Primero Junior High and High School
1915-1917 The beginning
In March of 1917, several boards of education in the Trinidad District met and decided upon the addition of higher grades such as ninth and tenth grade in high school, to ensure the students could carry on from eighth grade. The importance the community placed on education was immense a, for most young men could not work in the mines legally until the age of sixteen, and it was a couple of years before this meeting. Around 1915 Primero added a junior high school that taught up to eleventh grade. The high school was added a short time later for the growing number of students who were reaching towards secondary quality grades, education, and an opportunity for a future in higher education.
1918-1919
High School students of Primero gave entertainment to the community at the club house, at the end of the school year. Teachers of the school district were the guests of honor. Industrial Bulletin, 1918-1919.
High School students of Primero, 1921
1920 Primero High School doing well, and expanding
The Industrial Bulletin mentions a successful year at Primero high school in 1920. Known as the Primero-Segundo-Frederick high school, the students were properly equipped with manual training located in the basement for boys, and domestic skills are expanding for the girls.
The Industrial Bulletin makes note of the first issued high school paper called, “The live wire”, in 1920.
March 1920, the Industrial Bulletin makes note of two teachers, Miss Cameron, and Mrs. Flowers have entertained the naturalization class, as known as night school. Men and women attended, and there was a high number of men enrolled, the count of men being 23. The classes were held every Tuesday and Friday night at Primero high school, and subjects such as mathematics, English, and civics.
A mine officials class meets every Monday and Saturday night at Primero high school. The class is conducted by W.E. Banks, the acting fire boss. The Industrial Bulletin, 1920.
1921 First High School Graduates of Primero High School
The Industrial Bulletin posts first high school class to finish four years at Primero high school was June 9, 1921. Commencement was in the auditorium of the clubhouse. Superintendent Stutsman gave a speech in honor of the special day. The four graduates were Charlotte Ellison, Marjorie Givens, Donald Haske, and Letha Mathews. by the mid nineteen-teens, the high school and middle school of Primero were started and begin to flourish. By 1921, publications recognized the developments of the Primero high school, by pointing out unique courses offered to the high school students sucha as practical work stations designated for boys, and domestic sciences favorable to girls.Both the high school and the junior high school of Primero were used by the kids from Primero, Segundo, and Frederick.
1922 Second year ever, for Primero High School Graduates
In 1922, the Industrial Bulletin mentions a class of five graduate from Primero high school. The graduating class put on a play called, “A box of monkeys”. The Seniors gave all proceeds, to Primero high school. Professor J.F. Keating of Pueblo gave the commencement speech address. The Services were held at the Y.M.C.A. building, and a big crowd of people witnessed the event.
The week prior to graduation, there was a Primero high school dance that was held on the last week of school, and a large crowd attended the dance as well. Music was provided by the Dells orchestra from Pueblo, Industrial Bulletin, 1922.
Students at Primero high school were expected to finish a full four year term at the high school. The school's motto was, "Pluck", according to the Pinon Year Book.
Freshmen Experience: Assemblies, rallies, and social events. Have to "do by the other classes".
Sophomore Experience: Harder study, not as bothered by the other classes, more important, and dance at the end of the school year.
Junior Experience: Won entire class meet. Excelled in most things. Held a party.
Senior Experience: In 1926, Fourteen are in the Senior class. This is the largest graduating class thus far.
*All mentioned in the Pinon Year Book of 1926.
Junior High School students of Primero, 1921.
Junior High School students of Primero, 1921.
1923 Junior High News
According to the Industrial Bulletin, 1923, Primero had gained a three year middle school. Originally, there was only going to be two grades added to the middle school, but the board of education voted to add another year to the middle school after all. Due to the change, "all the teachers have been re-engaged". There was a junior high built prior to 1923, but the official middle school of Primero took over with only three grades 6-8, as oppose to the three grades, in addition to ninth, tenth, and eleventh (which was how the junior high school ran until the high school was built, before 1923 as well).
1926 The Primero High School Experience and Athletics
Even though Athletics was not officiated in Primero until 1924, Primero Junior and Senior classmen were a part of Country Track and a special field day, mentioned in the Pinon Year Book.
May 1923, the first meet held, Primero took first place, and a pennant was given to the school. Primero students won the neet well, with the Pinon stating, "captured this trophy with a wide margin of points to spare."
Senior Class Will
We, the Seniors of nineteen hundred twenty-six, of Primero High School, State of Colorado. Being of sound mind. Do hereby declare this to be the last and only will of the Class.
Knowing that our time in this school is short and our departure to new fields is near at hand, we do hereby will bequeath our possessions as follows:
To the Board of Education of District sixty-one we give our thanks for all the educational opportunities they have provided.
To the faculty we leave peace of mind forever. May no Senior class ever disturb it.
To the Junior class we leave our dignity, our position and our skill in "getting by".
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