Reading High School - Arxalma Yearbook (Reading, PA)

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6-Foreword From the Editor 1976-1977 .......... What a year! To begin - we didn't. School openings were delayed two weeks as a result of a teachers' strike. Sports activities continued, but class sched- ules, vacation time, and the general calendar had to be adjusted and revised. Later in the year, the educational process again came to a halt as the governor declared a state-wide energy crisis and schools were closed in order to conserve precious energy producing materials. Seniors learned that they were now required by the state to attend school the entire scheduled 180 days. Traditionally, the graduating class would finish about two weeks ahead of the underclassmen. But was 1976-1977 really as bad as all that? Definite advancements were made in Reading High's curriculum. Semester courses made their debut giving the students more of an opportunity to choose from a wider variety of courses. Improvements in the building and campus grounds were made. New steps were added, leading to the annex from the front and side, and new railings were provided for the front steps of the main building. For a special touch, a knight head insignia symbolizing the spirit of Reading High School Red Knights was painted on the esplanade by Victoria Wade, a senior. This year also commemorated Reading High School's golden anni- versary of service to the community. As a special tribute for this oc- casion, an anniversary party complete with cake for everyone was held in the school cafeteria on Nlarch 31, 1977 during the lunch peri- ods. Reading High' School's Alumni Association also sponsored a ban- quet honoring the Castle on the Hill on lVlay 5, 1977. This year's edition of the Arxalma is also dedicated to Reading High as the Gold- en Anniversary Edition. As depicted on the various division pages of our yearbook, the past influences the events of the present just as much as the future affects the present. Since 1927, the Castle on the Hill has served as the molding place for the leaders. of tomorrow. Looking back on those fifty years, dear old Reading High has done a fine job in preparing the youth of yesterday and today, and when we read about her history and heritage, we can read with pride, and look to the future with confidence. Happy Anniversary,Reading Senior High School! Personally, I feel 1976-1977 was in some respects a rough year, but in others it was one of the best. lt was a year that meant a lot to me. lt was one that I, and I hope you, too, never want to forget. One of my deepest wishes is that this yearbook will help 1976-1977 memories live on and remain a part of us forever. Sincerely, Kristen C. Yiengst E di tor-in-Chief 7977 A rxalma

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in Observance of Anniversaries Miss Kathleen L. Reilly Celebrating his ninth anniversary with the Arxalma is lVlr. William R. Seltzer. lVlost of us around Reading High know Nlr. Seltzer as Bill, the guy with the camera who is always running around somewhere snapping pictures , but what do we really know about him? . lVlr. Bill Seltzer began his involvement with the Arx- alma as a high school junior in 1969. During his eleventh grade year, Bill was a member of the Arxalma staff and student photographer. He continued his work as student photographer during his senior year, but he also acquired the added responsibility of being editor-in-chief of the 1970 Arxalma. Even though Bill celebrated his high school com- mencement in June of 1970, he didn't 'graduate from Arxalma, as he helped out with the 1971, 72, 73, and 74 yearbooks aiding with paste-up work and doing free lance photography. This he did in addition to attending AntoneIli's School of Photography in Philadelphia from 1970-1973. In April of 1974, Bill became a full time em- ployee of Loring Studio, the official Arxalma photogra- pher since 1974. Even though Bill spends many long studio hours and off hours on his photography, he never- theless still finds time to come up to school and lend a helping hand. On behalf of the 1977 Arxalma staff as well as all previous staffs, we should like to salute and thank him. When lVliss Kathleen L. Reilly was a Reading High School Senior, and a member of the 1950 Arxalma art staff, she had no idea that her graduation didn't mean the end of her yearbook work. She continued her education at college, became an art teacher, and in 1957 started teaching at her Alma lVlater-Reading High School. Later, in 1962, she was named as art ad- visor of the Arxalma, and has been capably handling that position ever since. We, the staff, would like to thank Miss Reilly for her fine efforts in putting our ideas down on paper and being a very necessary influence in making the Arxalma an attractive yearbook. Happy fifteenth anniversary! It is the untiring and ever-dedicated efforts of these three fine people that we will never forget, and further- more, that we will be forever grateful. We will always remember all the extra time and con- cern they volunteered and we hope that everyone will take time out to appreciate what they've done for Read- ing High School and the Arxalma. We wish them the happiest of anniversaries and the best in years to come! lVlr. William R. Seltzer Dedica tion

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Reading Senior High School . . . Reading Senior High School . Built - 1926 Foursquare her towers rise, . . . On July 22, 1925 the ground was broken and the building of a new co-educational high school was begun. This was the first at- tempt at co-education since 1859. On June 12, 1926 with an impres- sive ceremony, the cornerstone was laidg and on September 7, 1927 the new Reading Senior High School opened its doors to the stu- dents of Reading. At a formal flag raising and dedication on Octo- ber 1, 1927 the Reading Company presented the school with an American Flag and the Spanish War veterans gave a salute. Because of its medieval motif, we often refer to Reading High as the Castle on the HilI. This phrase was first used by lVlr. Will Durant, a renowned philosopher and author who spoke at the P.S.E.A. convention in December 1928. lVlr. Carl Cassel, vice princi- pal from 1928-1935, could be called responsible for keeping this image alive because of his continual references to the school as the Castle. . . .Arx Alma fairl Wide-spread her beauty lies . . . Now a thirty-five acre area including Hampden Park, the 351,650,000 structure was built of yellow facing brick. In February of 1929 the gymnasium erected northeast of the main building was opened. These two buildings were connected by an underground tunnel which was in use until 1973. The auto shop was built in 1931, and in 1939 a much needed practice field, cinder track, and field house were added. Then in 1972 the Dr. Ralph C. Geigle Edu- cation Complex, commonly referred to as the annex, valued at 37,900,000 was constructed in place of the athletic fields north of the main building, and opened in September 1973 in order to ac- commodate all tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades. Previously, stu- dents from Northwest and Southwest didn't enter the high school until their junior year, a practice which was begun in 1936 as a result of over-crowded conditions. Having an original worth of S1,650,000, Reading High is now valued at S21,000,000. . . . Arx Alma rare! Sheltered beneath her walls . . . With the construction of the Dr. Ralph C. Geigle Education Com- plex, Reading High acquired new gymnasium facilities with a seating capacity of 3400, a natatorium, a cafeteria which prepares lunches for the entire school district, and fifteen more classrooms. A new library replaced the old cafeteria in the main building. . . .She keeps her own Children of liberty, . . . Originally, the Castle was built to accommodate 1800 students, but now holds up to 2800 and graduates an average of 750 - 800 each year. . . . We call her home. Original 192 Acre Campus Dr. Ralph C. Geigle Education Complex Built - 1972 Golden Anniversary-7