Thomas Carr Howe Community High School - Hilltopper Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

Page 11 text:

Howe High School opened its doors for the first time in September, l938, to four hundred and fifty students. There were approximately three hun- dred and forty-nine freshmen, and one hundred sophomores who came from the other high schools. When the school opened, the library had few books to which the students could refer. To fill up these empty shelves, the Parent-Teacher Association, under the chairmanship of Mrs. T. M. Weesner, spon- sored a book shower in March, l939. Mrs. C. U. Watson and loe Watson Cpicturedl were among those who gave their services in collecting the 3,000 books donated to the school by friends. Near the beginning of the semester a demand came for a school publication. A staff was organized and a contest to name the school's newspaper was sponsored by this staff on March 29, l939. lean Huston and Ann Link Cpicturedl look at a contest poster. uf 7ZUz' ea? The first Pageant of Achievement, celebrating the second birthday of the ground breaking of the school, was held on Friday, May 26, l939, on the school campus. Margaret Gordon reigned as first Violet Queen attended by Eileen Edwards, Marilyn Behymer, Ella Nora Tomlinson, and lo Ann Harmon. Robert Winter represented the Philosopher. 3?

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For many years the residents of Irving- ton and other east-side districts persistently worked for a new high school. The pur- chase of the site known as Violet Hill was the first step toward the realization of their dream. Mrs. Louis W. Bruck, then president of the Irvington Union of Clubs, turned the first spade of earth from Violet Hill four years ago on May 28, l937, at the ground breaking ceremonies. Cn November lO, l937, Mr. DeWitt S. Morgan, superintendent of schools, presided at the corner stone laying. Under the stone was placed the Bible, the United States flag, the lndianapolis Star, News, Times, Public School News, minutes of the board, history of the lrvington Union of Club's efforts to obtain the school for the community, biog- raphies of Thomas Carr Howe, and William Forsythe, well-known Irvington artist. The trowel used by Allan W. Boyd, then presi- dent of the Board of School Commissioners, was presented to the school by Mr. A. B. Good, business director of the Board of School Commissioners. The dedication ceremonies for Thomas Carr Howe High School took place on Thursday, September 29, l938, presided over by Mr. DeVVitt S. Morgan. The dedica- tion speech was made by Carl Wilde, then president of the Board of School Commis- sioners, and was accepted by Mr. Hilton U. Brown, prominent citizen of lndianapolis. At a signal from Mr. Charles MacKay Sharp, principal, the clock in the tower was started, signifying the official beginning of Thomas Carr Howe High School.

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Ll? 26014 Gur second year's enrollment almost doubled that of the tirst year, mounting to approximately seven hundred and thirty- two students. This growth of the school brought need for a full-sized gymnasium and lunchroom. The new gymnasium is shown as it looked last year when under construction. The first activity held in the wing was the First Nighter Dance, sponsored by the publica- tion staffs. The school celebrated the third anni- versary of its ground breaking with the sec- ond annual Pageant ot Achievement on May 29, l94O. luanita Davis was chosen by the student body from a group of five can- didates to reign as Violet Queen with loan Campbell, Clyde Holder, luanita Godfrey, and Patricia Swayne acting as attendants. Hal Silver impersonated the Spirit of the Tower. The annual citizenship plaque award, given by the American Legion Post No. 38 of lrvington to the outstanding junior boy and girl, was presented to Marilyn Behymer and Tom Reese. T 11 3