Northeast High School - Viking Log Yearbook (St Petersburg, FL)

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Prominent National Educator Guides Northeast Northeast has as its principal a prominent national educator, Mr. john M. Sexton. During his thirty years as a teacher and a principal, he has worked to improve standards of education. Mr. Sexton received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from De Paul University and his Master of Science degree in Education from Drake University. He began his teaching career in his hometown, Albia, Iowa, where he taught and coached football for three years. He also taught in Des Moines, Iowa, for five years be- fore coming to St. Petersburg, Florida. Here he taught and coached for five years and was principal of South Side Junior High School from 1948-1954. VVhile at South Side, Mr. Sexton was voted life membership in the Con- gress of Parent-Teacher Associations. In 1954 he was chosen to be the principal of the city's newest high school, Northeast. Mr. Sexton has held several important positions in educational organizations. He has been director and chairman of the Florida Education Association Depart- ment of Secondary School Principals. He is a member of the Continuing Educational Council of Florida, the FEA Committee on Teacher Education and Professional Stand- ards, the Florida Committee of the Southern Associa- tion of Colleges and Secondary Schools, and the South- wide Committee on Evaluation of the Southern Associa- tion. Mr. Sexton's career of dedicated service to educa- tion culminated in his election to the office of president of the National Association of Secondary School Princi- pals, a branch of the National Education Association. He served on the executive committee of the NASSP before taking office this year as president. ln this capacity Mr. Sexton will continue his work for the betterment of sec- ondary education.

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Mr. Sexton 's Message I have been asked by the staff of our yearbook to reminisce a little through the years. First I would like to say I have met a lot of fine young people who have walked, and sometimes run, through these hallowed halls. Their parents, too, have been wonderful, as together they have donated many dollars and worked many hours so that those coming later might have a football field, a latex-topped track, a baseball diamond, a swimming pool, a research lab, more library books, and many other additions to our campus. They will always be a part of our school, and for many years when they pass I hope they have that glow of satisfaction when they view their past accom- plishments. To think back, though, I remember the day the School Board asked that the student body be called to- gether to suggest a name for our school, other than Northeast. You can imagine their reactions, because they had researched the word Northeast and had decided on Viking Log for the yearbook, Nofeaster for the news- paper, Vikings as the emblem, and scarlet and cream for our colors. Needless to say, the three suggestions made by all the students were N ortheast, Northeast, and North- east, and they wrote and wired our School Board to re- tain our present name, which the Board so graciously permitted. There followed flag presentations and school dedi- cation on December 12, 1954 - Rick Rados scored the first Viking touchdown - our first play, Turn Back the Clockv - the first National Honor Society tapping and initiation - the big auction for polio - the old victory flag - our first Baccalaureate and Graduation came in rapid succession that first year - and the first Iunior- Senior Prom at the Palais Royal, and was it ever a hot one - temperaturewise. Fifteen of our original teaching staff are still here. Mrs. Winfree, our bookkeeper, and Mrs. Hicks, our caf- eteria manager, have been with us for ten years - so has Sarge of the custodial staff. Soundings first appeared in 1956 - Honors Banquets started the first year - the first April Fool edition was a knockout. A Code of Ethics was passed by Student Coun- cil - our clubs kept expanding according to need. The Class of 1959 put the Viking Head on the auditorium - DCT and the tree transplanting program - the apparent mold for cheerleaders, just the right size and pretty. The Science Fairs and the fabulous trips our youngsters have taken as prize winners - valedictorians and salutatorians over the years - the beautiful young ladies and the hand- some young men who have graduated from here make one feel proud - the many compliments we have re- ceived from colleges on the type of youngsters we are sending them. Memories are wonderful, but you do not have the space for me to continue, so I must close with this final thought. You have all been wonderful. I have followed most of you after graduation and I deem it a great pleasure to have known you.

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FLOYD T. CHRISTIAN SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Board Works To Strengthen Pinellas School System Twice monthly the Pinellas County School Board meets in Clearwater. Since 1912, when the Board con- sisted of three members, it has grown into a strong body of seven dedicated civic leaders. Appointed and directed by the Board is the Superintendent of Schools, who is the general administrator of the county school system, presently Floyd T. Christian. Through constant evalua- tion and long range planning, the Board strives to strengthen the local educational system. All policies, rules, and regulations for all the schools of the county must be handled by the School Board. W'hen making local rulings, they must remember the de- sires of local residents, as well as the state laws. As the School Board studies problems, recommendations, quali- fications of personnel, and approval of textbooks and cur- riculum, they must remember that the voters hold them responsible for managing the county schools as effective- ly and economically as possible. SCHOOL BOARD-SEATED FROM LE FT: Mildred Day, Elwin Vevier, Marjorie Whitley, jane Manson. STANDING: William Williams, Charles Helman, Iarnes Hendry, Edward Turville