Red Oak High School - Pep Yearbook (Red Oak, IA)

Page 8 text:

ifiintly How long is a half-century .... from high-button shoes, model-TFords, one-room schools, grapho- phones, muddy dirt streets to Dior creations, streamlined limousines, jet planes, super highways, TV, and the Space Age. A half-century ago, the first Pep was edited within the walls of the present Junior High School. The building had been an elegant structure in its day--erected in 1898 at a cost of 317, 000, it covered an area of 75 feet by 78 feet. But with progress comes inevitable changes. As the city of Red Oak expanded and the population grew, the enrollment increased. The high school building with its bulging walls relinquished its status to the present high school. Now its walls are feeling the strain of a greater enrollment as a result of re- r organization. We trust that soon a sparkling new structure will set the stage for an exciting half- century in the offing. The history of the Pep parallels 50 years of change and progress in our high school and the sur- rounding community. PAGES FROM THE 1915 PEP . Old High School Built at a Cost of S17, OOO, Present Building Cost, 35115, 000. W -..,..... 4 First Girls' Physical Training Class The Manual Training Class Numbered 39.

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Primed for the days activities. Laughing all the way to the bank? . . Mr. Eugene Hamilton Even before students have enter ed biology class, they become aware that the figure moving about the halls wearinga frock coat, will some day be their biology teacher. He is, of course, Mr.Hamilton, who came to us as football and basketball coach in 1944, He served as assistant coach from 1946-1948, in addition to being P.E. instructor. In 1948, Mr. Hamilton resigned to take a position as salesman. Though successful in this field, teaching proved to be too much of a lure to him and he returned to us in 1953. He taught general science and bookkeeping. At present biology takes up all of his time, In his spare moments, he co-sponsors the Junior Class. We find him the central figure in the concession booth at every home football game. His is a rigorous and demanding job. It takes hours of planning, scheming, and prod- ding to secure funds for an elaborate Junior-Senior each year. Mr. Hamilton has escorted future biologists and geologists on three biology trips, which have taken them to Yellowstone Park, the Gr and Tetons, and the Grand Canyon. He is a graduate of Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa, from which he holds a Bachelor of Science degree. He has done graduate work at Iowa State University on a science scholariship granted him two years ago. Mr. Hamilton is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Red Oak. Perlinaiinn And just about the time EUGENE HAMILTON

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n nib 12 rs ar Q Just as om' speech department earns its share of 1 ratings, so the Red Oak speech students were V tops in this field 50 years ago. Public Speaking work was a special feature of high school activities in those days. Of the 235 pupils enrolled in high school, '70 of them participated in this activity. They were said to have surpassed those of most high schools in Iowa. Functions in this event were well at- tended and competition with other schools in this vicinity was keen. A band had not yet been organized- -the Glee Club made up the music activities. They furnished the entertainment preceding the debates and declamations. ln the sports field, football, basketball, and baseball prevailed. The girls' team remained unde- feated: the boys' lost only two games. The football team won all but two of their games. Track, tennis, cross- country, and golf were added to the sports activities in recent years. It has been a most interesting half-century and a peek into the crystal ball indicates that the next 50 years will be even more exciting! At left: Essie Conn fMrs. Ennis Holmesy sub- mitted the winning entry when a contest was held to give the yearbook a title. Her entry, The Pep , was judged the best. And so The Pep got its name. CLASS OF 1915 She Named The Pep. 1 The First Pep Staff.