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Principal Recalls Life At Covington High As It Was During 1930's
December 5, 1974
Miss Eleanor Rayne, a former principal at old Lyon High, now lives in Denton, Texas near Dallas. Her first response upon hearing that CHS had been destroyed by fire was gratitude for the fact that no one had been injured in the six hour blaze.
She expressed concern about the majestic oak trees standing in front of the school, hoping that they had not been harmed. She only wished that she could have been there to talk with those who were grieved by the loss, "to express the sorrow one feels in change and catastrophe."
Her most vivid memory of the school was the day she lighted the gas burner of the heating system when the janitor was ill. She also recalled the day the school was accepted by the secondary association of schools for a special study.
Miss Rayne first came to CHS as a teacher in 1924, and served as principal from 1925 to 1937.
She termed herself a "disciplinarian", saying that there was order in the school
during her principalship, and that it was a beehive of activity. On school activities, she said, "we were into everything. We participated! Those who wanted to learn were encouraged and honored."
She also told what the town of Covington was like while she was at Covington High. "The town was a tightly-knit unit, well operated br those who had been there many years. They were fine, industrious people who wanted to keep the streets narrow so there wouldn't be too much traffic or change. I had no trouble at all," she explained.
She said that all of the students she taught were "memorable," and although the phrase may sound trite, she added that her affection for them was sincere, basic to her philosophy.
The Farmer asked what was the student attitude towards the school during her
service here and if there was any vandalism. Miss Rayne replied that the nearest thing to grafitti she had was writing in the boy's rest rooms, and sometimes in the girls' rest rooms. "I policed the place rather well," she added.
Miss Rayne was principal during the time many of Covington's community leaders today went to high school. Her comments on the school are reminiscent of many residents who remember the school as was many years ago.
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