What We Do

In October 1942, the high school Victory Corps, a National Organization of high schools and grade schools participating in various war activities for general welfare of our nation and bringing a speedier victory, was formed. Essex High had a 100% enrollment in this organization. War bonds and stamps sold from the last week in October to April 1st exceeded the total of $8,000, an average of $3.90 per student per week, which topped the state of Iowa and gave it high rank nationally.

Essex was the first four-year Senior High School in the state to exhibit the “Liberty Brick” taken from the historical Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Essex was the first in Page County in total tons of scrap metal collected. approximately 55 tons of scrap metal was salvaged. Essex was also first in Page County to enter “Help Buy a Jeep” certificate, the $900 raised in 10 days, and first in 10 cans collected largely by grades four to eight inclusive.

Essex High was honored on a radio broadcast over KMA on April 23rd. The program consisted of numbers by the band, mixed choirs, and personal interviews of various students. This great honor will long be cherished by the Essex Public School. Essex High was mentioned in “Mr. Chairman”, War Senior Staff Office as a consistent leader in the “Student-at-War” program, and was cited twice in “Education for Victory”, official United States Office of Education for its numerous  “Student-at-War” activities, including comment on the High School Victory Corps song written and published by Mr. Prusha.

Essex High School was honorably saluted over CBS and the National Broadcasting Company on March 30th. A committee headed by Superintendent F.R. Prusha gathered and assembled material and literature into a scrapbook which was sent to Des Moines and received a number one rating, then it was forwarded to Washington D.C. We all express our gratitude and appreciation to Superintendent Prusha and the members of the Victory Corps for the distinguishing work and accomplishments that gave our school national recognition.

No little amount of credit for the showing made by Essex schools is due to the work of the Essex teachers. Both high school and grades, the Senior and Junior Victory Corps respectively, worked diligently in the organization. The little hands work just as earnestly as the largest ones, and often more on some of the campaigns, metal salvage, and tin can drive.