Richmond High School - Shield Yearbook (Richmond, CA)

Page 19 text:

Talk about Isaac Walton Happy house holders! Their first nest New teacher on the job Ola! With their pride and joy! Relaxing on a glacier. Manly, handsome administrator! Not exactly Olympics, but who is? OTRO NE Ea EL aa CRE

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

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ADMINISTRATION In 1848 David Crockett Gray's grandparents settled down in Vina, California. They were Texans, as one might easily guess. They prospered and eventually their son, LeRoy, who was born in Vina, grew up, became a peach farmer, and in 1901 married Miss Clara Brown, a dazzling native of Calaveras County. To this extremely:attractive young couple the infant David Crockett was born on October 17, 1902. Five years later young David was joined by a brother, Chester. These two brothers, David and Chester, waxed strong, brave and healthy midst the peaches, livestock and wonderful places to run and play. In 1907 in all of Richmond there were only forty-five high school students. A small, converted, three-room elementary school on Stan- dard Avenue made do for them and their three teach- ers, Mr. Bert X. Tucker, Miss Ruth Peterson and Miss Al- berta Bell. Such a compact and handsome student body could tidily dispose them- selves on the narrow steps of their unprepossessing high school to have their picture taken. tt