Book marking Central High School centennial to be released Friday

Throughout the 2011-2012 school year, current and former students and staff of Cape Girardeau Central High School will celebrate the school's centennial anniversary. There will be many ceremonies, recognitions and reunions. New memories will be made.

Julia Howes Jorgensen remembers many special moments at the school. As the librarian and a third-generation alumna, she has created a commemoration of the school's 100-year history in a way she knows well: by book.

"Cape Central High School Centennial, 1912-2012: 100 Years of Teaching, Learning, Caring!" will be released Friday during a homecoming reception at the high school library.

Jorgensen spent 13 months compiling the book from photographs, letters, school and community newspapers, yearbooks and information from other alumni, some of whom contributed to the book by writing about their own memories of the school.

The book includes sections on the history of the high school buildings, educators, academics, community, the arts, athletics and student life. Also included are a list of current faculty, a timeline of varsity sports and spirit clubs, a list of athletic honors, a historical timeline of the district and "Tiger Heroes," a list of the high school's alumni who were killed in military service.

Jorgensen said she believes people will especially appreciate the community section of the book, because when they see it they will reflect on their memories there as well.

"To me it was one of the more important sections to include, because the community has passed three bond issues over the years to improve the schools," she said. "That's remarkable. This community and its businesses have always been very supportive of the school, even during times like the Great Depression and the heights of wars."

Jorgensen took many of the more recent photos included in the book herself. The book was proofed by high school principal Dr. Mike Cowan, who made comments and suggestions. A thousand copies are available, and the cost is $50.

The reception at 5 p.m. Friday inside the library will include music from high school orchestra members and introductions of past, present and future students.

Representing the past will be the children of Ethel Masterson, one of the four graduates of the first high school class of 1912. The present will be represented by the 2012 senior class officers. The future will be represented by a first-grade student from each of the district's elementary schools who will be in the class of 2023.

Another event Friday will observe the history of the school by using current school athletes, current and former staff and alumni to run a football past the former high school buildings out to the new stadium before the start of the homecoming football game.

Jorgensen organized the event, and said she wanted to include people who had strong ties to the high school. One family she called was the Shivelbines.

Scott Shivelbine and his family go back several generations through the Cape Girardeau school system. His grandfather, William A. Shivelbine, was the band director at the high school in the 1930s and 1940s, wrote the school song and was active in the school and the community throughout his life. Scott Shivelbine, his father, L.J. "Freck" Shivelbine, and other family are also alumni.

The Shivelbines are also related to Louis J. Schultz, a longtime district administrator for whom the former school building on Pacific Street is named. The family will be participating by carrying the ball near Schultz school.

"We're proud of the great heritage of the school system and the high school in Cape Girardeau, and we're happy to participate," Scott Shivelbine said. "We feel like it's a nice thing to be asked to do."

The running of the football will begin at 5 p.m. Friday from the junior high school on Caruthers Avenue and follow a route to the former location of the West Broadway school. The route will then continue to the former Schultz school and on to Tiger Stadium.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

1000 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO