Champ Cooper Junior High School History

FAQ

 (Frequently Asked Questions)

1)     How did Champ Cooper Junior High School get its name?

Champ Cooper Junior High School evolved as a dream of a man, Champion Bailey Cooper (1879-1931).  Mr. Cooper, known as Champ, worked toward this goal for many years prior to the beginning of the school.  He had dedicated a large portion of his life to better education and specifically to the establishment of Champ Cooper Junior High School.  It was his wish to have a high school in the Eighth Ward of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.  Champion Cooper served two full terms as a member of the Tangipahoa Parish School Board and a portion of the third.  On November 3, 1931, Mr. Cooper died following a brief illness.  During the same month, and in honor of Champion B. Cooper, the Tangipahoa Parish School Board named this school the Champ Cooper Junior High School.

2)     When did Champ Cooper Junior High open?

  Champ Cooper Junior High opened in late September, 1931.

3)     From whom was the property for the school purchased ?

Property was acquired from Mrs. Georgiana H. Bardwell Crosby (4 acres) and Eugene E. Bardwell (1.37 acres).

4)     What did the original building include?

 The original school building housed eight classrooms, an auditorium, which also served as a gym, a library, a teacher’s lounge, and a principal’s office.  It was equipped with battery lights and indoor bathrooms which were made possible with the use of a flow well. The school includes grades first through ninth.

5)     What was the cost to build and equip Champ Cooper Junior High School?

On April 6, 1931 a $25,000 bond issue was overwhelmingly approved.  The Eighth Ward always saw a need for better education and never turned down a bond issue.

6)     What was the attendance at Champ Cooper Junior High School?  

Opening attendance in 1931 was approximately 200 students and six teachers.  From there the attendance was as followed:

1940       244 students

1956       293 students  

1969        329 students

     1978       409 students

     1983       534  students

     2006       724 students

7)  Who were the first teachers at Champ Cooper Junior High School?

The six teachers were Duncan Hart, who also served as principal, E.D. Dykes, Miss Dorothy Smith, Miss Lilah Bankston, Miss Ardys Starkey, and Miss Hattie Ochsner

8)  What was the first ceremony held at Champ Cooper Junior High School?

A Bible and American Flag Presentation that took place on December 6, 1931.

9)  When was the school officially dedicated?

June 2, 1932

10)  When was the first commencement exercise and who were the students?

The first commencement exercise was held on June 22, 1932.  The class was composed of seven students:  Irene Carney, Catherine “Kitty” Cooper, Allen Holmes, Bernice Raiford, Magdalena Raiford, Mercedes Ochsner, and Robert Ochsner.  Mr. C. C. Pittman awarded the diplomas.

11)Were there any obstacles during the beginning years of the school?

Since the school had been established during the Great Depression within the United States, many difficulties faced Champ Cooper Junior High School.  In July of 1932 it was recommended by the school board that all salaries be cut by 10% for the 1932-33 school session. On January 8, 1933, due to financial conditions, the school term was cut one month.  On March 13, 1934, a committee was organized to determine whether or not to cut the school term to seven months or apply for Federal Emergency Relief Act.  The committee recommended a nine month term with federal aid, yet allowed a recess in the term to pick strawberries.  Within the 1934-35 school session the School Board was unable to pay its employees except by “script”.  This was simply a form of an I.O.U. between the School Board and its employees which was negotiable at the local banks.

12) Who were the principals of Champ Cooper Junior High School?

Mr. Duncan Hart (1931-1933) served as principal and teacher

Mr. James Stafford (1933-1937)

Mr. Robert Triplett (1937-1944)

Mr. Hillery Bickford (1944-1975)

Mr. Clarence Zahn (1975-1996)

Mrs. Eliska Mosley (1996-2003

Mr. Anthony Sciortino (2003-present)

13) What was the name of the school newspaper?

About the time of World War II, the eighth and ninth grade students published a school newspaper called Club Blab.  The newspaper covered the prominent events of the school and community life between each publication.

14) When was the first P.T.A established at Champ Cooper Junior High School?

The first P.T.A. was established in 1947.

15)  Did Champ Cooper Junior High School have a 4-H in the beginning years?

Yes, and still does have an active 4-H club.

16)  When did Champ Cooper Junior High begin its sports program?

Champ Cooper Junior High School began with only a girls' basketball team during the 1931-32 school session.

17)  When was the Champ Cooper Booster Club organized? 

The Booster Club has been organized since 1968 for the purpose of providing financial assistance to the athletic department.

18)  How did Champ Cooper Junior High get the name “Champ Cooper Cougars”?

In the early 1970’s Mr. Clarence Zahn, teacher and coach, had a contest for all students to enter a name for the athletic teams.  Eual Stanga Jr. won the contest with the name, “Champ Cooper Cougars”.

19)     When did Champ Cooper Junior High School have their first yearbook?

The first yearbook was in 1975.

20)     Did Champ Cooper Junior High School ever have a band?

Yes, Champ Cooper Junior High had a band in the 1940’s.

   This page was last updated on Thursday, March 30, 2006.