-student ratio was 1:18. Driving simulators were added to Drivers' Ed. |
| 1966 |
A new Junior High was built and the Science department was broadened to understand the "space age". Golf: 7th straight district title. |
| 1967 |
The musical "Bye Bye Birdie" was presented on the Central stage by Red Dagger; start of CHS wrestling. Girardot cost: $4.50; Cross country: Conference champions. |
| 1968 |
Juniors made up the largest class with 436 members. Students walked between the junior high and high school for classes. Tennis: 1st in districts; Central students worked in the library, main office, book exchange, as hall monitors, or operated projectors for teachers. |
| 1969 |
Enrollment: 1252. COE (Cooperative Education) continued to play an important role in student career -making choices. Student Council made a movie and the cheerleaders had a carwash. |
| 1970 |
Enrollment: 1301. Afro-American Club added to the existing 17. Computer grade cards were introduced. Vocational Courses and a 6th sending school were added; the English department published an Anthology. "Annie Get Your Gun" involved 120 students. |
| 1971 |
Concert Band, with 120 members, cut a record and toured Europe in a 33-day concert tour under the direction of Bill Ewing (Band) and Mel Gilhaus (Orchestra). The Sophomore Class totaled 456 students. Students took classes at SEMO and earned college credit. Block scheduling experiment began. |
| 1972 |
The Girardot became a summer publication. Halls continued to be decorated for class competition for Football and Basketball homecoming games. CONFERENCE SWEEP: Football, Basketball, Track and Baseball. |
| 1973 |
Enrollment: 1260, 80 faculty members. Finding a parking space was a daily problem for Central students. The Trimester system began; the Tiger Den was closed due to vandalism. The marquee in front of the school was finished and the Tower was transformed into a reading alcove. Start of CHS Volleyball. |
| 1974 |
350 seniors graduated inside Houck. Central included 438 Sophomores and 370 Juniors. Start of the CHS Pom Pon squad . The Tiger Den became a Math Lab with 5 electric calculators. The A-1 plate lunch was raised to 45 cents; one of the typing rooms contained all electric typewriters. When gas prices doubled, students rode the bus or bicycled to school. The Tiger began using newsprint. |
| 1975 |
Combination locks were installed on lockers in an attempt to limit the number of thefts. Sound systems were used for school dances rather than local bands. Girls participated in varsity sports and could receive letters in Volleyball, Tennis ,Track and Golf. Horticulture class, one of 6 in the state, was added. |
| 1976 |
School began at 7:45. A Bond Issue passed which included plans for a new gym, the construction of a Baseball diamond and a parking lot. The trimester system ended. Girls sports added Basketball and female athletes who lettered and their parents were invited to the annual Athletic Banquet. Chamber Choir attended the International Jubilee Festival in Washington, DC.
Afro Club changed to Black Dahlia. 20 units were required for graduation. With the community, a Bicentennial Celebration show was presented on the Central stage. |
| 1977 |
Enrollment: 1217. With the school back on a 2-semester schedule, hours were: 7:45-2:40. Sports at CHS included 8 for boys and 4 for girls. International Thespians Society came to Central to honor Red Dagger members' accomplishments. Both the Senior Prom and the All Night Party were held at the Arena. |
| 1978 |
A Consumer Ed Course was required for graduation. Start of Softball; the Sports Complex was completed. |
| 1979 |
375 graduate. 21 credits were required to graduate. Start of CHS Girls Cross Country. |
| 1980 |
First Blood Drive. Basketball: STATE CHAMPIONS; Raunchy Rooters and Tigerettes keep the fans "fired up". English III was required for all juniors. 15 varsity sports. |
| 1981 |
Student parking lots and open lunches created a litter problem. Teachers selected Courtesy Award winners. |
| 1982 |
STUCO hosted the Missouri Association of Student Council Convention. Graduation was at Houck Stadium. |
| 1983 |
Cable Access Channel used high school students to broadcast news; last year of the girl's Golf program. |
| 1984 |
866 students. A Pride Committee brought changes: a smoking cage, changes to the student parking situation, stricter discipline, and mandatory attendance at pep assemblies. |
| 1985 |
Student Senate organized a SADD chapter (Students Against Driving Drunk). Soccer began a two-year trial period before becoming a varsity sport. CHS was named as one of 8 outstanding schools in Missouri; Sunday sports practices banned. Departmental Student of the Month program began. |
| 1986 |
The band went to the Fiesta Bowl and the Chamber Choir to Washington, D.C. The "Bleacher Crew" encouraged spirit at Pep Assemblies and games. Start of CHS Boys Soccer. |
| 1987 |
With the closing of University High in 1986, former Preps became Tigers. 23 units of credit were required for graduation. Seniors sold magazines to raise money for Prom. |
| 1988 |
133 units of blood were donated in the annual CHS Blood Drive sponsored by STUCO who also brought Computer dating cards and holiday pencils to students . The Tax levy referendum passed; an AIDS policy was adopted and a Girardot poll indicated that 79% of Sophomores, 55% of Juniors and 52% of Seniors currently smoked or recently stopped. |
| 1989 |
Spanish Club hosted a hot pepper eating contest. |
| 1990 |
341 Sophomores, 315 Juniors, and 284 Seniors can choose from 31 clubs and activities. $341,000.00 in renovations were made to the high school including the addition of an elevator. |
| 1991 |
August 26: First earthquake drill and the ground shook! School was dismissed December 3 and 4 due to the predicted "big one". Boys and Girls Swimming were added to the Varsity Sports options. The Smoking Cage was eliminated and a No Smoking Policy on school grounds was adopted. STUCO Blood Drive set a state record with 369 units collected. "The Diary of Anne Frank" was performed in the round and the Band and Choir went to Washington, D.C. Knowledge Master Open: 1st in State; 13th in Nation. |
| 1992 |
"Restore the Roar" parade was sponsored by Booster Club; STUCO hosted the Missouri Association of Student Council Convention and a video sound system was added to Prom. The library became computerized and Scholar Bowl was a State-level competition. |
| 1993 |
269 graduate; "Anything Goes Games" continued to be popular. The Auditorium was renovated; Mock Weddings were held and it was the year of "The Great Flood of 1993". |
| 1994 |
Baseball: STATE CHAMPIONS. First year for the POI (Point of Impact) Concert. |
| 1995 |
Cheerleaders sponsored the Fall Homecoming Dance and Letterman's Club the Winter Homecoming Dance. The Fall Homecoming Parade, the Cape-Jackson football game rivalry, and hall decorating contests remained our traditions. |
| 1996 |
Renaissance came to CHS and brought Academic Assemblies, A Tribute to Veterans, and the People's Choice Award. Team Spirit sponsored a docu-drama for Drug Awareness Week; start of CHS Girls Soccer. |
| 1997 |
"See You at the Pole" was a success; Channel 1 News was part of the school day. SAGE (Students Aspire to Guard the Environment) started. |
| 1998 |
POI and Pops were popular venues for musicians. The Ultimate Final, Principal's Breakfasts, and a School Resource Officer came to the Central campus. |
| 1999 |
6 AP classes were offered; popcorn and cappuccino were available for purchasing and enjoying in the library. |
| 2000 |
A Salsa Band, the Madrigal Feaste, Concert and Symphonic Wind Band, Orchestra, Pit Orchestra, Marching Band contests and Choirs gave musicians an opportunity to perform. Graduation at the Show Me Center featured students in black graduation gowns with orange stoles and balloons and streamers dropped as their mortar boards were tossed into the air. |
| 2001 |
294 graduate. The Ground Breaking for the new high school building on South Silver Springs Road was held on November 20. The C-Span Bus came to CHS and the "Roller Coaster" was a staple for Jungle Fever. |
| 2002 |
277 Seniors. The last game at Tiger Field House was February 8; students and faculty said farewell to 205 Caruthers. Missouri Association of Student Council Convention was held on campus. The Pom Pon Squad became the Tiger Dancers. |
| 2003 |
We unloaded trailers and moved into an air conditioned building with many changes: dances were held in the Commons, parking spots were assigned with student decals prominently displayed, lunches were closed, study halls were no longer an option, and freshmen returned to the high school building. CTC trained students for careers in the medical profession. Professional Learning Community model adopted. |
| 2004 |
Softball, Cross-Country, and Soccer moved to the new campus, a 21st Century Learning Communities Grant was awarded, and Big Man on Campus was a popular fund-raising event. The Missouri Association of Student Council Convention returned to our campus. |
| 2005 |
The Marching Band played in the Governor's Inaugural Parade in Jefferson City. |
| 2006 |
1292 students could choose to study French, German or Spanish. Locker signs and spirit days were part of life at Cape Central High School as were Film and Lit Club, FBLA, Tri-M and The Literate. |
| 2007 |
Students were recognized in honor societies: Beta Club, Thespians, National Technical Honor Society and National Honor Society. |
| 2008 |
1311 students on campus. The Marching Band placed FIRST in all contests, CAP exams finished the semester's course work. |
| 2009 |
Students continued to be invited to the Missouri Scholars Academy and Fine Arts Academy, "rode" the Roller Coaster at games, submitted original work to the Central Light, helped or participated in Special Olympics, and entered art contests. Black Student Union and Islam, Others and You are new clubs. |
| 2010 |
Orientation, held on 3 consecutive days in early-August helped parents and students become acclimated to the year ahead. The BUSeum (World War II POW story) came to campus, NHS hosted a Senior citizen's Dance, the Softball and Volleyball teams sponsored PINK OUT Games in support of Breast Cancer Awareness, and "Mark Twain" visited the Central Library. Voters passed a bond issue to benefit not only Cape Central but every building in the district. |
|
2011
|
Additional classrooms, a Performing Arts Center, and a Stadium are in our future thanks to voters. The publications staff won the SEMSPA Sweepstakes award again this year. 24 credits are necessary for graduation: Communication Arts 4, Social Studies 3, Mathematics 3, Science 3, Fine Arts 1, Practical Arts 1, Physical Education 2, Health .5, Finance .5 and Electives 6. |
| 2012 |
Our CENTENNIAL YEAR! |