Gratz High School - Gratzonian Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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SCHUUL-III HETRUSPEIIT HT US turn hack thc forward marching hands of t' . . ' 1 une to the year of September, 1927. The construction of a new' institution of learning had been completed. and its doors were opened to students from the Germantown. Central and North- east High Schools. The building was our own Simon Gratz High School, named for one of l'hiladel l 'z ' ' ' ' ' ' ' p ni s most cnnncnt scholars and citizens, and erected in his memory. On Armistice llay. 1928. dedication services were held. and Mr. Vvilliam Dick. secretary of the Board of lflducation, otliciatcd at the exercises. This was an in!- portant occasion. for, as guest speakers were present such distinguished men as Dr. Edwin C. Broome. Superintendent of Schools, and Mr. VVilliam Itowen, presi- dent of thc lioard of liducation. Gratz is pleasing to the eye outwardly because of its beautiful Gothic archi- tecture. and inwardly because of its spacious halls and many sunlit classrooms. Here we sec rooms for all the academic subjects. for the speedy. noiseless click of the typing classes, for the pursuit of scientific knowledge and experiments, and for individual creative work in art. The school is also equipped with two gymuasiums. one for boys, the other for girls. two student lunchrooms, a teachers' dining room. a large auditorium, a library, and seven locker rooms for the convenience of the pupils. At the head, of an n . , s rr HISIIICSS, industry or education. it is essential to have a leader. in the case of a school, a principal. The Board of Education appointed as principal of Simon Gratz, J. Elwood Calhoun. whose task it was to organize the faculty and student body into a smooth working force. 'l'his he accomplished within a comparatively short period. and the result v smooth running organization be it fi l ' MAIN OFFICPI MAIN OFFICE Nine

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M A I N E XTR A NC E ,1 AUDITORIUM 'l'EAl'H ERS' l.l'Nl'H ROOM Eight

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LIBRARY was thc necessary coordination which makes for a successful school life. ive owe, indeed. a great deal to the quick thinking and precision of Mr. Calhoun. It was a great shock to the entire school. when on the morning of Tuesday, February 8, 1938, we learned of the death of our beloved principal, an untimely death which took him from the circle of his loving' family and friends, but he has left with us an indelible impression of kindness. sincerity and nobility of character. Assigned to teaching positions in Gratz were one hundred and fifteen instruc- tors of various subjects. At present. we still have with us a number of the original faculty. ive have with us four of ou.r original department hcadsg namely, Dr. M. llarid Hoffman. linglish Department: Ur. lfllmer Ulrich, Science Department: Mr. Clarence Garbrick. Mathematics llepartment. and Mr. Frederick Crispin. Mechanical Arts Department. The others arc. Mr. Stanley Birath. who assumed his duties as Head of the Commerce Department, after the department's former head. llr. 141. Carl VVerner had been promoted to the principalship of the Penn Treaty Junior lligh Schoolg Mr. Harry Snyder. Physical Education Department! Miss Annabel Turner. head of the Art Department. and Miss Jessie Evans. head of the History Department. Gratz is fortunate. for in selecting' llr. H. Carl VVerner as our new principal. the Board of Education made it possible for us to become acquainted with an old friend and former Gratzonian. Very soon after his arrival, Dr. Yverner proved his fairness and ability as a leader. and he has done much toward the improvement of our system. Perhaps. one of the greatest achievements of the school is thc student govern- ment. under the capable guidance of Mrs. Marion VVallace. Through the years. this governing body has developed and expanded to the benefit of both teachers and pupils. Since its introduction, the student government has increased its ac- tivities by a sizeable proportion. and has had with it the constant good will and direction of Mrs. Vllallace. as well as the enthusiastic support of the student body. Notable. too. are our dramatic achievements. It has been the custom to present each year. a musical entertainment known as Gala Night. The first of these pro- ductions was written in 1928, by Mr. Gerhard Angermann. member of the English faculty. and the review was such a success that it was decided to continue the practice in the future, This spring. the semi-ammal i'Gala Night. was replaced 'Ten MACHINE SHOP