Fife High School became fully accredited in 1921. By 1926 there
were 64 high school students enrolled. The school became the focus
of the community's social activities. A Tacoma newspaper article
claimed, "Fife Rural School Best in the Northwest."
Fife was perhaps the only school in the State to offer both a
full academic curriculum and instruction in manual skills, primarily
agricultural and mechanical. At one time Fife High School built
violins and ukuleles and sold them. The community took an active
interest in the athletic programs. The voters turned down a bond
issue to build a gymnasium in 1920 and 1923. Other schools in
the area refused to play at Fife because of the poor facilities.
In 1924 the boycott forced the residents to pass a bond and a
gym was built. The gym opened with a basketball game between the
residents and businessmen. The new 
gymnasium
was given the not so flattering nickname of "Apple Box".
With a new gym came the first State Championship. The girls basketball
teams put Fife on the map with their State win. In 1925 the Fife
boys' basketball team played Pacific Lutheran University and won
24 to 8. In 1927 Fife created its first football team. Harry Enochs
coached the team. (read more about
Mr. Enochs). The team owned one football and one set of shoulder
pads. Needless to say they lost their first game to Roy, 6 to
0. They finished the season with 5 out of 7. Football, however,
was to become one of Fife's most popular sports.
The Illahee was first published in 1925, the result of
careful planning. It was so enthusiastically received by the students
that it was hoped to be made an annual publication. However, due
to financial problems there was no annual in 1928. In 1929 the
Trojan was first published and continues to this day. The Fifonian,
the school paper, was published bi-monthly for most of the decade.
Each class took turns publishing an issue. The competition was
fierce, but friendly. (Click here to see
a page from an early issue.)
A school bus route was added in 1927 and by 1929 there were three
buses on the road each morning and evening. A new brick high school
was started. On January 24, 1929 the High School and Grade school
boys had a fight. The younger boys chased the high schoolers into
the building with snowballs. In March or 1929, Fife High School
elected its first student council. (Continue)