|
|
|
If you have information on Lyeffion School that you would like to share please email it to us
|
History of the Lyeffion School
First published in The Evergreen Courant, Nov. 22, 1951 ~ Reprinted 2005
The name “Lyeffion” is derived from the names of three schools: Effie, Holly Grove, and Mount Zion.
The first consolidated school district in Conecuh County was the one composed by the Effie, Holly Grove and Mount Zion communities which had, in a special election in June 1919, agreed to consolidate in order to support a proposed Junior High School, the first school of its’ type to be instituted in Conecuh County. A mass meeting of interested citizens was held at the Mount Zion School in July 1919, at which time the proposed school was considered. By February 1920, the school was well under way. Mrs. Mamie W. Taylor (Mrs. J. R.) was the first principal. The school provided junior high work for the pupils from the Effie, Holly Grove, and Mount Zion communities, as well as from the Beasley and Stinson schools. The school was known simply as Junior High and its’ work was outstanding. It became the pattern for other junior high schools as they were established in other centers in the county. Supt. Marvin A. Hanks, former principal of Repton School, was active in the fight for further consolidation in Conecuh Schools. Mr. A.E. Johnson, Sr., and Mr. W.E. Cook were leaders in the movement to establish Lyeffion School.
As the excellent quality of the work done at Junior High evidenced itself, the interested local school communities of Effie, Holly Grove, Mount Zion, Beasley and Stinson began to consider the desirability of a consolidated Elementary-Junior-Senior School instead of the Junior High which they then had. This consideration lead to action. By September 1928, a substantial nine-room frame building had been built. It contained an auditorium, a library, and an office for the principal as well as the nine class rooms. One of the rooks was equipped for vocational home economics. The old Junior High building was to be used to house the vocational agricultural classed.
The new school opened in September 1928 with an enrollment of over 200 pupils. Judge T. Dykes from Clio, Alabama, was the first principal.
Supt. Hanks and Mrs. Mamie W. Taylor chose the name for this school, which by 1930 was by far the largest single school in Conecuh County. It represented a considerably enlarged consolidated district having embraces as well as the original schools of Effie, Holly Grove, Mount Zion, Beasley and Stinson schools, those of the school communities of Skinnerton, Midway, Booker and Brooks.
About the time Lyeffion School was established, a school built on a similar plan was established between Mount Zion and Burnt Corn. This school became known as Fair-Nel-Son, its’ name being derived from the names of several of the schools which were consolidated there. These were the Fairfield, Purnell and Roberson Schools. In recent years, Fair-Nel-Son and Burnt Corn were consolidated with Lyeffion at Lyeffion.
Today, (1951), Lyeffion School has a large and well-equipped plant. The High School building has been enlarged. Quarters for a department of vocational Home Economics were built in the building as well as two additional classrooms. A Separate building houses the Vocational Agriculture department and School Store. In addition to the regular academic program offered, students may take commercial and vocational training. A busy typing room is an important center at the school. F.H.A. clubs are parts of the school program, as are 4-H clubs for the younger pupils. A chapter of the National Beta Club and one of Future Nurses of America are organized at Lyeffion. Those pupils who are musically inclined may participate in the Glee Club and may take music lessons. The school paper, published semi-monthly, is titled “Yellow Jackets Buzzin’s” and contains items of school interest. The Senior Class publishes a school annual which is titled, “Lyeffion Hi Times”. Basketball, football and softball teams are fielded by the school. Physical education work is offered in addition to the sports listed. A movie projector is a source of much instruction as well as entertainment. Film Strip machines are available at the school, as are record players with amplifiers to be used with a study of music appreciation.
The Elementary School building contains six classrooms and the School Lunch Room where hot meals are served cafeteria-style for those pupils who wish hot lunches at the mid-day meal. A well-balanced elementary program is offered.
The patrons and pupils of the school are interested in its’ work. They are anxious to see Lyeffion continue to grow and prosper. A combined gymnasium-auditorium is greatly needed at the present time.
Four years ago, the old heaters which burned wood and coal were replaced by gas heaters with thermostat control in each room.
A number of interesting highlights in the story of education in Conecuh County center around the Lyeffion School Community. Among them are these: The first basketball team ever organized in Conecuh County was organized at the Effie School in 1916. Mrs. J. R. Taylor was the principal. When Effie School was consolidated to help form Junior High, basketball went along and the first county basketball tournament ever held in Conecuh County was held at the old Junior High School. A number of middle-aged citizens in the county will doubtless remember having played in those tournaments and their children are today interested participators in this sport. The first School Improvement Association in Conecuh County as well as the first Superior School in Conecuh County were to be found in the China Community wherein was located the Holly Grove School. It was in 1905 that the first School Improvement Association (the fore-runner of the present P.T.A.) was organized in this district. The first officers were Mrs. J. E. Witherington, Mrs. Margaret Peagler, Mrs. C.E. Mills, Miss Fannie Ellis and Mrs. J.S. Johnson. It is thought probable that this was the first School Improvement Association in the State of Alabama.
Lyeffion is proud of its’ school, it is proud of its’ people and it looks forward with confidence to the coming years wherein it expects to grow and to continue to prosper and to make its’ contribution toward a greater Conecuh County, of which more than 100 square miles lie in the Lyeffion School Community.
Submitted by Sherry Johnston