A Closer Look Into Princeton High School’s History.
Written by: Bella Bauer, Konner Cain, Marissa Cruse, Karter Brown, and Halliegh Weiler
The history of Princeton High School is not one to forget. Just 100 years ago the original structure of PHS burnt down in a horrific fire. In 1924 to 1926 there was a two year period where students would have to attend classes at the surrounding churches.Then in 1926 the school reopened and had various additions added on to it. As you walk around Princeton High School the new additions become obvious.
Mr. Brody Anderson took a few of us students on a tour and explained in depth the history of our school. Through every classroom, hallway, and staircase, there was a story to be told. As we made our way through the now English hallway, he told us about how when the school first reopened, that hallway didn’t even exist. When we got to the foreign language hallway he had educated us that there was actually a hidden hallway that now leads to the Women’s locker room.
When Mr. Anderson took us through the hallways, he said that you can actually tell where the original building from 1926 ends and the new additions from 2005 start. Making our way to the basement of PHS we learned astonishing history. Where we now have our weight room, they had used it as an art room. This had made perfect sense to the 1926 students and staff to have the musical arts classroom right across the hall from the art room.
When we went toward the elevator there was this door that looked like a closet.
When we opened the door it was a staircase that led to a brick wall. When Mr. Anderson took us back upstairs where we walked past the trophy case and saw room number 119 next to it. The new trophy case used to be part of the entrance to the computer labs. All rooms around that wall had doors connecting the classrooms in case of a fire. After he walked us back up to the third floor, Mr Anderson had us look towards the football field and told us that the remains of the original high school were buried 12 feet under where the current football field is now. After taking this tour with Mr. Anderson, we now catch ourselves noticing the little differences in the hallways.
Interview with Our Principal
While interviewing our principal, Ms. Bosnich, she shed light on her values as the new principal of Princeton High School. She stated that her biggest values at PHS are the students and staff as well as making the school a great place to be. She believes that PHS should be a safe place for everyone who walks through the doors. Ms. Bosnich says that she wants to be present and let students, staff, and community feel supported and welcomed while making it enjoyable for students to learn. When she was a kid her favorite principal was Mr. Buttons; he always would come into classrooms and join in on games which made the students feel like he cared. This made our principal want to pursue a career in education.
Ms. Bosnich says that before she chose her career at Princeton high school she had seen how the staff members were happy and supported by the administration and that is the reason she is happy to be here. She says working here the last 9 years, no matter if it was as a disciplinary staff member, special education teacher, or the principal, she has always felt happy and respected. During her early years of teaching she knew she would hope to become a principal at some point but when the opportunity came, she knew Princeton was the right place for her.