North High School - Polaris Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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JF.SSIF. P. ABBOT1 English STELLA |. ADAMS English HARRIET AUSTIN History T. W. BRI CKHEIMI K Industrial .Iris JOSEPH J. BROM Mathematics ETHELYN J. BROS Art ADDA BROWN Com men ial GEORGIA A. BURGESS English GRACE C. BUSACK Art R. A. CRAWFORD Commercial ETHEL P. CRITTENDEN English ALICE ;. DAVIDSON English PERLEY A. DAVIS Science L. ELEF.N DENNING Physical Education JEAN DRUM Science 11 ELEN F. EAYRS Home Economics LUCY 11. EDQU1ST Social Science PAULINE E. FARSETH loinguage FLORENCE A. FELT History I lOMER I.. FETZER Industrial Arts ELIZABETH II. FOSS Science ELMER L.GADBOIS Music PETER GAUN language AGNES GI-ASOI English MARION R. GOULD English MARY GOULD History ISTIIER 0, HALL Language MINNIE O. HANSON English MABLE R. HART Mathematics ESTHER HAVESON Physical Education GLADYS L HOBBS English SEVI RENA C. IIOLMBERG Commercial IRENE I IOLMBERG Science MATHILDA E. HOLT Language CAROLINE IIORSCII English l: • Faculty

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North High School, ittyo-iy North High, which has hail a unique history, is celebrating its forty-fifth anniversary. In that time it has risen from a remote branch school of thirty-five pupils to become the largest high school in the northwest. Although a difference of nearly three hundred years separates the two schools, North was founded with as little backing and as few pupils as the Boston Latin school. Regardless of the difference of time and circumstances, the principles of education inculcated by this first school have become further developed by our own. Despite the fact that it has far exceeded the dreams of its founders, North High of Kxlay has not even yet reached its peak as an educational center. To summarize the growth of our school is to relate the history of the North side. About 1875, North High school was created in the minds of the more far-seeing residents of the district as they looked over the scattered homes sheltered by great oak trees. Previous to this time, high school pupils living on the North side were compelled to attend Central High. This, of course, meant a journey of many miles, mostly on foot, as the horse car service on Washington Avenue was poor. These broadminded citizens looked into the future, and so was conceived a dream which centered around their half-grown children. Their dream was the building of a high school, and the influential men of the community convinced the Board of Education of the necessity of such a school. So at last North High became a reality. In January of 1889, thirty-five high school pupils and three teachers took over the new building. This structure was the present Logan school, the third floor of which was devoted to high school purposes. Teachers and pupils alike worked earnestly to im- prove their school. In 1891 the first class was graduated. It was a proud moment for Mr. Greer, the first principal, as he granted diplomas to the “sweet sixteen of that graduating class. The members of that class had completed three different courses: five were graduates of the Latin course, seven of Literature, and four of English. The following year a new principal came to North, as Mr. Greer went to Central. Mr. Hobbs, the new school head, has since-given forty-two years of his life to the service of our community. North High of today, undoubtedly one of the finest high schools in the United States, stands as a monument to his enduring ability, patience, and self-sacrifice. The rapidly increasing enrollment at North High soon necessitated a new building, and in October, 1896, a new school was completed. Occupying its present site, the new building seemed very impressive to the early residents. By this time, many new courses had been introduced. Now the pupils could receive instruction in manual training, music, science, cooking, sewing, and art, in addition to the academic-subjects. Also, in 1901, an inexpensive lunch service was introduced at North. Our school took its place as an equal of the other high schools in Minneapolis. During this time, athletics, that factor which still holds the school together with steel bonds of school spirit, Inrcame an organized activity. History was in the making as the stalwart warriors of 1901, 1903, 1904, and 1905 made names for themselves on the football field. Track, football, and baseball immortals grew during these stirring times. But North was not destined to reach the heights in intra-mural interests only. When the Spanish American War broke out, some of our young men enlisted, fought, and died for their country. Sidney l January. IhK9. the North vide pupiU and teacher moved into their tirvt new lniddin ;. Thu vtruc-turc wav the prevent l-o an whool, the third floor of which wav devoted to high whool pur|wise . • 12

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Pratt, the son of a man influential in the creation of the school, was the first North Side boy to give his life. The enrollment here steadily increased after the war ended and additions were under construction when on a morning in June, 1914, the day before commencement, the North Side, in fact the whole city, was aroused by fire sirens. North High was burning. The flames raged all day and when at last the fire had been extinguished, two firemen had lost their lives and the building was in ruins. Contrary to custom, the graduating exercises were held on Friday at West High. Fortunately for North, Central was just moving into new quarters and our classes could be held in the old Central building. Immediately, however, the rebuilding of the school was begun and by January, 1915, commencement exercises were held in our own auditorium. Everything progressed smoothly until in 1917, America was drawn into the World War. North again played an important part in the struggle. Active as ever, our school supported Red Cross work and gave many young men to the cause. Seventeen students and graduates were killed in service. After the World War ended, our school began to grow by leaps and bounds until enrollment fairly taxed the building for room. Despite the addition of the west wing, other measures had to be used. Junior Highs were built to relieve the pressure of ninth graders. Still the fl x)d of education-seeking young people poured into North until a policy of keeping some sophomores at Junior Highs had to be adopted. The highest enrollment North has had was 3450 in 1952, and at the present time, if the tenth graders attending Junior Highs were to be counted, we would have the same number. To satisfy the demands for different types of work, new subjects were introduced at North. The character of three of these new courses, the music, the creative writing, and the commercial, will be explained by the speakers to follow. To say that we, the graduating class of January, 1935, appreciate the efforts of Mr. Hobbs, Mr. Greer, Mr. Gates, and all the others instrumental in the growth of North, is unnecessary. Sacrifices such as they have made cannot be repaid with mere words. The only true recompense we can ever make is to fulfill their dreams for us, and to be as eager to better our community as they were theirs. Commencement s| ecch of George Faust, January “A Senior President. NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN MUSIC Our present department of music is a far cry from the original one. Among the new organizations introduced in our vocal department is the A Capella Choir, which has won much praise. No doubt, many of you have enjoyed hearing this splendid group sing. The choirs of a number of our northside churches are composed principally of former North High choir members. Two interesting phases of our instrumental department with which you may not be so familiar, are the brass class and the string class which were introduced five years ago. Previous musical training was not then required of those who wished to be admitted to these classes, provided that they had a real desire to learn to play a musical instrument. At that time, the classes had an enrollment of seven, while today they have an enrollment of 318, and as many as 50 to 100 pupils are turned away each semester because it is impossible to accommodate them. The students in the brass class are encouraged to take up the instrument which fits them best. They A Glim MX of the office force chows each one at work: Left to right: Mr . Sandberg. Mies Rittcn, Mrs. Miller. Mr . Pratt, and Mr . Simonson. • it