Gettys D Broome High School - Medallion Yearbook (Spartanburg, SC)

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Then The Building, o Broom High School Alma Mater At the foothills of the mountains, 'neath the sky of blue Proudly stands our Alma Mater, loyal, brave, and true. When we leave Broome's hallow'd hallways may we then recall The example set before us, learn- ing truth for all. Chorus: Dear Broome High, our Alma Mater, stand and never fail May this ever be our motto; Conquer and Prevail! Along with the completion of the physical facilities came the establishing of traditions at Broome High School — traditions that help make Broome a unique school. 4 Prologue

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First The Foundation, In the spring of 1974, workmen were busily clearing the land to start on the foundation of Broome High School. It took long hours and hard work to prepare the unyielding landscape for the new building. Finally, the build- ing, which was a two year pro- ject, was completed and on August 24, 1976, the students moved into the new school to start a bright new year and to set Broome's unique traditions. One of the first and most prominent traditions begun at the new school was the use of the Centurion mascot. Before the new high school opened, a committee was selected from both Cowpens and Pacolet High Schools. This committee was given a list of mascots. They then voted for their favorite and the majority of the votes fell on the Centurion soldier and on a knight. The Centurion won the run-off election and the colors of blue and silver were chosen. When Coach Dalton Rivers joined the staff at Broome in the fall of 1977, the colors changed to the blue and gold that have become indigenous to Broome. Ring Day ceremony has also become a tradition at Broome High School. After the unyielding landscape was cleared, workmen dug and leveled the land in order to pour the founda- tion of the new building. Unfamiliar mounds of dirt filled the scene as the gym, weightroom, and the locker rooms finally were con- structed. Prologue 3

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And Now The Tradition It began in 1978, two years after the school was opened. The rising senior class was given the option of getting their rings over the summer of having the afternoon free. The rising seniors voted to have the ring ceremo- ny, and ever since, all seniors have been taking advantage of this special moment. Another tradition begun early in Broome's existence was the singing of its Alma Mater during the pep rallies and ballgames. During the first year of Broome, there was no Alma Mater but work quickly began in Septem- ber of 1977. Phillip Bailey, Marga- ret Birt, and Roger Cox were the composers. Perhaps one of the most pop- ular and most enjoyed tradition- al activities held at Broome each year is Heart Day which is celebrated on Valentine's Day. It takes time to establish tradi- tions. Yet even in these first six years of the school's existence, students have entrenched cer- tain activities into Broome's very core. With the coming of each class, the number of Broome's cherished traditions grows and expands. First the foundation, then the building, and now — the tradi- tioni Lori Cody take grammar notes in Coach Mack's second period English class. Cheryl Davis and Tony Mitchell sit in the warm sun in the courtyard as they talk about the day's events. Prologue 5