North Central High School - Northerner Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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' ---. . .4 4, -v-so-.-,,, -, 'gt s--' - - -- - Y, 4 v-so ..,,,. , -. ' t . , ...f.. .11 1 7- 1'.1'? , , ,.., . . Q -. -.,... - ,., I ,. ,, x , .vvs .-- .1-. it -- . . . .. sv' t 4 fy -' v V, IT ALL BEGAN . . . long before the first pupil entered the doors of North Central on opening day. It began with a dream in the minds and hearts of Washington Township par- ents. But the dream stage soon passed and a multi-million dollar building began to rise in the field that once was overgrown with weeds. Getting a new school started was a terrific job. Financing, selecting an architect, approving plans, hiring administrators and teachers, decid- ing on the curriculum, buying equipment, and a myriad of other details had to be settled. Somehow or other it was all accomplished and on September 5 the doors opened as scheduledg even though B wing, the cafeteria, the audito- rium, gym, and several other sections were still unfinished. Registration exceeded expectation since only 950 were anticipated, and actually, 1083 boys and girls enrolled. The Iirst few months were made hectic by competition with bulldozers outside, and pneu- matic hammers inside. But gradually the unin- ished parts of the building were completed, classes moved into permanent quarters, and North Central settled down into its role as the newest high school in Marion County. Interviews with teachers took up much of Mr. Light's time during the summer. The school board had directed that he obtain the best possible teachers for the new faculty and the task took a long time George Oberle was a successful applicant. 1 -Q52 - K ?xfw32zgQreiE: m 2s,g - - V . A ' Eiselllziilfiifyi Ei f' - Mr. Everett Light, Superintendent of Schools in the Nletropolitan School District, Washington Township, Mrs. Ruth Davis, Board of Education member, Mr. Dean B. Smith, Mrs. Selma Pond, president of the North Central Triangle Club, A. H. Gardner, president of the Board of Education, and Mr. Kenneth Foster. Early registrants, accompanied by parents, talked to Dr. Gene Schwilk, Director of Student Personnel, concerning subjects to be taken. Mrs. A. C. Iilles and Sandy were among those who consulted him during the summer months.

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,gn je Eginning . . . Parents were canvassed in a fund drive to launch the school building program. Larry and his mother, Mrs. Claude Warren, were delighted when Mr. Robert Hammer told them the new high school would soon be built. Students dodged bulldozers and bypassed piles of rubbish on the Way into the building past the uncompleted theater. fffcrrlerj Chuck Harrison, Marilyn Knocbcl, and Sandy Jaeklin wondered if B wing Cornerstone laying for the new school was a momentous occasion at- tended by parcnts and future students on May 4, 1956. Mr. Kenneth Foster, president of the Washington Township-Marion County School Building Corporation, gave one of the speeches while Mr. A. Hamilton Gardner, president of the Board of Education, and Mr. Dean B. Smith, principal of North Central High School, looked on. would ever be ready for occupancy. fRigbU In those early days, this view of the theater gave no hint of what would later be a beauti- ful, colorful auditorium for student and community use. M ll

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Miss Geraldine Bagby, junior girls' counselor, advised Brenda Williain- son about her schedule. Six persons assisted pupils in planning their four-year programs and in choosing future vocations. Their concern was to help boys and girls make better adjustments in their school lives. n id ur THE FIRST YEAR . . . was probably the most exciting that would ever be experienced in any school, by either pupils or faculty. And when it was all over, everyone was amazed at how much had been accom- plished. From a half-finished building to a smooth-running organization was the record made in less than nine months. Perhaps the most difficult task lay in the necessity for molding into a North Central student body, boys and girls whose loyalties were deep-rooted in other schools. But eventually it became our school, not the way we did it at . . . I Loyal North Centralites emerged from the melting pot. Pupils at the new school were under much pressure for they had to get accustomed to an entirely new faculty, different routines and regulations, longer class periods, and numerous other changes from their former school patterns. Faculty and administration Were under similar pressure. But together all accom- plished the Herculean task of establishing the Wash- ington Township high school-North Central. gimf earl , . . Everything we did was new this year. We 1TlCt an entriely new faculty, Cobina Feracane, and their guests enjoyed intermission at the Valen- we made new friends at dances and other social aifairs: we chose tine dance. fRigl9!'Q Terry ,Martin and Linda Parrish admired the colors, mascots, and songs. ffxffj Jean Guldager and Betty Rabinowitz North Central Panther mascot which traveled regularly to games with greeted Miss julia Morrow on opening day. fCr'nlr'rQ Sherry Sutton, its owner.