John F Kennedy High School - Universe Yearbook (San Antonio, TX)

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CELEBR TI G 2.5 YEARS Kennedy Family Visits Among Eondest Memories ohn P. Kennedy High School opened its doors for the first time in September of i g 1963. After years of seeing an open field overgrown with weeds, the lot becamethe site of the newest school in the district. The community wait- ed and watched anxiously as the foundation was laid and the building began to take shape. Students waited for the new borderline to be drawn up deter- mining who would attend classes at the new builds ing. The selecting of the Rockets as the new mascot, and the school colors of green and white had special significance. Since the space program was one of john F. Kennedy's main concerns, it was deter- mined that this would be an appropriate theme to inspire the proper school spirit and pride needed. For this was the New Frontier , an age of missiles, satellites and astronauts, and an age that would require great courage and determination. And the school colors reflected the true Irish spirit of the president, a spirit that was evident during his short term in office. Two months after the opening of the school, the students were anticipating a visit from the asth president, He was scheduled to visit San Antonio on a. whirlwind campaign tour of the state ofTexas. The board had requested that during his visit he dedicate this first school in the nation to be named after him. His schedule did not allow for this, but he promised to return the following spring. Two days later, in Dallas, the president was shot while cam- paigning in the city. He died on November 22, 1963. It was not until 1981 that the late presidents brother, Senator Edward Kennedy, was able to ful- fill that promise. It was a glorious day for the stu- dents andthe community, and one that will long be remembered. Through the years, the school has had a long history of special celebration. Being the first school in the nation named after a president while he was in office, brought much notoriety and publicity to the campus. The Kennedy family charisma that gripped the world in the early 196O's, lingered for many years afterward, and affected life on our carn- pus. i Many of these events received nationwide public- ity through the years. On November 22, 1975, a group of students and teachers visited the Kennedy Memorial in Dallas to commemorate the anniversa- Anniversary f A2 . at Senator Edward Kennedy arrives on campus for dedi cation ceremonies. ry of the death of the president. In 1976, a delega- tion visited his tomb at Arlington National Cerne- tery in Washington, D.C. 1.980 brought a vissitijfrorn Mrs. Ethel Kennedy, and the same year saw several students present at the dedication of the Kennedy Library in Massachusetts. Needless to say, JFK has had its share of publicity and has been inthe limelight through its 25 glori- ous years. For thespirit and pride that began with the first school day back in 1963, has continued and made of our school one of the best.

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We 54' ,, ,ll 'W W. is . N Top Left: Oh, my God, I finally won! exclaims Kathy De La Vega. Top Right: That's my Babe, exclaims Rey. You don't have a chance, Terry, says Heather Whitaker Sweetheart

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013 SPECIAL MEMGRIES Hz QV, 2- 414 f'- ,J Students present wreath at the Kennedy Memorial in Dallas, 1976. during ef'- her visit to the campus. 'A 'A Q Q 4 5 ln rn .. :- 2 75 fb :J :v FD sn. -4 D3 n. Q. 51 FD Ui U7 fb U3 Q I SL 1 w - C ' ? :s .. ln 2 ' Anniversary