A house RESOLUTION

 

to Recognize and honor Fairfield High School in Winnsboro and to celebrate the school's extraordinary milestone of its centennial anniversary with the alumni, students, teachers, and administrators.

 

Whereas, in 1924, Fairfield County Training School first opened its doors as an all-black high school in Winnsboro with grades one through nine. A sound core curriculum included English and mathematics, as well as Latin. In 1936, tenth grade was added and eleventh grade a year later, making the school a certified high school.  At that time, the State of South Carolina required eleven years of schooling and a total of sixteen units for a student to be qualified for a high school diploma; and

 

Whereas, shop courses were added to the curriculum in 1930, as well as home economics and French. Parents and teachers held fundraisers to support the school, including the presentation of a program by the Fisk University choir and the sale of hot dogs. Forty-four students graduated in 1942, fifteen of whom continued their education by attending college.  The Class of 1949 was the first to graduate from the twelfth grade, and the first yearbook, The Torch, was published in the 1948-1949 school year; and

 

Whereas, in the 1950s, typing, shorthand, bookkeeping, accounting, and chemistry also were added to the curriculum.  The band was organized around 1950 with horns and drums the first instruments. A glee club was organized, and public speaking boasted oratorical contests held each year. New Homemakers, 4-H Clubs, girls basketball, boys basketball, football, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, cheerleaders, and majorettes were organized as clubs, sports playing a large role at the school even before the gym was built; and

 

Whereas, Fairfield High's mascot was the Tiger, and the school colors were blue and gold. When the gymnasium/auditorium was built, it was utilized for basketball, physical education classes, assemblies, proms, and other programs to add to the high school experience. By 1949, Fairfield housed only grades seven through twelve and was no longer a union school. Students came from Gordon, Geiger, Woodard, and Mitford elementary schools after completing sixth grade. A school song was written in the late 1950s and in 1963, the school's name officially changed to Fairfield High School; and

 

Whereas, in 1970 the all-black Fairfield High School merged with Winnsboro High School to form one large integrated high school in the Winnsboro area. The Class of 1975 was officially the last class to walk the halls of "Old Fairfield" which continued to be used for various classes with grade-level students bussed there from Winnsboro High. Mr. E. K. McLendon, principal of Fairfield High, was named principal for the merged Winnsboro High School, a position he served in for several more years; and

 

Whereas, of the four buildings that made up Fairfield High School, only two remain standing today. In 2010, the Fairfield High School Alumni Association, Inc., purchased the high school building for five dollars from Fairfield County School District, and the floors can be heard to squeak when they are walked on. The Alumni Association now owns the deed and title to the building, which stipulates that the alumni have three years to improve, restore, and maintain the property as originally intended; and

 

Whereas, renovations have been completed in the upstairs classrooms, a new roof added, some ceiling tiles and windows replaced, a security system installed, restrooms remodeled, one room downstairs transformed into a conference room, and heating and air conditioning units installed in the conference room, cafeteria, and kitchen. The cafeteria is being remodeled, but much more renovation work is still needed. The Alumni Association has agreed it would be in the best interest of all for the association to return the building to the district if no more improvements are made; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives wishes friends of Fairfield High well as they seek to restore, preserve, and maintain this historical treasure of the Palmetto State. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Fairfield High School in Winnsboro and celebrate the school's extraordinary milestone of its centennial anniversary with the alumni, students, teachers, and administrators.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Fairfield High School Alumni Association.

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