Falls Church High School - Jaguar Yearbook (Falls Church, VA)

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On September 4, 1945, 522 excited students entered Falls Church High School for the first time. Each one felt the thrill of its newness and was anxious to explore every part of the building. A few months earlier, on May 18, the corner¬ stone was laid. It contained wine for strength, corn for growth, oil for wisdom, a roster of Presidents of the United States, a Bible, a copy of a United States history, and a list of the original students. Students soon became acquainted with the building. There were two shower rooms, two dress¬ ing rooms, a multiple purpose room, fourteen class¬ rooms, a home economics department, commercial department, two laboratories, and a library. Also, 450 lockers were ordered which arrived in March, 1946. In September of that first year, plans began for the presentation of the first printed yearbook. A printed book in an attractive binding carrying the school colors and abounding in pictures which will truly depict the people and events of the school year is being planned,” said Jaguar ’46 Editor Rita Crone. The famous Falls Church High band began with practice sessions during third period. In those days the band consisted of one saxophone, a set of drums, two clarinets, one trombone, one cornet, and one girl member who played the piano. The school was proud of the band itself, but heads swelled a little more at the thought of having three vocalists also. The Jaguars compiled a 4-6-1 record in football that year. They stomped Manassas Vocational School 20-6, but lost to Montgomery Blair, 6-0. Other rivals included Culpeper County High School and Charlestown High in Charlestown, West Virginia. The basketball team didn’t fare so well then. Their record was 0-5, bowing to Fairfax twice, 57-14 and 60-19. Even twenty-one years ago, students inquired about an honor system. A committee was set up to write an Honor Code. This code remained in effect until March of 1966. The October, 1946 issue of the Jaguar Journal reported: At the present there are 246 boys and 276 girls enrolled in the school making a total of 522 students. This is a grand school now, but after it is completed, no better school will be found, not only in this state, but in any other as well.”

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Service through Organizations msfumiii mmmm Unity Among the Student Body Achievement in Academics MICHAB. FALLS CHURCH

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As the students in ’45 established tradition and honor, so, too, did we add to our heritage. The thrill of newness is gone, but the lasting feeling of tradition has lingered. In 21 years the size of Falls Church High has changed considerably. Class¬ rooms, a new library, cafeteria, a gym, and audi¬ torium have been added. Using these facilities are 1,466 students. The 1965-1966 school year opened as cheer¬ leaders, on their lofty perches at the Hillwood En¬ trance, greeted the students in song, lifting spirit and enthusiasm for all. This is the Year” posters, bulletin boards, and bumper stickers prophesied the greatest year in Jaguar history. On September 9, a history-making bonfire burned for two days. Using a class competition idea, each grade tried to bring in more wood than the other. It was a close race, but the Sophomores won. The Student Council Association took unprece¬ dented steps in improving the school, as well as in¬ stilling in students a deeper appreciation of it. In February the S.C.A. sponsored a Pride Assembly, acquainting students with the traditions that have been passed down, and the importance of spirit in sportsmanship, honor, and scholarship. This year’s yearbook has much the same ob¬ jectives as the one twenty-one years ago,” says ’66 Jaguar editor, Pat Dietrich. The book has been expanded from 72 pages to more than 200 pages. The athletic teams proved to be a source of pride this year. The gridders compiled a 3-7 record, the best in 10 years. Wrestling ’65-’66 nearly be¬ came the only undefeated team in the history of F.C.H.S. Only W-L marred the record by handing them a loss in the last match of the season. Who could ever forget this year’s basketball season? Long remembered will be the record of 17-3, with all 3 losses at the hands of Woodson. Honor Systems and Honor Codes were still be¬ ing discussed after 21 years. An S.C.A. committee was set up to study the Honor Code and a more practical one was devised. As a member of the student body of Falls Church High, I take upon myself the responsibility of acting in such a manner as to reflect my personal honor and bring esteem to my school.” This new code was voted on by the students and passed by a 90 per cent majority. FALLS CHURCH HIGH SCHOOL 1945—1966 TODAY FALLS CHURCH HIGH i SCHOOL it 1 II b f ! I ' pw ! iuaiiesL f. im