Granite City High School - Warrior Yearbook (Granite City, IL)

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» Teach ing has been a very inter- esting experience along with being very enjoyable. It has been said you learn from your ex- periences and the same goes with teaching. When I came to Granite I expected one year to be good. I ended up staying 28 years. There has been a lot of talk of how kids have changed in the last 25 years, but I don ' t think so. I think the kids are as nice as ever. I have enjoyed my 29 years of coaching at Granite City South. I have many memories I will cherish all of my life. 25-YEARS 9

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by Ellen Pistone and Lori Forrest H WANTED for 25 years of dedication and service Could you imagine teaching for a auarter of a century? Here at Granite City Hign School South, a student can talk to any one of nine teachers who have celebrated tneir silver an- niversary in the teaching profession. Much has changed since 1958 at South. Among one of those changes is the name of the high school itself. What is known as South” was once referred to as Granite City High school and also as Granite City Senior High School. Twenty-five years ago in the days of saddle oxfords, horn-rimmed glasses ana crew cuts, 1500 students attended this high school. The January and June graduates were in separate areas of the senior section of the yearbook. Miss Lucy Parrish was in charge of publishing the Warrior yearbook. Juniors sponsored the Senior Prom and attended an annual boat ex- cursion on the Admiral. The sophomore class of 1958 was the largest ever to enter Granite City High School. The freshman class was non-existant at this time for the ninth grade was located in Coolidge Junior High School. The 1958 Homecoming theme was Granite High Heaven. The Warriors defeated Pana 33-0 in the Thursday evening Homecoming football game. The Homecoming court con- sisted of Queen Gerry Spurrier and her two attendants, Judith Prewett and Cheryl Squires. May Day was presented by the Physical Education Department. The program, All in the Abstract, came to a close with the crowning of May Day Queen Peggy Wallace and her attendants Helen Hicks and Judy Carey. The sports uniforms may differ from those that are worn today, but the sports themselves were quite similar to those South has now - football, basketball, and baseball. However, soccer, hockey, and girls sports were not yet part of the athletic program. Lettermen jackets have retained their same style for 25 years. William Schmitt and Joe Fedora coached the wrestling Warriors. The previous year Granite City was run ner up in the state wrestling tournament. Another common name, Ricnard Harmon, was coach of the cross country team as he is today. Even though Coach Keitn Parker ' s football Warriors had one of their best seasons offensively and defensively, the final score was never in their favor, and they had a losing year. The Asiatic flu added insult to injury as it struck the team in the middle of the season. Fashions, hairstyles, activities, and sports may have been replaced over the years, but nine familiar faces are here today as they were 25 years ago. They are still here today with the same determination and love for teaching as they had when they began. i 1. Mr. Al Zebio worked as hard 25 years ago as he now does. 2. Miss Helen Kuenstler carefully checks the attendance. 8 25-YEARS

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A quarter of a century sounds like a long time, but it really isn ' t. I feel as if I have taught half the people in Granite City. In many in- stances, I have taught all the members of a family. I can say, without reservation, that working with people has been very satisfying and that I have never been bored one day. “It’s been fun, but a lot of hard work! Yes, I have seen many changes in students, particularly in attitude, but there are still plenty of fine, eager students to teach.” I can remember when teachers sponsored classes and held class parties. When I began teaching, the 8th grade was in the building. I miss the closeness, and the family-like relation between the faculty. The teachers lived in Granite City, now they are spread out. It has been a good place to work. Teaching is an enjoyable career, but after 32 years I think it ' s time to quit. 10 25-YEARS