Hyde Park High School - Aitchpe Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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1 8 9 3 - 1 9 -4 3 JosEPH F. GONNELLY The 1893 students and teachers seem close to us because they initiated the yearbook which we are continuing today. Wfe in 19-13 are inspired by the efforts and achievements of the thousands who preceded us. Wfere it not for their ideals and vision, we could not enjoy the educational advantages of today. lt is our duty to see that Hyde Parkers of the future enjoy equal benefits and opportunities. The world in 1893 was sharply different from the world of 1945. America then was at peace-today she is engaged in a devastat- ing war. 1895 was memorable as the year ushering in one of the worst panics and de- pressions ever suffered in America. It was the year the hrst XYforld's Fair in Chicago was held. ln 1895 the new University of Chicago was only a yearling. Hyde Park High School was rounding out its twenty-third year. The Hyde Parker of '93 had never ridden in an automobile nor listened to an opera over the radio. He had never seen a moving picture or an airplane. His rugs and draperies MR. JOSEPH li. GONNELLY Prizzcipaf were not cleaned by electricity. He had never heard of blood banks or vitamins. Let us not, however, be guilty of the error of pitying him, for he had that great thrill of thinking through his problems and finding practical solutions for them. Sometimes we are tempted to complain that this world into which we have been born is but a sorry mess. XVe are inclined to blame the preceding generation for not having done a better job. XVe should be better advised were we in all humility to express our great indebtedness to them for the blessings we now enjoy. Although in many ways our world is dif- ferent, there exist very significant identities. Some attributes are eternal. Kindness, cour- age, loyalty, and initiative are as vital today as they were a half-century ago. We of 1943, and especially the boys and girls of 1945, must provide the brains, the brawn and the driving power to accomplish similar improve- ments during the next fifty years. This chal- lenge, if we accept it, will make our lives useful and happy. Too, if we cherish the traits that have made Hyde Park great, then we may face the future with the calm assur- ance that Gods in His Heaven, All's right with the world. Page l5

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Poge I4 HISTORY OF HYDE PARK Rome was not built in a day and neither was Hyde Park High School. In fact picking out a date and call- ing it the birthday of Hyde Park is undoubtedly as risky as picking the first in the fifth at Washington Park or the pennant winner of the National League. Anyway, it seems fairly safe to say that Hyde Park was not created by a specific act of the Board of Education, but rather was evolved over a period of years. HIGHLIGHTS OF HYDE PARK HISTORY 1869: Kenwood grammar school begins offering secondary school subjects, thereby becoming our earliest ancestor. 1872: Kenwood adds north wing to house the high school department. Mr. Pliny N. Haskell is principal. 1874: Mr. Clark succeeds Mr. Haskell. ' 1881: Mr. Davis R. Dewey becomes principal of Kenwood. 1883: Mr. William H. Ray takes over the reins. 1890: Mr. William MacAndrew is last principal to serve high school department at Kenwood. Hyde Park district becomes part of Chicago, and the high school obtains a building of its own. It is located at Monroe fnow Kimbarkj and 56th streets. 1891: Mr. Charles W. French becomes principal of the first independent Hyde Park High School. 1905: Mr. Hiram B. Loomis becomes second prin- cipal of Hyde Park. He remains until 1933, becoming the most beloved figure in Hyde Park history. 1913: Hyde Park occupies its present quarters, boasts 2,500 pupils. 1933: Mr. joseph F. Gonnelly becomes head of Hyde Park. 1937: The school adds a new wing to the building to make room for a library, lunchroom, classes and study halls. Yes, we are proud of Hyde Park, for it represents the finest traditions and the opportunities accorded to all Americans to better themselves through public edu- cation, one of those indispensable liberties we are now fighting to preserve. We have a long and honorable history, but in truth it is nothing more than a preview of what is to come.

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GRADF ADVISERS: Row 2 Mis Edgar, Mr. Wil- lilmson Mr. McGuane, Miss Messelheiser, Mr. Rohrke Row 1-Miss Walker Miss Whelan, Miss Robb, Mrs. Flores, Mrs Priddy. There is really more to getting a reinstate- ment slip, or an early dismissal than there appears on the surface. First of all your at- tendance record is investigated, and if you have been absent four times, a parent must come to school. Each early dismissal, ab- sence, or cut is recorded in an individual folder for each person. Not only does a grade adviser take care of attendance records, but also offers his services in adjusting the problems of the students under his super- vision in regard to program difficulties and numerous other miscellaneous hindrances to a happy school life. Until February of this year, the attendance MR. SPECHT Upon entering Hyde Park in 1940, Mr. john R. Specht assumed the former position of Mr. Archibald W. Smalley. His first task was to confer with pupils who heretofore had been of the Huck Finn type, but who greatly improved after having a few man to man chats with Mr. Specht. He instituted a new plan whereby Fresh- men were automatically assigned to the club of their choice. Additional data reveals that Mr. Specht has been instrumental in revising class registration and the attendance office system. GRADE ADVISERS ofhce was in room 150, but now each class has a separate office, the Freshmen in 150, Sophomores in 216, juniors in 150, and Seniors in 227w. The various grade advisers split the day into various sections, each ad- viser having a set time in the office. The advisers are: Freshmen-Miss Mabel Cur- tiss, Miss Mary Robb, Sophomores-Miss Veronica Whelan, Mrs. Sara Priddy, Juniors-Miss Margaret-Anne Walker, Mr. Frank Williamson, Seniors-Miss Harriet Messelheiser, Mrs. Grace Edgar, Mrs. Iso- lina Flores, and Mrs. Katherine Jensen. Ac- cording to these teachers, the new system planned by Mr. Specht is more efficient. Page l6