Classical High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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ABOVE: Hairstyles were different in the 1970’s. RIGHT: Today, students are more concerned about their grades. At ABOVE: The Stageband was recruited to perform at Classical’s first honor roll assembly which gave notice to our deserving students. RIGHT: The hippie look in the late 1960’s. BELOW: The Vietnam War was the prevalent issue and major cause of teenage rebellion around 1970. iA © re “i History Xili

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Xi Chris Nicholson (class of ’71) shows concern. In the late ’60’s, individualism was “‘in’’. The big “thing” with the teenagers of that period was rebellion. There was an outpour- ing of emotion over civil and equal rights, sexual freedom, the Vietnam war, and the ever-present menace of nuclear weapons. Teenagers turned to drug abuse in an at- tempt to forget their problems, and the pop- ular music of the time dealt with peace and rebellion from traditional motives. Law was questioned extensively, and rioting was common in the big cities. At Classical, the student body demanded elective courses which held relevancy to the times. Courses such as Urban Sociology, Teenager and the Law, Latin-American his- tory, Cultural Geography, and Utopian Lit- erature were introduced. The dress code, which for decades was maintained at Classi- cal, was abruptly abolished and the ‘“‘hip- pie” look became prevalent. Participation in school activities during the early seventies was at a record low. For example: in 1971, the Classical marching band consisted of only eight members. Any achievements made during this period were done solely for the individual, and not for the benefit of others. History However, after the Vietnam war had end- ed, the attitude of the American teenager slowly began to take on a conservative tone. Racial segregation and discrimination were lessened considerably, mostly as a re- sult of the battle for civil rights. More and more, teenagers became concerned with playing an important part in society and making something of themselves. There was more of a “plan for the future” attitude, as opposed to the “live for today” way of thinking that had prevailed in the sixties. Traditional values made a comeback with the teenagers of the ’80’s. For the first time in a decade, the “Star-Spangled Banner” was played at the 1985 fall sports rally. Courses that were instituted at the height of the rebellion had faded out as a sign of the changing times. The senior early-dismissal program at Classical was reinstated after having been done away with years before. In recent years, the students attending Classical were given more credibility as re- sponsible members of society, a fact which may open the door for greater compatabi- lity between teenagers and adults in the fu- ture. ABOVE: Students making use of their early dis- missal privileges until they were revoked. BE- LOW: Miss Keenan as astudent in 1970 (top), and as a teacher in 1986 (bottom).

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X1V Dyan and Kevin show us their senior smiles. “Being in the last graduating class at Classical gives me a feeling of fear and hon- or. Fear because I may never see some of the people I have grown fond of ... Honor because my class will be most remembered. People will come up to me and say, “What was it like? ...’ ” At home in my room I have one bulldog, two calendars, two sweatshirts, a senior hat, four pins, a key chain, a tee shirt, and two yearbooks, all from Classical High School. Yesterday these things were just junk that I had picked up throughout my high school years during fits of extrava- gance and school spirit. Today they are a lot more because today I realize that we won’t be coming back to Classical — ever. When the seniors of other classes found themselves nostalgic, they returned to 235 State Street and found the teachers, the classes, and the places around the building that could bring back the memories of the History best days of their lives. When we want to come back, there will be no school to come back to. But, beyond the disadvantages of the closing of Classical, there lies a very good aspect to being a senior in the last class. We are special. There is no:other class that can take away our distinction of being the last class. There will be no classes in the future who can break our records because ours are set down permanently. There was, and will be, no class which has gathered up so much spirit and energy in such a short period of time as the class of 1986. There will be no other class which can hold Classical’s mem- ory so deep in its heart. For all time, we, the class of 1986, the keepers of Classical’s memory, were the last class and the best Class’ 7, ‘“.. people will know forever that I wasa senior in the last graduating class of Classi- cal High School.” ABOVE: Stacy takes one more look at the school. BELOW: Michelle (top) and Cindy (bottom) think back on all the pleasant years they’ve had at Classi- cal High School.