Bayless High School - Oracle Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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41' 'lvl' Hb Bayless was admitted into the Missouri State Athletic Association and entered into the St. Louis County League. Baseball was the only league sport that we could enter. The first year victory was difficult, however, because only a small number of boys responded, they had little or no athletic work, and they were unfamiliar with league competition. In February of 1952 an assembly was held to adopt a name for the first annual. After much discussion the name Oracle was decided upon. That year the basketball team competed for the first time in a tournament held at the Wasliington University Field House. Although we did not win, we played a good game. p The first Junior-Senior Prom was held April '30, 1952. It was a formal occasion given by the Juniors to honor the Seniors. In May of this year the first Senior class of Bayless High School, consisting of seven students, graduated. The exercises were held at Gardenville Masonic Temple. The guest speaker of the evening was Dr, Ivan Lee Holt, one of the foremost speakers in the United States. During the school term of '32-'55 the Boys' Glee Club was organized with twenty- one members. Meetings were held twice a week under the sponsorship of Mrs. Hubbard. This club combined with the Girls' Glee Club to hold the first annual Music Night in january. There was a gala band parade with noise and flags in 1932 to get votes for a bond issue for a high school building. The bond issue passed and in january, 1933, workers began to wreck the old grade school building located where the high school now stands. In December an assembly gathered to lay the cornerstone. For the first time in 1935 Bayless took part in the annual school music festival held for the schools of St. Louis County. From 1957 to 1940 the members of the speech class formed an organization called the Forum, under the sponsorship of Mr. Murray Myers. They met every Friday to transact business, after which there was a round table discussion. The chief purpose 1: H ,.L. .u.,7fvf'rv -wi - V. 4 ,371 V, x: :'1'i:pi'st My if .llllaii Elwfi' qii-Q-TFSQ lfli '77 rv Al i' '.ll-lllli K.. gap. 25... 4, P ' silt 'lvl' 'W'

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Q 'I-'I' 'C' '11 if - U-ftstory of CBayless L -af if In 1928 eleven students gathered at the Bayless School Building to begin their high school career. The second floor of the grade school building was used as the high school. The subjects taught were: mathematics, English, science, physical education, history, commercial subjects, Latin, and music. This same year the Baylesr Budget, a monthly newspaper, was published under the sponsorship of Mrs. Bascom. As the name implies, the newspaper was a saving or recording of school activities. It was interesting to the pupils because it contained their own productions. Bayless became a first-class high school in 1950 and began to make a name for itself in athletics. One of the first steps taken was the organization of a baseball team. A second and even bigger step was the addition of a basketball team known as the Bluejayr, blue and white being the school colors at that time. As there was no gym- nasium or indoor court whereon to practice, St. George's gymnasium was rented. - There was practice two days a week after school. Bayless was often defeated in those first few years but the team never failed to show an optimistic and sporting spirit. During the 1930-1931 term the Girls'.Glee Club, sponsored by Mrs. Hubbard, was organized to place music in all its forms as an important unit in the school curriculum. The Boys' Athletic Club, sponsored by Mr. Murphy, was launched upon its career in january, 1931, with the usual enthusiasm of the Bayless boys. The aims of this club were to promote good sportsmanship in and out of school, truthfulness, clean living, and loyalty to friends and to the school, and to develop quick thinking and their physical powers to their utmost. The same year the Girls' Athletic Club started with the object of promoting good sportsmanship, the spirit of democracy and high physical efficiency among the girls. The club which consisted of seventeen girls was sponsored by Mrs. Elmore. Mrs. Bascom sponsored the Dramatic Club to promote a love for drama and a finer type of plays for high school students. In 1931 the members presented junior and Senior plays which were later combined into the junior-Senior play of today. 'Stunt Nite was also instituted by Mrs. Bascom that year. It was supported by the student body, faculty, school board and the community to raise funds to promote athletics. 41 'I'-If NCI

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Qu. f 'inf' was to foster better speech, to acquaint members with authentic sources of information on world affairs and to develop a genuine interest in matters worthy of a good citizen's attention. The Bayless band was started in 1957. All students from the fifth grade through high school were able to participate. In 1958 the first play was given for the Freshmen to initiate them into high school life. The party was given in the grade school basement. The first basketball queen was crowned for the school term '38-'59, Each class selected a candidate and the candidate from the class which sold the most Stunt Nite tickets and basketball passes was made queen. This year a Senior girl won. A new feature was added to Bayless in 1940. This was Open House, one night set aside to demonstrate to the parents and guardians what the various students accom- plished. The parents also had the opportunity to meet the teachers and discuss any problems that might lead to a better understanding of the students' problems. An active art class was added to the school curriculum in 1941. The students participate in various poster contests and several awards have been won. For some time a Bayless newspaper had not been published but again in 1941 under the sponsorship of Mr, Shanklin, the Bayless Hi-Lights was set forth. A contest was held for the naming of this paper and the winner was given a year's subscription. In the fall of 1942, Bayless' first annual Invitational Basketball Tournament was held. This year our team took first place. Now in 1944, another asset has been added to Bayless High Schoolg a swing band made up of some of the better musicians of the large band. It has not only been an added enjoyment to the school and community, but it has also given Bayless recognition in the surrounding districts. For eighty-five years the Bayless School has been the center of education in our community and the Senior class of 1932 is the pioneer class in the institution of higher education in Bayless. During all this time Bayless has been successful in all its undet- takings, It is our hope that the Senior Class has added something of value to the history of our Bayless High School. .lu ,cas 9 'W-1 , l.ii5i1'f2rL 'lllfil ft.. , ,,. 'Ili I n ipf1,'i:il.Q:,g5' I: 2 Hia Ilia! ef f min- '32, ll qt.: +4 up