Francis Joseph Reitz High School - Reflections Yearbook (Evansville, IN)

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Reitz High School stands at the top of a hill, overlooking the eity of Evansville. Our School 5 PJ. Reitz High School would not be here today if it had not been for members of the Centennial School Mothers Club, under the leadership of Mrs. CF. Werner who were concerned with the education of their children. In 1913 Children did not have to attend sehool beyond the sixth grade. Almost oneehalf of the pupils graduating from Centennial Elementary School did not continue in sehool attei that pomt. Grades seven through twelve were only offered at Evansville High School which was located downtown. Many West Side mothers eouldn t afford the street car fare or the lunch money it would take for their children to attend the Uptown School. The mothers wanted a school which would offer seventh and eighth grade with possibly ninth and tenth grades being added later, where their children could complete their edmation tlmer to home. After much deliberation on Januai y 30, 1017, the Superintendent of Schools, LP. Benezet and the school board approved the site of Forest Hills four after the mothers stat ted their drive. No one seemed to question the building being built on top of a honeycomb of underground mine tunnels. The Forest Hills site WdS then eommonly Ivtcriul to aK Coal Mine Hill. The new school would consist of two stories and a basement; brick and stone with fluted columns supporting itx tmnt entrante. unp- The t-irat emnerstnne was laid on Novemlwr 3, 1017. The next day, the Evansville Courier stated, . . . A beautiful building is to be built in one of Natures nohltwt path on an eminente that will eommand a view for miles around. It will be a showcase for the city .., It means that a better, finer manhood and womanhood is to he developed here in the city. The new w luml was named in ltunm ml lldnt ix Joseph Reitz, the city's leading banker and civic benefactor. He was instrumental in the sale of the bonds For the building. He in probably the unlj; person in the United States today having two high schools in the same city bearing his name. W'hen the m hnol ymi opened in 1015 the building was not yet completed. No walks were poured so the students had to walk on planks to keep out Of the mud The only entrant e that k miltl he iN-tl was in the rearr The front steps had not yet been poured. The basement floor was the only one ready so all classea were held there vxu-pt gym, whnh wax held on the hill top where the student parking lot is now located. There were 287 pupils enrolled in the new NtlIOUl. Lighty-tive of these were high school students and 202 were seventh and eighth graders. In 1921, the tint graduating tlass tonxistetl wt 21 etutlvnts. Sinee then, l l, Reitx lllglt chunl has IlHt'n tiom an enrollment of 287 to the 1986 enrollment of 1,345. Stutlentx ilHlxt'Ll hit it And they have it hat L, That ia a Human Relations Club. About twenty-five students met each Tuesday for l the revival ot' one ml the xthtml s ultler tluhs. New members were always welcome. I The eluh sponsoietl a banquet in! the teachers in November and had a tutoring program to help kids around school. Originally the tluh was for blank students only. It was a Club to help them adjust to intergration in a new school. The club has l changed over the yeah and is now a elub for any students interested in helping and understanding others and themselves better. l The color of a person's skin is not important to membership ! First Row: Melody Pfender, Terri 4 Mormon, Second Row: Billie Werner, Ali Ward, Julie Ward, Christine Wag- ner, Sherry Fleming, Third Row: Lynette Lynfers, Cor- etta Hicks, Raqueul Williams, Staci Gibson, Alycia Boston, Shel- ly Hobby, Fourth Row: Mrs. Jackson, Toni Hickman, Maurice Mayes, Candi Sanders, Lee Northington, Demi- tries Crow.

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It Out Panther Pride members just couldn't stop being Peppy for Football Sec- tionals. Panthers! The new Peppy became an important part of Pep Assemblies. Pep Assemblies Spark True Blue Spirit When Pep Assemblies were taken away from area schools, students protested. At Reitz, something was done. Panther Pride was formed. Unlike most organizations, Panw ther Pride works hard but isnit recognized. Buttons, Ban- ners and Peppy the Panther are a few of the things this group has achieved. Unfortunately, all the hard work from Panther Pride, teachers, band members, and cheerleaders has not done as much good as it should. The reason is the poor spirit shown by students. During the few pep assem- blies awarded to us, students sat and laughed at their peers that did their best to get support for the school. Luckily, though, the hard work hasn't failed. During Football and Basketball games, the teams benefitted from their crowds, and thats why all this hard work is done. The cheerleaders, as they traditionally do, led the assem- blies with many dances and cheers.

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Brian Deem re-arranges the hundreds of cans of food which were collected during the Thanksgiving food drive. Turnabout 85 On December 20, 1985 the annual Turnabout dance was held. Turnabout is the chance during the year for girls to ask boys of their dreams out. Many girls spared no expense on their dates, some taking their date to Darylls beforehand. The dance lasted from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm in the cafeteria. The cafeteria was decorated with the Christmas spirit in mind. Santa Claus hats S d T 1 with the couple's names were distributed as party favors. OEA tu ent Dunc 1 members also took pictures of the happy couples in a family scene around the Christmas tree with teddy bears and a rocking H e1ps I e N e e y chair. The D.J., Randy Weber, kept the couples on the dance floor with his amusing actions and marvelous music. His music ranged from the Reitz tradition Rocky Top to the hottest songs PEOple HEQd p60p16, StUdent COUHCil members thOUght that of1985. and held their annual can drive for needy families. The school supported the needy by bringing about 2,900 cans to school. The cans went 52 families and to the Rescue Mission, a group special- izing in help to the homeless. Mrs. Koch's first period geometry class was the overall winner with 777 cans. Mr. Freece's room won on the second floor and Mr. Haygood's room won on the first floor. The winners received a donut party. The Student Council was very pleased with the results. Brad Toone uses muscle power to stack boxes of cans of food for the needy. Sherri Flick and Clint Lauderdale do the Rocky-Top at Turnabout.