The following is from "The Shew-Box" of Onondaga Valley Academy Syracuse dated May 23, 1938. The 4-page paper was touted as the "Only High School Weekly Printed In Central New York". The first article, on the front page, was written by my father, Francis WELCH, who graduated from OVA the following month. I don't have any further information on anyone else listed. None of the other articles is attributed. The paper also has numerous photos credited to the Post-Standard and the Syracuse Herald. School Reopens on Changed Schedule After Fire Ruins Portion of Building ---------------- Junior High Students Put on Half Time Due to Destruction of Class Rooms ---------------- "Martial Law" Goes Into Effect ---------------- by Francis WELCH Over 800 students of this school are returning to-day to classes in a fire-gutted school building after an unexpected two-day vacation due to the burning of the Academy last Wednesday afternoon. Many Valley students who had left the school three hours earlier as well as alumni, friends and strangers were on hand late Wednesday to see the structure go up in flames which completely ruined rooms 37 and 38 and the auditorium and gymnasium. Many other rooms were damaged by water. Cause of the fire is believed to be the ignition of straw insulation on the north side between the school and the new addition by a blow torch being used by men at work on the new wing. Principal E. Stewart POWLESLAND, who was out-of-town at the time of the blaze, announced Friday that a new schedule would be in effect today, the seventh and eighth grades going on half time while all other schedules will also be altered. The complete schedule appears on page four. Vice-Principal Charles V. HARTSON, assisted by several Valley residents, saved office records and other valuable documents from the fire. The history of the school dates back to 1812 when the first edifice was built on Academy Green. This structure added to until it burned to the ground in April 1919. Tre [sic] present building was opened in January, 1922. Mr. PARKS, the present custodian, was employed in the old school as were five of the present teachers, Miss LANGHAM, Miss FISHER, Miss SHEW, Mrs. DAILEY, and Miss MOSHER. Mr. POWLESLAND has announced that a strict system of guarding will be in effect until the end of the term for the protection of students. Miss LANGHAM, whose home room suffered the greatest damage, lost the manuscript of a book she had just written. Several library and text books were lost in her room and Miss ANDREWS'. [Page two] UNDYING EMBERS By An Observer It was very easy to identify a senior last Wednesday when dear O.V.A. almost 'went with the fire' because they looked so pathetic. "Ace" PERRY and "Gumpy" CLARK, who, with the rest of the baseball team were in the shower rooms at the time of the blaze, helped the firemen with the extinguishers and assisted Mr. HARTSON, Mr. SOUTHWORTH, Mr. Reuben JEFFERY, Sr., Mr. Alex BROWN, Mr. NEWTON, and "Dewey" Van Gorden in saving the records and other valuable objects. One of the first things to be saved was the picture of the Old Academy, next were the student records and the trophies saved by Mr. SOUTHWORTH. On returning home from Cornell and learning of the fire "Bud" DICKINSON exclaimed "Gee. Am I glad I had my lucky hat with me". He was referring to his white hat which he so frequently wears. "Franny" RETZBACK has an exclusive, that he'll be very glad to tell you about. How about it, Fran? An army of workmen descended on the school at 5:00 o'clock Friday morning. School, insurance, and construction "big shots" were everywhere in evidence. Reconstruction was progressing fast enough by ten to reassure us of school to-day. The water cascade down the front steps would have made a beautiful picture, but no one was in front of the school to get that unusual picture. [Page four] NEWS BRIEFS Among the valuable objects saved from the fire was an antique vase belonging to Miss HORLE which Mr. HARTSON brought out of her room. Miss CLARK lost over $200 worth of physical education books. Due to the fire, the Student Council election has been postponed until next week. Candidates for president are Harold SMITH and Warren MCKIBBEN. Lyman DICKINSON and Nancy KETCHAM were elected King and Queen of the Senior Class at the Junior-Senior Dance Friday night. The baseball team will play North at Meachem Field this afternoon. The lacrosse team beat the Cornell Frosh, 17-5, last Wednesday. Mr. POWLESLAND -- "It burned at the best possible place, although not at the best possible time. The burned section would have been torn out this summer anyway."