HISTORY OF CYPRUS HIGH SCHOOL
Spirit, pride, unity and tradition are the qualities that have flowed through the
veins of Cyprus students since the beginning of this great school in April of 1918. A new grade was added each year until 1921 when the first high school diplomas were awarded to five graduates. The closing of the mills the following year depleted the school population to such an extent
that the senior high department closed, and the few remaining high school students were transported to Granite High School. When the mill resumed work again in 1922 the tenth grade was again added, followed the next year by grade eleven. In 1924, the first story of the administration building was completed, and in May of 1925, sixteen students graduated. The school now consisted of twelve classrooms, an office, storerooms, lockers and a library. During the 1927-28 year, a manual arts building and one of the largest rural gymnasiums in Utah were erected. The next year a six hundred-seat auditorium was built, with a balcony being added later to handle an additional 250 people. The Pirate Ship sailed along smoothly for several years without further modification. Then in 1937, a two-story music building became part of our complex, joined to the main building and auditorium by a three-arched arcade and hallway. The first story of this addition consisted of five group practice rooms, a supply room and a director’s office. The second story had a large band room and an instrument storage room. Even with all this building over the years, a rapid increase in enrollment and activities required still more additions to the superstructure of the old hull. The original gym was not large enough, and a new one had to be started in 1955. Rather than destroy the old facility, it was converted into three stories of classrooms. Further modifications brought exciting changes to the music department in 1957, and by 1964 we had a new industrial arts building. By the summer of 1965, a connecting building between the administration and old gym buildings was completed, and things seemed very shipshape for some years to come. The progress at Cyprus High School has never ceased, and in the spring of 1974,
plans were approved and construction begun for one of the most modern and complete auditoriums in the area. The old auditorium was remodeled into a new home economics facility. More recently, in the spring of 1978, contracts were let to construct a new science and ceramics building on the northwest corner of the campus and a new girls' gym on the southwest. At last, our great school seemed to be finished. Things did not bode well for the old Pirate ship. During the fall and winter of 1981, some old cracks and bulges in the 1918 hull began to widen and sag. Even the bulkheads, ("doors" to you landlubbers), in the 1965 superstructure started to stick. It wasn't long before parts of our vessel were declared to decommission the 1918 and 1965 portions of the old ship and send them to the bottom. What was left of our great ship was towed into dry dock for a complete rebuilding. For two whole years, the Pirates had to call Brockbank Junior High an auxiliary vessel and use only part of the present ship. We put to sea an hour earlier than usual every day for those years. Those who endured it well were the best for it all. In the Fall of 1984, the brand new Pirate ship was ready to be launched under full sail, a bright and shiny new craft worthy to be called CYPRUS HIGH SCHOOL. With more than eighty years of challenging and exciting seafaring behind us, we are
ready now to begin a new year, the best year ever as proud seamen on the greatest ship afloat. On, You Mighty Pirates! WHY WE ARE THE PIRATES
Until 1925, students at Cyprus did not have a nickname. Then, as the school began rapidly growing, Cyprus entered into competitive sports with other schools and a name was chosen. Long ago on the island of Cyprus, bands of fierce Pirates made their home. They were united, loyal and defended their cause with great honor. When the students of Cyprus decided upon a name, they felt "Pirates" best suited their school. As a result, Pirates became the official name of all Cyprus students.
