Catholic High School for Boys (Little Rock)

Catholic High School for Boys is a private Roman Catholic high school located in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. It is an all-male institution, and has an all-female sister school, Mount St. Mary's Academy.

History

Catholic High was founded in 1930, although its history can be traced back to 1908. At that time Bishop John B. Morris purchased land that originally belonged to the Arkansas Military Academy, rechristening it Little Rock College in September 1908. The school closed in 1917 during World War I, and the buildings were used alternately as an orphanage, by the U.S. Army, and as a seminary. The seminary moved in 1920 and the high school department, Morris Prep, existed until 1930. In 1930 the seminary reasimmilated the buildings purchased by Bishop Morris, and Morris Prep became Catholic High School.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1959 construction began for a new $1.25 million school building on a 26 acre (105,000 m²) tract of land located west of downtown Little Rock on what was then Lee Avenue. Catholic High still resides in this building, although expansions have been built and the name of the street has changed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The most influential figure in the history of Catholic High is undoubtedly Father George Tribou, the late principal who oversaw the school for forty-one years until his death in February 2001. He is seen as responsible for building Catholic High's reputation as the premier high school in the state of Arkansas.

Related Topics:
George Tribou - February - 2001 - Arkansas

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

March on War Memorial

In 1996 the owners of War Memorial Stadium, the auxiliary site for Arkansas Razorbacks home football games and traditional site of Catholic High home football games, increased the cost of rent by 110% and dropped two of the Catholic High home games. In response, Fr. Tribou led the student body and others in a march to the nearby stadium. The peaceful protest led to the abandonment of the rent increase and game changes, and Catholic High continues to call War Memorial its home field.

Related Topics:
War Memorial Stadium - Arkansas Razorbacks - Football - Fr. Tribou

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

MCJROTC Unit

Catholic High is home to a Marine Corps JROTC unit steeped in tradition. It was founded in 1967 as one of the nation's first Junior ROTC programs, at a time when military organizations were often spurned. It flourished immediately and cadets earned the nickname "Sid's Kids," after the man responsible for the program's founding, retired Major General, former Arkansas Governor, and unit Senior Military Instructor Sid McMath. Shortly after their successful start, students were treated to a visit by Bob Hope in 1969. Since then the battalion-sized unit has continued to participate in drill competitions and color guards, including color guards held for visiting politicians such as Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Related Topics:
Marine Corps - JROTC - 1967 - Sid McMath - Bob Hope - Battalion - Bill Clinton - George W. Bush

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~