Richmond High School - Shield Yearbook (Richmond, CA)

Page 17 text:

By Dedicating Our Shield To Them Because our Shield has tried to preserve something of Richmond Union High School on the eve of its destruction, Our Dedication may reek of sentiment. Also, it may strain in its effort to extol and magnify once and for all time the depth, breadth and savor of Richmond's excellence. But who cares? We know, however, that to salute abstractions is silly. So we have chosen to pay homage to the true bedrock of Richmond's greatness, the people who have done the actual job of educating us. Two faculty groups we want especially to signalize. The older and smaller group are the teachers who, in 1928, moved into the new Richmond High from the old one, and stayed here teaching until they retired. Two of them, Mr. David C. Gray, our Principal, and Mrs. Hazel Bird, are still here. In our view, all of them are great teachers, some very Ve great indeed. What old Richmond grad does not light up at such names — — as Gemmer, Sandford, Webber, Weatherby, McLaurin, Woodman, J Parrill, Sikes, Hoefer, Bird, Gray, Stockton, Gardner, Beauchamp, Reeve, Salmi, M. Swenson and Berger? They were giants, all right, steady as pillars, graceful and happy in their work. The school took its character from them; so did the students. In fact, many of their students came back themselves to teach. These students comprise the second, younger faculty group, a few of them already retired, but the rest still in their prime. These teachers, we think, are quintessentially Richmond-spirited. Among them are familiar, well-loved names like Sandford, Thompson, Gowen, Cornish, Bolt, Ruffato, Hattich, Rogers, Phillips, Henchey, Clark, Yates, Pringibal David: Giay- and Ale Hozeniniel Peralsky, McDonald, Reinertson, Anderson, Franson, Lowe, Angella, business education instructor, reminisce by looking Swenson, Olson, Garcia, Simmons, Dale and Bilota. over a 1928 Shield. Mr. Gray is celebrating his 40th year at RUHS, while Mrs. Bird has given 39 years of teaching to Richmond students. In honoring these very special past and present teachers, we find much consolation. At least, t hey will hear us out and understand what we have to say. First, we want them to know that our gratitude overflows towards them for having made Richmond High so unusually fine, strong and distinctive. Second, that we value extremely the sound education and training they provided us. Third, that if we have any character, any style, any worthwhile aim in life, we got these things partly from them. Fourth, that as the last class to graduate from their and our Richmond High, we feel that we are truly the Rachels and Benjamins, the best-loved and most privileged of young people. As such, we find it both natural and delightful to return this privileged love and affection, mixed with reverence and honor, to them, our esteemed elders, friends, teachers and guides. In dedicating our Shield to them, we touch the YN living pulse of Richmond's entire, exceedingly impressive accomplish- ment as a very great high school. RUHS GRADUATE TEACHERS—Row One: Mrs. Alysse Lowe, Mrs. Lila Reinertson, Miss Helen McDonald, Miss Robin Simmons, Miss Agnes Gowen, Miss Hazel-Louise Rogers, Miss Elaine Dale, and Miss Dorothy Swenson. Row Two: Mr. Robert Anderson, Miss Hazel Olsen, Mr. Pete Ruffatto, Mr. Robert Bolt, Mr. Oscar Franson, Mr. Walter Hattich, and Mrs. Cesare Angella. Not Pictured: Mr. Emery Phillips, Mrs. Betty Garcia, Mr. Wilbur Henchey, and Mr. Joseph Bilota.

Page 16 text:

We Honor Our Tradition-Makers B MRS. RUTH BERGER MISS JENNIE GARDNER MRS. DOROTHY GEMMER MRS. CLARA McLAURIN MRS. CARROLL PARRILL MRS. BLANCHE SANDFORD MRS. RUTH SIKES MRS. MARION STOCKTON NOT PICTURED: MISS NINA BEAUCHAMP MRS. HELEN HOEFER MISS ZELMA REEVE MR. MARTIN SALMI MR. MARTIN SWENSON CO VT ao fv, D hninman - HY GERTRUDE WEATHERBY MISS IRENE WEBBER MISS MABEL WOODMAN

Page 18 text:

Sweethearts! The lovely bride! FOREWORD Mr. Gray And His Fabulous School The theme of our Shield presented itself as naturally as a sunrise. For one thing, we wanted to honor our doughty Principal, Mr. David C. Gray. We also wanted to commemorate both the sixtieth anniversary of our school and the fortieth of the present campus. What could be more natural than that we present by text and pictures the biography of Mr. Gray and the history of his fabulous school? But while we were snipping, pasting and composing, a bolt screamed out of the blue: Mr. Gray's school, our gallant, battered, stately Richmond was, like Carthage, to be destroyed. Not out of anything approaching Roman vengeance, but because of some old, recently dusted-off California legislation against non-earthquake-proof schools. Richmond was too old and costly to strengthen, the powers said. Much better to tear it down and build another in its place. That is, if the school-bond election is successful. If it is not, then no more Richmond High, nowhere, no how, no time, that's that, and we are not fooling. A huge, medieval sign was put up on the front lawn announcing that this school was condemned. By dint of such threats and propaganda as well as by sweat, tears, plotting and praying, the bonds skinned by to victory. So there will still be a Richmond High, but bifurcated for the next two years between a North and a South Campus. The Sophomores will occupy the few safe buildings left standing at the present location, the Juniors and Seniors, the Ells school buildings. And in two years time Richmond will have a bright, new, glossy edifice. But contrary as we are, we cannot help grieving for the old one. In our present disconsolate state, we like to think that at least one happy thing has happened in connection with this whole miserable affair. Somehow we hit upon the perfect theme for this last Shield of the old school, namely, the long, lively and fruitful partnership of Mr. Gray and hs beloved school. Examine well the pictures of them both on the Shield’s division pages and read the explanatory comments. The pride, greatness and tradition of Richmond High come through, all mixed with the pervasive influence and distinctive air of Rich- mond’s great and devoted man. We think that we have captured much of the essence of them both at a most critical time of their intertwined histories by the luckiest of accidents. Thrice-blessed Shield, this one! 14