Gateway High School - Portavian Yearbook (Monroeville, PA)

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 Jth ANNIVERSARY25th ANNIVERSARY 25th ANNIVERSARY PICTURES (page 8) Left, top to bottom: Fin- nates synchronized swimming team, 1961-62: “Diary of Anne Frank” performed by the Senior Class of 1964; Presentation of diploma by Principal Yarnel. 1960. Above, top to bottom: 1965 cheerleader leading basketball fans with cheer “Gators are the best! Yes!”; 1961-64 basketball team. 8 Anniverury

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«arrarum 64 the 60’s 25 th ANNIVERSARY25th ANNIVERSARY portavian Amtmifary 7 5th ANNIVERSARY PICTURES (Page 7) Top: Pep Rally, 1963; Stu- dent uses new chemistry equipment, 1959-60; Gator mascot of the 1962-63 school year. Middle: 1963 Prom As Time Goes By.” Bot- tom: Silver platter presented to Gateway's AFS student, 1968; Band members of the 1966 marching season.” The early 1960's provided the students with many additions to the extra-curricular program, enabling them to jump on the bandwagon of youthful involvement which seemed to be taking the nation by a storm after Kennedy entered the Presidency. Everything was being built up or renewed: the Gateway stadium, with seating for 2700, was opened and the class A A football team was ready to start serious competition; the school paper, the Alphalite, was admitted to the national rating society for high school newspapers; and, a student committee desingned the official class ring for the school. Organizations for every possible interest were being created as fast as the need for them arose, and soon, the Future Homemakers of America, the Biology club, and the pep club appeared on the scene. Baseball and wrestling opened up their programs on the heels of a major Gateway athletic first: the 1961 boys swim team had the distinction of being the first to send representatives to statewide competitions. The desire to be involved spread to interaction with other schools as well. The SGA hosted the 1962 Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils Convention, while the marching band hosted All-State Band, with participants from 103 Western Pennsylvania schools that same year. Gateway entered the decade with a roar — motivation was high as were expectations, and the student body couldn V wait to live up to each and every goal they had set.

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p the 60’s 25th ANNIVERSARY 25th ANNIVERSARY 25 th ANNI VERS At PICTURES (page 9) Top, left to right: Golf team during a 1960 tournament: Classroom activities — foreign language de- partment, 1960. Middle: “New Wing” construction, 1966. Bot- tom, clockwise from upper left: Shopwork, 1967; Sculptress dem- onstrates her skills in the Art Department, 1969; Bus line-up at the new “New Wing1968. The latter half of the decade was highlighted by major athletic victories, including a section title for the baseball team, a WPIAL title for the golf team, two section championships for the boys basketball team, a West Penn Conference title for track, and a A A title for the undefeated 1969 Gator football team. The world’s mood was rebellious and there were a few evident “stgns of the times” at Gateway, too. The most publicized was the Dress Code issue resulting in a student walkout and subsequent school board intervention in 1969. Also, SGA sponsored a clothing and money drive for the bene- fit of those people uprooted by the Vietnam War, and everyone aided in making the project successful. Chess Club, Ski Club, National Honor Soci- ety, and Stamp Club were organized, and the memorable student body social events were the “Sig- nature Swing” in 1968 and the first Homecoming in 1969. The “Swing” was set up on a Friday night and its purpose was to get as many signatures in your yearbook as possible. Tables were organized in the gym and student response was great. Homecoming was very elaborate, including a bonfire, pep rally, fireworks, am. the first parade, held at the Monroeville Mall. As the 1960’s came to a close. Gateway celebrat- ed its 10th anniversary; the graduating classes in- creased in size from those early years by more than 10%; the library and cafeteria were expanded, and the planetarium was constructed; and Principal Yarnel moved on. being replaced by Principal Peers. Gateway was ready to start the new decade, leaving the old one behind except for some great memories. Anmyertary 9