Altus Senior High School - Bulldog Yearbook (Altus, OK)

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WITH ONE of the nation’s great Strategic Air Command and Strategic Aerospace Com- mand installations a part of the school district, Altus High School and Altus Junior Coll- ege administrators and stu- dents work closely with the military and their dependents. This policy makes for mutual understanding and helps pro- mote better education for all, school officials believe. Typi- cal of many School-Air Force events is the scene at right, made during Education Day when educators from Altus High-School — Altus Junioi College, as well as from other colleges of the state were guests for a tour of the Atlas Missile sites. Approximately 40 percent of the high school enrollment is made up of mili- tary dependents. Miss Glade Clemons, business education teacher; Mrs. Clifford Peterson, college speech and English teacher, and Mr. Clifford Peterson, superinten- dent of schools, leave an Air Force bus on tour of missile sites. Official Air Force Photo. BASE-SCHOOL COOPERATION Altus High-AJC Focal Point For Progress Approximately 70 percent of Altus High School graduates enter Altus Junior College. AJC has doubled its enrollment almost every year. Oldest municipal junior college in Okla- homa, AJC is in the perfect position to benefit from new legislation for the accredited com- munity college. Last summer the college purchased the air-conditioned church struc- ture, fronting on Park Lane, and will convert it into a modem classroom building. Addi- tional building expansion is planned to take care of the record enrollments expected to continue with each year. Matriculation in the junior college is surprisingly easy because of the close cooperation between Dean Ora Littlejohn, and Acting Principal J. D. Nor- man. All students who enter Altus Junior College must take the ACT test. Basic courses are offered in modern mathematics, science, English and history, as well as foreign language. Required work for science, mathematics, dental, medical, law, pharmacy, teaching and other degrees is offered. DEAN ORA LITTLEJOHN, right, and Mr. Dennis Norman discuss the records of AHS students plan- ning to enroll in Altus Junior College this summer or fall. Students who attend either day or evening school in the summer and the full fall and spring terms followed by another summer term can enter senior colleges with near junior standing. 15

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ACTIVITIES are a part of the life of almost every student at Altus High. For instance, glee clubs mem- berships number approximately one out of every five members of the high school student body. There are three glee clubs: sophomore girls, boys’ and varsity girls. They perform at district and state vocal meets, usually obtain- ing superior ratings. Civic clubs, other schools, assemblies and community events request performances. Most of these are made by smaller groups, a part of the school “entertainment bureau.’’ Mrs. A. W. Edwards, far right, directs all vocal music activi- ties at the senior high level. PUBLIC SERVICE Organizations Lead School-Community Unity PEP CLUB is another activity well represented. With approxi- mately every other girl in the high school a member of the pep club, it has strong influence on the loyal support of the school. They are in attendance at all sports activities, and are usually strongest in vocal force at football games. Pep club has officers who are in charge of planning all out-of-town trips which the club takes as a group. An advisor from the faculty is present at all pep club meetings. A special section of bleachers is reserved for Pep Club members at all ball games. During early fall the girls wear white blouses and Bulldog blue skirts. Later white pullover sweaters are a fd- ed. On coldest nights the girls wear dark topcoats. “THAT ALTUS BAND” probably is the best known of any of the activity groups at Altus High School in areas outside the city. They perform at every Bulldog football game, whether it is at home or away. This year they participate in Band Day at the Univer- sity of Okahoma, marched in district, state and regional contests, and scored superiors. Band practice during football season starts before eight, with practice usually lasting until 10:00, much of the time being spent on the practice field. During half-time performances, all music is played by memory, and intricate steps are performed during difficult maneu- vers with instruments played simultaneously. Special groups of the band have performed on television. The “Downbeats” were on the Tom Paxton show. Picture at the left, with Director Don Leavitt, shows how careful prac- tice “makes perfect.” Formations usually are rehearsed for two or three weeks, with several shows in various stages of production at one time. When bad weather makes practice im- possible concert work is rehearsed indoors. 14

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Unexpected dividend from the construction of the second story addition to the new northeast wing was creation of an enclosed patio area, and exterior walkways between classes. With this addition also, the rear of the high school building was greatly enhanced architecturally. The south wing which now houses cafeteria and kitchens below, and English classrooms above, was a part of the original L-shaped building. Better balance, and better use of the land area has been achieved with the U-shape. Although some classes meet as early as 7:30 A.M. (for those who want computer programming as an enrichment course) another group of classes meet on Monday and Thursday evenings, and have met for the past 21 years. Typewriting, shorthand and accounting are taught not only in day classes, but also in evening school. SOPHOMORES Mary Montoya and Ann Winsett stroll along the new walaway between wings of the high school, discussing eventful days during this first year in senior high, and landscaping possibilities of the semi-enclosed rear area. BELOW: Lights burn more brightly than usual in AHS administrative building in readiness for the record attendance at the February 13 all- school open-house. Few nights of the year find the building dark. Classrooms are used for night courses, and for numerous community meetings. ERA'S END Buildings Used For Day, Evening Classes