Brackenridge High School - La Retama Yearbook (San Antonio, TX)

Page 15 text:

LA RETAMA 1924 Brackenridge of Happy Memories In the short period of seven years since Brackenridge Higli School was built, it has become one of the finest high schools in Texas, a contender for every literary and athletic honor in the State. Its graduates go to colleges and universities throughout the country, carrying with them the spirit that has made Brackenridge what it is today. To know the Brackenridge spirit one must attend one of the assemblies which are called in the Auditorium of the school, by the principal, at almost any hour of the day. Sometimes they are called for pep rallies before a game with the friendly enemy. Main Avenue; sometimes to hear some worthwhile speaker; sometimes to greet returned heroes who fought for Brackenridge; and sometimes to attend literary contests. But no matter what the occasion, these assemblies always show the spirit and loyalty which spells Brackenridge. Interwoven in the spirit of the school is the club spirit. More like college fraternity spirit than high school club spirit, this motivating force molds the character of the school and of the student. Literary, athletic, scientific, mathematical, and social clubs all vie with each other for honors. rIhe Times Office, where five years ago was lorn the paper which won the state cup in 1923, unpretentious, grave as a sphinx, gives no outward sign of the discussions, gossip, games, stunts, intrigues, plots and love affairs that go on behind its closed doors. Here the celebrities of the school come to meet other celebrities. Here the “Times” reporters come to get the latest news. Hither the advisory representatives rush to get and distribute the “Times” every Tuesday at twelve o’clock. Another famous spot is the Recreation Room. Originally designed and decorated for student gatherings, it has come to be the scene of many a lunch-hour rush. Dances, parties, interclub celebrations, and teachers’ teas have gone to make up the interesting history of this room that will ever hold many pleasant memories for those who leave. The famed smoke-stack of Brackenridge records the history of the school in a most unique way. In 1918 the February graduating class suddenly conceived the notion of leaving their name where it could be seen for the years to come. Accordingly, there appeared, one morning, the crudely painted sign “Feb. 18” near the base of the smoke-stack. The infuriated school authorities tried to hush the matter up and always took visitors around the other way to avoid comment on this defacement. This did not still the enthusiasm of the June class, which painted “June 18” just above the other sign. And so, from year to year, the classes have painted their insignia on the smoke-stack, each a little higher, each a little better and more artistic than the former, until today, the authorities, now reconciled, point out the stack with pride and explain to visitors how it pictures the evolution of Brackenridge High School from its birth, as an unproved proposition, to the present day. as one of the finest high schools in Texas.