HISTORY OF ZEPHYRHILLS HIGH SCHOOL

Highlights of 1916

Recalling Past Times…, Zephyrhills News, July 1, 1976 by Jaynell LeHeup

A very enjoyable and successful Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends Reunion was held Sunday, June 27, 1976….

James Kenyon, Class of 1916, Tampa, shared a 1916 issue of “The Zephyr,” Zephyrhills School Newspaper of the era and memories of the championship ZHS basketball team of 1916. Alumni of the 1940’s and 1950’s remarked that they too remembered the outdoor basketball courts at ZHS, but not always championship teams!

School Notes, Zephyrhills Colonist, November 21, 1918

School opened Monday, November 11 but on account of the peace celebration closed at noon.

Wednesday afternoon the Dade City basket ball team played our team here in a hard fought game. The score by quarters was: First quarter, Dade City-0 and ZHS-0; second quarter, Dade City—6 and ZHS—6; third quarter, Dade City—2 and ZHS—2; and fourth quarter, Dade City—4 and ZHS—0. The final score was 12 to 8 in favor of Dade City. Friday our boys went to Dade City and were defeated. The score being 22 to 12.

The bimonthly exams start Tuesday morning. Last Thursday afternoon, Dr. Weaver, Mr. Zeigler and Mrs. Lock visited our school in the interest of the U.W.W. campaign.

School Notes, Zephyrhills Colonist, December 12, 1918

Program of the Athenian Literary Society for December 20, 1918

Vocal Duet—Mildred Ticknor and Hazel Wright

Reading—Ethel Wallace

Piano Solo—Miss Tulane, teacher

Debate—Kenneth Storms and Edwin Stebbins verses Willie Stebbins and Gerald Briggs

School Notes—Helen Parker, Grace Cripe, and Dorothy Ticknor

Paper—Frank Stebbins

Impromptu Talks—Charles Campbell, Mr. Roberts

Chart by Freshmen

Song—“Keep the Home Fires Burning” by the audience.

Zephyrhills Wins, Zephyrhills Colonist, December 19, 1918

Last Saturday our boys went to Inverness and won the game of basket ball 29 to 14. Our boys showed better team work and that they had more practice than the Inverness boys. The Inverness boys had lost several of their best players, but the game was well played. While the boys were waiting for the game, at the invitation of Professor Bryant, they went to see the Girls Canning Club exhibit which was unusually good. The Citrus County Girls surely deserve credit for their fine work. The boys wish to thank those who contributed toward the expenses of the team and are especially grateful to Mr. Penry for his help not only at the present time but also for past help.

ZHS Alumni Boost Stadium Fund, Zephyrhills News, June 9, 1978

A large, enthusiastic crowd of home-towners, out-of-towners, and guests picnicked at the 9th annual reunion of the ZHS Alumni and Friends….gathering before noon at the Zephyr Park…James Kenyon of Clearwater, Class of 1916, remembered that he was captain of the undefeated boy’s basketball team and they he was also the only boy in his class of five. He further commented that Zephyrhills has always been known for its very pretty girls.

ZHS Alumni Set 6th Reunion…Last Graduates left in 1926, Zephyrhills News, May 29, 1975

A covered dish dinner at the new community center in Zephyr Park is planned June 29 when ZHS Alumni Association holds its annual reunion…..Other early graduates who attended last year’s reunion were Nannie Knight Wagner and James Kenyon, Class of 1916.  

10th Annual Alumni and Friends Biggest and Best Ever, Zephyrhills News, June 26, 1979 by Jaynell LeHeup

Hopes for the biggest and best became a reality Sunday for the 10th annual Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends Reunion.

Mr. Kenyon, Class of 1916, remembered that in his class of 1916 he was the only boy with four pretty girl classmates. Also that he was the captain of the boys basketball team which was undefeated his senior year. Recently married, he was accompanied by his new wife.

Happy Memories Abound As ZHS Alumni Enjoy Reunion, Zephyrhills News, July 2, 1981

by Jaynell LeHeup

The two oldest graduates of Zephyrhills High School attending the Reunion Sunday were Don Storms, a member of the first class ever to graduate from ZHS, 1914 and James Kenyon, Class of 1916. There were ten in Storms class and four (the other three were girls) in Kenyon’s class.