Mitchell High School - Gold and Blue Yearbook (Mitchell, IN)

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Education For The Space Age Opening Academics Organizations Sports School Life People

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Introducing Mitchell High School, Past And Presents In the early hours of May 29, 1960, Mitchell High School and its contents were destroyed by a raging fire. It was a terrific loss and a grievous day in the Mitchell community. Even before the smoldering ashes cooled, however, the school officials began to plan a well-equipped school system for the future. In the meantime, the Stadium Manufacturing Building was leased and occupied by Mitchell's students and teachers for the years 1960-62. Finally, after considerable thought, the significant first step of choosing the new location for the poten- tial school was made. Mitchell's citizens decided to build on the 16 acres of land owned by the school in Moore Meadow, adjacent to the athletic field. On October 11, 1960, the school board selected E.I. Brown Company, Indianapolis, to serve as architects and engineers for the new ultra-modern educating institution. The board also chose as the general con- tractor, Harbstreit Engineering Corporation, Bedford. Robert F. Calker of Mitchell acted as the attorney for the school. Consultant was Dr. Manfort Barr, Indiana University. The subject of financing the new school domi- nated the minds of school officials through the latter part of 1960 and early 1961. The Mitchell Schools had established a cumulative building fund in 1954, and in 1960 a total of 3151,261.00 was in this fund ready for use. The fire insurance settlement of 3263930.66 was received and 3200,000.00 was set aside for the mod- ernistic structure. A remainder of 363,930.00 was used to repair the damaged Emerson Annex and Cafeteria as well as to purchase new equipment and supplies for the high school. A Bond issue of 349,000.00 was sold to maintain a more stable financial status, in addition, a loan from the Veterans Memorial School Construction Fund of 3204,600.00 was approved. After noteworthy effort, a loan for 3611450.00 was obtained from the Common School Fund. The modern Mitchell High School building was dedicated june 16, 1962, by Captain and Mrs. Virgil I. Grissom. He participated in the cornerstone laying ceremonies at the north corner of the building at the main entrance. Placed in a copper box inside the cornerstone were pictures, a list of .all the Mitchell students at that time, a phone directory, and some Mitchell papers. Virgil Grissom, who graduated from MHS with the class of 1944, had made a successful suborbital flight into outer space in the space ship, Liberty Bell 7, and by that means, he has not only brought great honors to his country with that significant contribu- tion to space-age travel but also to his home communi- ty of Mitchell. Consequently, the newly built educa- tion structure was dedicated as the Virgil I. Grissom junior-Senior High School Building. High-spirited basketball fans crowd concession, stands for refreshing cokes willingly sold by the juniors who will scrimp and save until they have enough money to provide an elegant Prom.