North Side High School - Legend Yearbook (Fort Wayne, IN)

Page 7 text:

The peaceful riverbank was a haven for students in the early years, as it has continued to be. Cheerleaders were important to every athletic event, and boys were members of the squads. Grand finales for students productions in any year gave all an opportunity to show off their specialities and display their talents. Student players were organized the first year and performed often for appreciative student audiences. The locomotive cheer has endured almost as long as North Side, and is still popular. Bobby socks (rolled) lots of lipstick, and skirts down to there were typical of coed dress in the ' 50 ' S. 1S59791

Page 6 text:

o f Middle-aged North begins anniversary with ' Golden Class ' As its first half-century closes, North has settled gracefully into middle age- old enough to be experienced in many matters, yet still at the height of her productive powers. Some changes in those years have gone full circle: Girls, once cautioned that wearing makeup was in poor taste, were wearing layers of the stuff in the 1950 ' s, only to go back to very little in the last decade. The so-called minor sports and girls ' sports faded from the picture but are finding a strong revival. Other facets of the early years have changed: Male cheerleaders, once customary, have disappeared. The Zollner Pistons, who used the gym as their home floor, have moved to Detroit. Teachers have retired; class officers have become community leaders. But the building considered unique in 1927 stands relatively unchanged and still eminently useful, as do the educational principles established there in the early years. The traditions of excellence and service prevail, shown today in National Honor Society and honoraries such as Helicon; sports victories continue to pile up; last year Redskins made up the largest school group to donate blood. But the most enduring and endearing quality to come from North Side is the pride, loyalty and continued support of its graduates. The Golden Year that begins with the commencement of the Class of 1977 would not hold such rich promise were it not for the Legend of History that preceded it. Getting together with friends at Sandy ' s or at Miller ' s was like going for pizza today. Horseplay has always had a place in school life, but there is not always a photographer around. :£ •;

Page 8 text:

10,000 visit North in first open house as traditions begin A crowd of 10,000 who attended the North Side open house on Labor Day, 1927, inspected an ultra modern school that was considered a marvel of modern education. The area ' s Indian history led to selection of the Redskin nickname and called the building the Big Teepee. Forty-two teachers and 750 students established traditions that would stay with the school for the next 50 years: The Student Council, the publications, a group of student players, and an honor roll. The first ivy was planted on Senior Day in 1928. A year later, the Senior Banquet was established. Student Council introduced Get Acquainted Day and Courtesy Week, traditions that lasted into the 1950 ' s. Commencement ceremonies of 1935 were probably the biggest in the school ' s history. All three high schools-North, South, and Central— participated and almost 10,000 persons attended. In sports we didn ' t always have a winning record, but early teams started a fighting tradition that has carried on through the years. The football team over those first nine years won 40, lost 24, and tied 13. The basketball team won two sectional, one regional, and two city championships. The track team won city championships three times and sent individuals to state meets. Swimmers lost 0-3 in 1932, but made a comeback in 1933 and won all four of their meets. Milton H. Northrop was the first principal. Called Dad at first, he later was known affectionately as Pop. Miss Florence Reynard was dean of girls the first three years and was replaced by Miss Victoria Gross. Homerooms met for ten minutes every day and had a basketball tournament. The first play was presented in October, 1927. Mr. Milton H. Northrop, Pop, guided the school from its beginning through its formative years. Miss Rowena Harvey, who founded the publications, was a leader in scholastic publications. 4 History