Gateway High School - Portavian Yearbook (Monroeville, PA)

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Gateway: 25 Years in Retrospect 25th ANNIVERSARY 25th ANNIVERSARY 25th PICTURES Page 4 left: Coronation Ball Ting and Queen, 1938. above: Studenti participating in one of the many dances held m 95 -59; Biology club, 95 -59; Rifle clui member practicing, 95 -59. Page 5 left: Faculty, 955-59; 95 Football lineup, right: newls installed fountain in the art department courtyard for painting and sketching. 4 Anniversary (cfcuvC, (aterOaif ottv alv a n ater, ufee over (ode so true, hide'll (fondmemories anddreams of oiu lev yffilS . raise ande iof t( ee, to iluf colors jQ+ C Jrue reference, dor ifee, ( T)earo urt Hitewdifdliq c7 6

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Y 25th ANNIVERSARY 25th ANNIVERSARY 25th ANNIVERS. There is more to any school than the bricks and mortar makmg up the shell; but every heart and soul is contained within a body, and the body that holds Gateway’s heart and soul — the building — was first thought of in the mid-1950’s. At that time, Pitcairn and Monroeville were two separate school districts, with Pitcairn High School serving one, and nearby private schools available for the other on a tuition basis. Then, following the districts’ merger, plans for the necessary joint senior high school were initiated in February of 1956. By January of the following year, groundbreaking had begun, and the new school board selected the name “Gateway. ” This choice was brought about by the fact that the Pennsyl- vania Turnpike was nicknamed “Gateway to the East”; and since Monroeville was destined to become a major turnpike junction point, the name seemed appropriate and it stuck. Dedication of the new senior high was on November 15, 1959, and the first 196 seniors graduated in June of that same year. By 1965, increased enrollment made expansion to the six year old school necessary, and the “new wing” was completed in 1967. Gateway V first principal, Dr. Eugene Yarnel, remembers those hectic, early days of the new school fondly, stating in an interview that the element which impressed him the most was the tremendous school spirit. The handbook, which includes the standard operating procedures of Gateway, was compiled by SGA members, as was the once strict dress code. Almost all of the rules were created and maintained by the students. There was a real desire to become involved, he added, telling how clubs, organizations and extracurricular activities really thrived during those new years. Though Gateway is no longer new, school spirit is hardly a thing of the past. Today, over 30 school sponsored clubs flourish and continue the trends of excellence started twenty- five years ago. Today’s students are free to express their talents and abilities athletically, artistically, and educationally with various organizations dealing in their particular field of inter- est. School pride is generated by accomplishments, and looking back on the list of great ones that our school has had in the past, every student will agree that everyone associated with Gateway Senior High has a right to be proud. PICTURES Clockwise from upper left: Student Council Planning Committee; New classrooms seen at night; Review- ing blueprints; Dr. Eugene B. Yarnel; Construction — 1957; Original Floor Plans; Gateway stadium as seen when the school opened. Anniversary ?

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25th ANNIVERSARY25th ANNIVERSARY 25th Every group is defined by common goals — something to unite and distinguish them from all others. Here at Gateway, that definition can be found m everything. Even the names of some of our clubs — Portavian and Portal to be exact — arc translated to mean “Gateway. ” Another place to find those ideals is the Gateway seal. Established m 1958 by SGA. the seal, imprinted on official letterheads and class rings, consists of a lion surrounded by the school motto — scholarship, leadership, and sportsmanship. The lion represents learning which, above all, is Gateway’s purpose: it is a place where we may learn. However, that learning is not limited to the knowledge obtained from studies, which is “scholarship”; it also includes the awareness and strengthening of self, which must come from within. This “inner learning ” aids in fulfilling the next goal: “leadership. ” It is a goal everyone can achieve, for everyone has a unique ability he or she can be the best at. It is Gateway’s aim to aid each student in recognizing that ability and achieving excellence. . The third ideal is “sportsmanshipwhich may mean losing not defeated, or winning and not allowing yourself to rest on that victory but to continue your success. These goals of the seal become the goals of every Gateway student, and the pride of living up to those worthy objectives is something that is expressed before every home football game when the crowd stands for the A Ima Mater. Originally, when there were two school districts, there were two Alma Maters: one for Monroeville and one for Pitcairn. However, when the districts merged, so did the song, and today's version, with music by Brahms, is a compromise of both, capturing the best of each. The late 1950’s were eventful throughout the world, peppered with social and scientific breakthroughs. Gateway had breakthroughs of its own, too. Everything was fresh and never before done. New clubs, new teams, new activities — new everything! So, when tn March of 1958 the U.S. satellite Explorer III was launched, it realty could have symbolized the launching of the new high school. By September of ’58, when Gateway’s doors first opened, teen ulol Elvis Presley had been drafted. “Dear Abby” was a regular syndicated newspaper feature, and the U.S.S.R.’s Krusches was planning a visit to the U.S. The new school was not wasting any time, and almost immediately a majorette squad: a cheerleading squad; a band; a choir; and bowling, basketball, track, swimming, and football teams were formed. While Alaska and Hawaii were being named states and Gigi was sweeping the Academy Awards, Gateway had its first Coronation Ball, themed “Bah Ha’i,” sponsored a March of Dimes fundraiser, and had its first school play. The new year had started and new plans were already in the making. Three assemblies, the first annual Kennywood picnic, and baseball fever brought on by the trouncing of Chicago by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series preceded commencement in May. For Gateway, the graduation was marked with optimism and high hopes for continued growth and success as real as the first years had been. Anniversary 5