Paris High School - Owl Yearbook (Paris, TX)

Page 8 text:

An Era Begins 1,987 affirmative votes put the proiect into motion on May 11, 1971, as the three million dollar bond issue to build a new Paris High School was passed. Mr. M. T. Halbouty donated sixty acres of land in southeastern Paris for the site of the complex. Ground break- ing took place on September 6, 1972, and we were on the way. The first setback came when a soil analysis showed that the soil was, in the words of Architect Pre- ston Geren, unusually bad, the school would require a special foundation. Also, a drainage prob- lem was a source of trouble. Then things started to happen. Construc- tion began well . . . hopes were high . . . momentum grew . . . a forward push appeared . . . and then the rains came and stopped the forward push. Engineer Charlie Walker described the site as the highest mud hill I've ever seen in my life. The school board granted Harrison-Walker Construction Com- pany two extensions on building as bad weather delayed work. Con- struction was nil for weeks, but once again things picked up, and the ball was back in motion. People were caught up in the growing 4 0 Theme momentum, wondering When will it be finished? A skeleton of what was to come became visible in late 1973, and hopes continued to expand. Will we get to move into the school at mid-term? was a fre- quent question. Due to construction delays, date for occupancy was set for August, 1974. The original con- tract had specified 45O calendar days, but it took two years for the building to be completed. When students entered the new school, they found that the waiting was worth the trouble. The Great Move initiated in the summer attracted the majority. Slowly, spirit developed . . . became tangible . . . and grew rapidly, affecting students and fac- ulty and propelling them forward into a year of constant motion and emotion. This spirited movement introduced the beginning of an era - the start of something great. This was The Year of The Great Move for Paris High! Top - Move 'em Out: Coach Kent Lash- ley, Howard Corriston, Clifford Brown, Gary Jack, Larry Elkins unload truck. Right - Salute to Texas Flag: Laura Good dis- plays state flag at assembly in school's new auditorium for student body.

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PHS Lives is Paris High came to life! The growing momentum that had char- acterized last year became a great move in which PHS pushed for- ward. lt was a time for change, a time for adaptations. A new school, a new superintendent, a new princi- pal and a new class . . . these were the stimuli which induced reactions. Students were bussed to school, a closed campus was set up. Drastic changes confronted stu- dents and faculty alike. Adiust- ments were made, and the chal- lenge was met in an orderly way. The Great Move began during summer, when transportation of materials from the old school to the new building was effected. Work- ers loaded desks, filing cabinets, tables, and other items into a U- haul truck, drove to the completed new Paris High School building, moved everything out of the truck and into the building, then returned to the old school for more. The task entailed constant motion, the char- acteristic that typified the year. Teachers packed and trans- ported their possessions during the summer, while students spent the vocation months in anticipation of the changes to come. Many toured the new building, eagerly looking forward to the coming school year. Excitement was in the air, people were stirred into activity. A new direction in movements came about. lt was time for a change, time for the Great Move. Far Left - Don 'f Let Go: Moving a cabinet to the U-haul truck is the task of Mark Lowe, Dennis Pynes, and Coach Kent Lash- ley. Below Left - Drop It ln: Owl Staffers Lee LaRue, Jerilou Dennis, Karen Sansing load up boxes to be transported to new high school. Top - A Thing of Beauty: A new Paris High School, culmination of two years of work, stands ready to accept stu- dents in August. Theme 0 3

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J I ,- fig CAT? sw-W ,i A Y Top - Guided Tour: School Board Presi- dent Dr. Jim Miles leads faculty on tour of unfinished Paris High School. Left - It's That Time Again: Mrs. Alfred Bassano and Miss Mary Wilson hand out schedules after orientation. Bottom - Take a Look: Biology students Mike Ridens, Kyle Purdy, and Gary Jack utilize new science lab equipment. Bottom Left - Enthusiastic Supporters: Paris High band students show spirit in one of the few pep rallies held in the new gym. Theme 0 5 ,R ig: