Reading High School - Arxalma Yearbook (Reading, PA)

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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

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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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. Celebrates . . . 4' Q97 't QI' 0 fir .i ,ii 7 'is1. I f 94 f .ee '.'.Q w Lim V5 of X ' . - if V:-ff-Qi O Q 2 'ifi, i 'i ' fxj. Xf'G.Ql:f: Sirk Qf 1.1- 2 9,34 ci 9 A ,b. X 'S ' fri' eeee Al 9 e 'Sgt at 'if .QF , ' i ii-Sexy 0 .- ,-, ,-l 1 X O Wk X gal.. 3 .... ,K l -4775354 ee e i e f e School Motto Joe Red Knight Joe Red Knightingale Die Cur Hic lTell Why You Are Herel Our official school seal was originally designed in 1907 by Joseph Weitzenkorn for use at the High School for Boys. its design contains the colors red and black, which have become the school colors, and the Latin motto Dio Cur Hic meaning TeIl Why You Are Here. Another carry-over from the Boys' High is the school newspaper The Red and Black which was first published in November 1897 as a monthly. ln September of 1927, it appeared as a weekly as it does today. Miss Betty Stoudt, a member of the first graduat- ing class, originated the name Arxalma , meaning fostering citadel , for the Castle's yearbook, first published in January 1928. One hazy winter morning in 1930 Miss lVlildred E. Bunyeon, a Reading High graduate and English teach- er, was climbing the hill to school and all she could see was the four Castle towers pointing to the sky. This beautiful sight inspired her to write a poem when she arrived at school which developed into the words of our school song The Arxalma Song. lVlr. Luther Goodhart, also an alumnus and music teacher, wrote the melody. This song was used for the first time in the first commencement pageant Fair Learning's Gift in June of 1930. . Since 1974, the Dr. Ralph C. Geigle Education Complex was used for more than a center for athletic events. From that year to the present, commence- ment exercises were held in the gymnasium. Our pres- ent-day graduation ceremonies include such features as slide programs, speakers, student talent, and, of course, the traditional procession and presentation of diplomas. -Golden Anniversary Commencement Exercises of the Past Commencement Exercises of the Present