Grant High School - Memoirs Yearbook (Portland, OR)

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RASMUSSEN PAINTS Paints — Wall Coverings — Art Supplies SIl) RASMUSSEN 35 644-9137 Beaverton xii NATIONAL MORTGAGE CO. JAMES K. NEILL '35 305 S.W. 4th

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W. T. FLETCHER ANDREW D. HRESTU Founder To The Men Who Started The Ball Rolling in 1924 We Salute You PORTLAND BOTTLING COMPANY PHYLIS HRESTU ROUCHES 57 ELAINE HRESTU STERNBERG 50 VVM. FLETCHER First Principal

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CHAPTER I WM-WM THE LAUNCHING Early on the morning of September 2, 1924, the Ulysses S. Grant High School opened its doors for the first time to welcome 662 students, an oleo of second through fifth termers and of first termers who were to become the first all-Grant graduates of June 1928. out-of-state schools; the rest, transfers from other city high schools. Summarized briefly, pupils and teachers from 85 widely scattered schools were coming together to begin the history of U.S. Grant High! By October eighth, one hundred thirty more were added making a total by terms of 84 fifth, 62 fourth, 170 third, 170 second and 306 first termers. Already the infant school had growing pains. The main building had been readied for an expected 500 students. It consisted of twenty-seven classrooms, fifteen down and twelve up, three laboratories, two lecture rooms, two boys’ and two girls’ lavatories, a women’s restroom, and a library. Not all of these rooms had been furnished. With the unexpected enrollment, more rooms had to be equipped and additional teachers hired before classwork could begin. A word here about those first 662 Grantonians. They came from 26 grammar and private schools and from twelve preparatory and high schools. They represented schools from 29 Oregon towns, fifteen different states, and two countries — the Philippines and Canada. Those first 23 teachers had come from five Oregon schools outside the city, from four To this conglomerate mass, gathered in the gymnasium for its first assembly, Mr. Fletcher spoke of the problems facing them, of his desire to make this a really great school, and in general, of the ideals toward which he hoped they would all, hopefully, strive. After that assembly, all went outside the gym, where they watched Grant’s Old Glory raised for the first time, following this with a solemn salute. For better or for worse Grant had begun its long road to fame! Right here, let us record two Important facts about those 306 freshies. One hundred of them were already planning to attend college, aiming their courses accordingly for the entrance examinations required in Eastern as well as Western colleges. 66 of these youngsters were already either partially or wholly self-supporting! Quoting from the first publication: “At last! We’re high school students. Three hundred and six of us are enrolled in Grant High School. Maybe we’re green freshies, but nevertheless, we are ambitious. We are DON AND JEAN THOMAS Class of ’.36 1