North High School - Polar Bear Yearbook (Des Moines, IA)

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North ' s Declining Enrollment 1960-1975 and Drama Departments presented Bye Bye Birdie ' Above: Child Care was a new class in- troduced in 1975. Right: Steve Larson (middle) was the first receive a 4-year Scholarship from The years 1960-1970 were the so-called care-free years. Peo- ple depended on each other and worked together to achieve goals and pleasures. There was a sense of pride as students and faculty worked together. The many clubs offered the student opportunities for developing leadership, friendships and character. Some were Drama Club, Judicial Board, Inter-City Council, Foreign Exchange, Pep Kadets, and Flag Twirlers, Dolphins, and Letterman ' s Club. The first couple years of the 70 ' s, individualism became impor- tant and was stressed not only in school, but outside of school. Peo- ple became concerned for themselves as opportunities to express their feelings grew in number. Lowering of the voting age is one ex- ample. Participators were few. Enrollment certainly had played its part. In 1965, enrollment was 1500. In two years, several factors en- forced a change. With the completion of Hoover High in 1967, m prospective North students enrolled at Hoover. Also, boundary A changes compelled more students to attend East. North exists in an older part of town with little room for new housing. A large share of the homes are occupied by retired persons. Whether North lives or dies, lies in the hands of the School Board, administration, and parents. During the early 1970 ' s many new courses were introduced to provide for individual interests with an emphasis on career educa- tion. Some are Creative Writing, Journalism Graphics, Semantics, Public Issues, Music Theater, and AFJROTC. © Group efforts did not totally die out in the 70 ' s. The North High Band spent eight days in Hawaii in 1972, and performed in the 100th annual King Kamehameha Day Celebration. The trip was made possible by a personal invitation from the Govenor of Hawaii. ■ They were so well received that they received an open invitation to I return, which they did in 1975. The 1970-1971 basketball season was one of sadness and I success. In mid-December the teams coach, Jimmy Lyle, died of a I heart attack but the Comeback Kids , as they were known, finished the season with a 20 win — 3 loss record. The 1974 football team, with an 8-1 record earned the right to compete in the state playoffs. Girls ' atheletics became more evident, with the starting of basket- ball, track, and softball. 1. I960— John F. Kennedy took office. 2. 1964— Vietnam War began. 3. 1969 — Man steps on the Moon. 4. 1971 -Voting age lowered. 5. 1974-The Watergate trials.