By Kirsten Buys
C & G Staff Writer

FARMINGTON — Originally the only school in the area, Farmington High School has gone from one graduate in 1888 to nearly 350 in 2008.

That is only one of the many ways the school has transformed during more than a century in existence, and throughout the 2008-2009 school year, the students and staff will recognize its past and celebrate its present.

“When talking to former graduates, whether it’s at a reunion or some other occasion, the one thing that stands out in my mind is how connected everybody felt,” Principal John Barrett said from his office in the third building to house the school. “They had a great time, not only in terms of learning, but they felt connected to each other and the school.”

The original school — Farmington Union School — was built in 1888 and consolidated the area’s many one-room schoolhouses. That building burned down, and another was constructed in 1918 in its place — where Maxfield Training Center now sits on Thomas Street — and named Farmington High School. In 1954, a brand-new building was constructed at its current location at 32000 Shiawassee St., and since then, so many renovations have been done the current building is barely recognizable as the original.

At the school’s 2008 graduation ceremony, Barrett told the story of its first lone graduate, who was not going to receive an actual diploma because the school was under extreme financial constraints.

“She was traumatized, so the school board decided they would ask for samples from various companies,” he said. “They wrote her name in and gave her a diploma.”

When Barrett — whose grandfather graduated from the school in 1928 — began working at the school in 1967, there was only one African-American student, he said, a factor that has changed perhaps the most in the decades since.

“Now there are 75 different languages or dialects spoken in Farmington Public Schools,” he said. “It’s like the United Nations.”

Throughout the year, the school will focus on its history, including incorporating various eras of the world and local history into music performances, history classes and more. Posters designed by senior Adam Naglich will be displayed throughout the school showing the  three structures and a photo from the present. Streetlight banners showing the first building will be displayed along Shiawassee Street and possibly downtown, near the original structure.

David Katherman, a 1958 graduate and 27-year math teacher at the school, is in the processing of organizing his 50th class reunion. In charge of the school’s Sports Hall of Fame, the former track and gymnastics coach has long enjoyed connecting with students and athletes from years past, and even has made some discoveries along the way.

“My father and aunt and three uncles all graduated from Farmington High, so I have deep roots here,” he said. “I found them in some of the pictures from the 1920s. I had an aunt who happened to be 6 feet tall, and she was the captain of the basketball team.”

Katherman remembers as a child traversing the hill down to Shiawassee Park, where the whole town would gather to watch football or baseball games. While searching for sports memorabilia, he has come across decades-old class photos that now are being reframed and hung near the school’s auditorium.

“It’s gratifying to me to see how things have progressed and maintain the history,” said Katherman, who retired from the district in 1996. “It’s been wonderful seeing how Farmington has excelled, particularly in technology. Farmington High School in particular has been envied by the district,  as well as the area, for being a leader and a Blue Ribbon school. I’m very proud of them, and I miss being there, but my time came to pass it on.”

Other faculty, staff and students who also have moved on are welcome to come by anytime to see how things have changed and view the uncovered bits of history that will be on display throughout the school year and into the future. Barrett often gives tours of the school, which sometimes involve a breakfast tailgate with coffee and bagels near the school.

“When we had our 100th, it was fun, but I think each year we progress it’s going to be bigger and a little more of an extravaganza,” Katherman said. “I’m anticipating some wonderful activities this year. I hope people appreciate it and will show up and enjoy it.”