Grant High School - Memoirs Yearbook (Portland, OR)

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required to take seven terms of English, one year of History, one of any Science, and a year of Math which did not need to be Algebra or Geometry, to make up a total of thirty credits. Subjects such as Cooking, Sewing, Art, Typing, Mechanical Drawing, Manual Training, and Music were only one half credit per term. There are some interesting statistics for Grant’s first year: at the end of the year 1924-25, there were 478 girls and 375 boys. The average attendance was 852.7. The average absence, 37.5 or 195.7 attendance rate. There had been three suspensions. But lend an ear! 499 girls and 532 boys were tardy - a total, if you please, of 1031! Let us hope most of those were racked up by a dozen or so late risers. A more gratifying set of statistics concerns the interest in Science. During the spring term of 1925, 176 were taking General Science; 164 Biology, and 54 Chemistry. There were no seniors to take Physics or Trigonometry. Most of the freshmen took Algebra. Grant offered courses in Art, Mechanical Drawing, Manual Training, Domestic Science and Art, Vocal and Iinstrumental Music. Physical Education was required the first two years. Students were not free to dress as they wished. The writer recalls an effort made by the students to adopt and wear a school uniform thinking it would be both attractive and democratic. If I recall, some of the parents stopped that. Miss Henderson, on occasion, sent some girls home to clean their faces of makeup and to don more suitable classroom attire. A few years later, under Miss McGaw, girls who came stockingless to school were sent home pronto! “Grubbies” were allowed for after school wear when students were working on various booths or in other activities about the school. Even as late as 1961, Ahmad Khan, an exchange student from Pakistan, was required to shave off his moustache. There seems to be a direct relationship between the lowering of appearance standards and the increase in careless behavior patterns! Students were training to take their places in an adult world, and every effort was made to fit them for a responsible place in that CLASS POEM High School is a mountain steep. That must be climbed in slow degrees By every member in the class— It cannot e'er be scaled with ease; It takes four years to reach its peak ; For thirty credits we must seek. In September ’twenty-two We all entered some High School. As Freshmen toiled we through the year And learned a different kind of rule. As Sophomores we climbed ahead. And passed examinations dread. To U. S. Grant, our own new school, As Juniors we together came : And since there was no class ahead We added dignity to fame; So we became the leaders then Among our younger fellow-men. But now at last we've reached the top. And as our graduation nears We thrill with pride to contemplate We are the first,—the pioneers. First, from this crest to see life’s star To which our mountain led us far. —Frances Murray. :26. J. J. CONSTRUCTION CO. Complete Remodeling Service Since 1935 JERRY JONES JIM KIRK DUANE SCHWARM GERALD BROWNHILL 1836 N.E. 82nd Portland, Oregon 97220 255-0415 5

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For the first few terms, letters were awarded for scholarship, but in the Spring term of 1928, the Council discussed but did not decide upon a plan which was adopted shortly thereafter of giving a gold G pin to any student with all E’s for three terms. (Grades were then E, G, F, and U). Each term thereafter a pearl would be added to the G until the eighth term. If any student managed to make E’s in all his subjects for eight terms, he was awarded a diamond. Mr. Fletcher repeatedly reminded his faculty, “We are all here learning to live together.” This implied friendliness and cooperation and understanding. Interviewing prospective teachers, he was as selective concerning their character and personality as he was of their scholastic preparation. Out of such an heterogeneous mass of humanity as was Grant in September 1924 came a solidarity of purpose and ideals, not just of scholarship, but of sportsmanship. What a thrill it was to watch our cheer leaders trot out on the field or into the gym and lead a first rousing yell for — the opposing team. What a glow resulted from seeing our Student Body back a losing team feeling that “winning isn’t everything; it’s how you play!” And that, dear Alums, is another reason why Grant is truly great! In the spring of 1926, Grant athletics for the first time members of the basketball league, were City Champions. In the falls of 1926 and 1927, they were city football champions. Our students had already set scholarship records, won typing awards, achieved baseball and tennis victories. The school was on its way. We should, perhaps mention the fact that one of Grant’s sports participants also had the highest scholarship of any athlete in the city with a 98.6 grade average for four years. George was one of the most lovable and most popular boys at Grant, and if I recall correctly, the only black student in the school. Fall 1927 — June 1931 — During these fours years of E grades, (note: George was taking the classical Course - see below ), he found time to be a cashier his fifth and sixth terms; be an active member of the Faraday (Science Club); Quirites (Latin Club); the Royal D’s; the Glee Club; Track ‘27, ‘28, ‘29, ‘30, ‘31; Football ‘28, ‘29, ‘30; and the Fire Squad. What a record! There were three courses available to high school students in Portland. 1) The Classical which was required for entrance to the Eastern “Ivy League” colleges. It consisted of four years of English, three years of Mathematics, four years of Latin and at least two of another language, one year of either Physics or Chemistry, and two years of History. This was a total of 32 credits in required subjects. Only the best students attempted this course. Not only was it just plain hard but there was little if any time for electives one might want. To take typing or art one had to carry five subjects besides his physical education. 2) The College Preparatory course was also for college bound students, but it met the requirment for Western colleges. In the state at large it required three years of English, two years (Algebra and Geometry) of Mathematics, one year of a laboratory Science (they would accept Biology for this) one year of American History, and two years of any Language. Grant required four years of English. This made a total of twenty required credits, and the student could elect, from art or industrial or home economics or any other subject offered, enough to make a total of 32 credits. 3) In the General Course students were MAIL-WELL ENVELOPE CO. Envelope Designers and Manufacturers BOB HORNING '35 BILL LORD '36 CHUCK SHERWOOD '38 EARL WALTER '41 2515 Mail Well Drive 654-3141 4

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world. Summing up Plato’s ideas about a liberal education: “To develop in the future rulers the power of independent thought, to open to them the secrets of the Universe, and to help them, as they increase in knowledge, to be filled with an intellectual love of God.” This was what Grant educators were trying to do. Perhaps that is why so many Grant graduates have forged ahead in fields of Science and Medicine as well as in the Arts. Both men and women have also entered the ministry as well as the many other professions. The murals in our auditorium in memory of Mr. Fletcher show the idealism that was Grant’s during its beginning. They aim by line and color as well as by subject matter to interpret the ideals of education. The chains of young people, hand in hand, climbing, step by step, striving toward ideal conceptions of manhood and womanhood — these are intended to symbolize all education. Mr. Fletcher was an educator who inspired all who knew him. By both precept and example he taught that one’s life should be a balance of all things of value; one should strive toward an ideal. His belief in God and in man was a vital part of his dynamic personality. Mr. Fletcher, Grant’s Pioneer Principal, saw the little first termers of September 1924 become the Pioneer Graduates on June 14, 1928. Then, on July 9, he left the job of building upon the foundation he had laid to those who had been working with him. Under his four years of leadership, the Student Body had grown from less than seven hundred to over 2000 members. It had a Fire Squad of seventy members who could clear the building of its 2000 students and 79 teachers in 90 seconds. Instead of eight tiny clubs, it now had twenty-two. It had a 47 piece band and a 21 piece orchestra. It had a Traffic Squad of 32 members who directed traffic and kept order in the congested halls at Assemblies and during lunch period. From its beginning. Grant had self-government. The students were represented by two councils: Executive, which was composed of the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, editor-in-chief, athletic representative, fire chief, and after the organization of the Boys’ and Girls’ Home leagues, those two presidents. The Advisory Council constituted representatives from every registration room and club in the school. These Councils had joint meetings about every three weeks. They planned Hilarity Shows, Carnivals, candy, doughnut, dill pickle sales — in fact, all the money-raising events. Student Body officers were elected at the end of the term by members of the student body. Student Body membership was open to all for a fee of fifty cents. If a student could not afford that, jobs were available in the student body office or school office so that he could earn the amount, no stigma attached. Any student who was worthy and eligible could be elected to any office if he had a G average and was a member of the Student Body. Regular school assemblies were free, but others with outside speakers were planned for student body members only. In the fall of 1926, the Student Body took over the “General News”, gave it the new name, “Grantonian”, and distributed it free to all Student Body members every two weeks. ROSS HOLLYWOOD CHAPEL 4733 N.E. Thompson St. Portland, Oregon 6 DEHEN KNITTING CO. BILL DEHEN 404 N.W. 10th Ave. 222-3871