North Mecklenburg High School - Viking Yearbook (Huntersville, NC)

Page 9 text:

4 e. B Members of The Cgunfy Bggrd of Eduqgtion gre Mr, J, VV, Wilson, Superintendent of Mecklenburg County Schools, Mr. W B. McClintock, Chairman, Mr. J. Mason Smith, Mr. Fred A. Cochran, Mr. R. Lacy Ranson, and Mr. J. Murrey Atkins. Certainly there was never a more progressive step taken than that of carrying out the new program of school consolidation and construction in Mecklen- burg County. Mr. J. W. Wilson, Superintendent, along with the Board of Education, conceived a plan to promote the educational welfare of high school students and at the same time relieve the crowded situation in the existing schools. This plan called for the con- struction of three new high school plants which would consolidate the seventeen high schools then in existence. The catch phrase, SUPER HIGH SCHOOLS, was used to carry the idea to the public. Mr. Wilson and the other members of the Board spent many hours ed- ucating each community to the advantages the new super high schools would hold over the others. But there were many who wanted no change and could see no progress in such a step. They feared to lose the high schools from their communities. But planted with patience and understanding, the plan began to take root, and soon the idea was reacted to more favorably. Those who were convinced began to work for the culmination of such a project. Then came the test. . .that of voting for bonds to finance such modern schools. But one need not have had any anxiety, for the foundation had been laid very strongly through the work of the Board. The bond issue passed, and soon the results were visible. Anxiously and with trepidation the students watch- ed the progress-anxious to see that the new idea would bring forth, but fearful of what the change would mean. And now each student who enters North finds that the increased number of subiects taught pre- pares him better for work and for college. He finds the opportunity greater for making friends and learning new people in the county in which he lives. Each student says, The present high schools are better in every way. I wouldn't change North for my old school for anything. That, Mr. Wilson and Board members, is the best tribute that could be paid you and your work. For six years your vision has been a reality-and a very successful one! 5 limit . We J , , fill ii W' V ' Q1 gi

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! E r s Understanding. . .patient. . .compassionate. . . And it is to him with sincere appreciation for and interested in the welfare of each individual is all his efforts to help us tind ourselves and prepare our principal, Mr. WILLIAM A. HOUGH, It is he for a happy and successful future that the 1957 under whose leadership we have been guided to edition of The Viking is dedicated. better ways of thinking and doing. HE IS OUR FRIEND! 4

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Mrs. Ruth Barfield, Miss Mary Richards, Mr. William Cochran, Mrs. Mary A. Miller, Mrs. Christine Holbrook, Mr. Raleigh Biggerstaff, Mr. Orland Gabriel. . .YOU ARE THERE .. When the doors opened wide on the morning of Sep- tember 4, 1951, seven of the present faculty were there to greet the new students from Cornelius, Davidson, Derita, Huntersville, and Long Creek. Teacher and student alike had the feeling of newness and unfamiliar surroundings. There was much wondering about whether students from these five separate high schools would mold themselves into an effective student body, being loyal to North Mecklenburg High School. One must re- member they had been rivals in every activity up to the present time. But these same students showed no hesitation-nor did they lack cooperative spirit. They went to work immedi- ately, and soon one would have found it difficult to detect the fact that they had not always been one student body. In fact, students from each of the five communities were friends from the first day. Working together, they soon set up standards which other students to come would follow for years, the school colors, blue and white, were chosen, the name Rebels was selected, and the ALMA MATER was written. The school program moved forward at an amazing pace. Organizations such as the Student Council were or- ganized for the first time, classes were running smoothly, officiers were elected, and the first football team any 6 of the schools had had was having a successful season. Much work had been done, and much was left to do, but with a will to do or die, no one hesitated. With such a spirit how could North be anything other than suc- cessful. These seven teachers saw North on the move. They saw the grounds cleared and landscaped, the parking lots cleared, graveled, or paved, courses such as Family Living, Business English, DE, and Bible added to the cur- riculum, ball teams win championships, the gym built, and students win coveted awards such as the Morehead Scholarship and others just as important. They worked faithfully to accumulate and arrange information to have the school evaluated for accreditation. They were present on the great day when the principal wired that North had been placed on the list of schools accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. These teachers have seen students come and go through the years, and there has been regret to see them go. But there was the joy of forming new associa- tions and watching the development of those who fol- lowed. The picture is ever changing, for nothing stands still. There is only one way that North could possibly go -ever onward!