Gateway High School - Portavian Yearbook (Monroeville, PA)

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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

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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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h ANNIVERSARY 25th ANNIVERSARY 25th ANNIVERSARY PICTURES (page 10) Clockwise from immediate right: Marquis; Girls’ gymnastics, 1971-72; Wrestling match, 1973; One of the many science students at Gateway, 1970-71. GATEWAY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1974 HOMECOMING AGENDA OCT 10 PARADE 6 30 MONROEVILLE MALL BONFIRE 8 P.M. OCT II GATORS VS N.A. TIGERS 8 00 ANNIHILATE NORTH ALLEGHENY! O CT 12 HOMECOMING DANCE 8-jl PM The 1970’s had the same intensity and energetic flow for which the 1960’s were famous. However, m the 70’s, all of those energies were directed inward instead of outward, and thus began what would be known as the “me generation. ” The last of the Apollo moonflights was completed in 1972, finishing a program that had made possible twelve moon walks and countless advances in technology. Unfortunately, the nation’s eyes were turned downward quite soon with news of the “ Watergate Scandal”, which led to the eventual resignation of President Richard Nixon and the imprisonment of several top White House officials. As if to “clean up their act”, start over and attempt renewal, Americans turned to health crazes. Everyone sought to become a “total person ”; and the women’s liberation movement, health salons, and self-improvement programs fourished. fogging and racquetball became the fads, and everyone was reading labels to determine “caloric values” and “cholesterol intake,” whatever all of that meant. The year 1976 marked the nation’s bicentennial, and special commemorative coins, flags, posters, and everything else were the hot items on the market. However, real patriotism rallied together when, in 1979, about 60 Americans were taken hostage in Iran. The media coverage was tremendous, and millions of people tied yellow ribbons around the trees in their front lawis to show support for their kinsmen held captive in a small country that was rapidly grabbing everyone’s attention. So, though the individuals both at Gateway and elsewhere were struggling to become the best they could be, they were also able to come together to fight a common foe and unite for a common cause. The beginning of the 1970’s was marked by the additon of many new electives allotted for Gateway. Several English, science and math courses were added to enable the students to make their schedules much more well-rounded, encouraging learning on a broader, more diverse level so that more could be gained from it. But, learning wasn’t the only thing undergoing changes. In 1972, a bit of harmless rebellion caused a very organized protest of the high prices and formal attire of the annual prom. Over 100 students assembled on prom day at Cloverleaf Golf Course to hold the first official “Non-Prom Open. ” Between the Prom and Non-Prom goers, there were 960 students absent that day. Athletics were still a vital force at Gateway, and at the end of 1972 the Hockey team was formed. Later that same year, the Gateway gridiron force succeeded in winning their second Class A A crown by beating Jeannette 20-0. Another startling athletic first was the 1974 formation of the intramural ping-pong league that had play-off tournaments in the spring. So, students at Gateway were fortunate enough to be supported in their educational and social desires for individual distinction, and they achieved them with style, class, and a little bit of humor. 10 Anmvtrfdry