1903 - 1930

World War I

"On the third day of March, Dr. Echols of the University of Virginia gave us an address on why we should stay at school and prepare ourselves instead of going immediately to war. He said a great war between label and capital is imminent, and every boy who is too young to enlist now will be needed then.” - Whispers 1918

On April 6th, 1917, America entered the first World War, leaving major effects on Episcopal’s student life and the institution as a whole. Episcopal responded to America's joining of the war by preparing the boys who may be drafted or choose to enlist next. The 1918 edition of Whispers explains how the administration provided lectures that educated students on depth bombs, blockades, army rearrangement, changes in modern warfare (such as chemicals and gases), and trench life. 

Although the youngest age of men drafted in the US was 21, a number of EHS students voluntarily chose to drop out of school and join the military, a popular choice due to the war-time patriotism in the country. Over 400 students, faculty, and alumni fought in WWI, with 22 dying in battle.

Women's Suffrage 

“The next Sunday Mr. Carter gave us a talk on Current Events, and the two constitutional amendments – Prohibition and Woman Suffrage – which have bothered Congress lately.” - Whispers 1918

As it was an all-boys school at the time, with little to no female faculty, Episcopal’s connection with first-wave feminism is scant, and that is clear when looking through the yearbooks in that time period. However, in the 1919-20 edition of Whispers, the annual yearbook dedication was awarded to Mary Landon Jett, the first time a woman received the dedication. In the wake of the 19th Amendment, this dedication shows Whisper's slight acknowledgment of women’s suffrage. 

The Great Depression

“...by 1931-32 the Depression was extremely severe; but the school remained full and did not cut its consumption. Hence advertising for both The Chronicle and Whispers held up." - John White '30, Chronicles

In October 1929, the U.S. stock market crashed, causing the long-lasting and devastating economic depression that swept the globe from 1929 to 1939. Episcopal, however, was not majorly affected by the Depression, besides a slight drop in enrollment applications; even the school publications, like Whispers, continued to receive monetary support through advertisements. Thus, most of the Whispers yearbooks from the 30s include a brief sidenote before the advertisement section of the book, showing gratitude for the companies and businesses that offered financial support in the difficult period.