Portland High School - Totem Yearbook (Portland, ME)

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'i9f 5 sis' 'Fifi THE TOTEM IQ 9s 'Theme : Reflections 11 This learned I from the shadow of a tree That to and fro did sway against a wall, Our shadow selves, our inflence, mae' Fell Where we ourselves can never b VOLUME 7 JC PUBLISHEIY THE STUDENTS OF PORT QD HIGH SCHOOL PORTLAN UNE

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Foreword And the .scores of loyal hearts Wilh Ihr spirit she imjmris Sing the prai.1'f's of our Porlland High. As this year marks the seventy-hfth anniversary of Portland High School, we have designed our TO1'PllNI to act as a magic mirror which shall reflect in its pages not only the achievements of the class of 1939, but also the spirit of P. H. S. Of the seventy-Hve graduating classes only nineteen have had the priv- ilege of enjoying a TOTEM, but all have seen the history of our country un- folding before them, have witnessed many unforgettable events, and faced seemingly insurmountable problems. In 1863, we were in the midst of a Civil XNar when this school was erected under the guidance of the principal, Xvilliam P. Tucker. It was on the present site, but the prejudice against co-education was so strong that a brick wall divided the building, the girls having classes on one side, the boys on the other, and, although a door was cut through in 1864, boys and girls were not turned loose together, nor allowed to intermingle without restric- tions until l876.H ' Although not destroyed in the Great Fire of 1866,' the building was burned in 1911, but was rebuilt, and, with minor alterations, was used until 1918 when the present building was erected, using the old building as a center wing. This year saw our hearts gladdened by the Armistice ending the VVorld IN7ar. Dedication was in 1919, and in 1920 hre destroyed the old wing, which was then rebuilt to conform with the new architecture. And now 1939 finds war talk again the major interest of the world. But even as this struggle of the world has been continued by citizens who believe in the institutions of democracy, so the struggle for education has been continued in Portland by faculties, parents, and students who believe in the strength of education to combat the forces of danger to our country and homes. In 1794, the founders of our Hrst Academy were brave pioneers who had to fight prejudice. In 1850, higher education for girls was under Hre. Again in 1863 the advocates of coeeducation were faced by disapproval and bitter resentment. Surmounting all these obstacles, the present Portland High School, the largest educational unit in Maine, has risen to a place of respect in the eyes of all as throughout the years- Sht' lz11.1' guided slaps of youlh ln the paths of right and f?'Ilffl.U So with the thousands who have gone before, we too may say: Shine Portlnml High, in thy glory, For the youth of it future clay. '