South High School - Oriole Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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Highlights in the History of Umar Alma Mater If we were riding up the Monongahela River in the earlier part of the nine- teenth century, we would see a peaceful, picturesque valley that extended from this very river to the foothills up and above the high hills-a section that was des- tined to become one of the greatest industrial centers of Pittsburgh. Perhaps no other section has developed so rapidly in a hundred years as has this district, once surrounded by beautiful green rolling- plains and huge estates, but now a busy in- tersection formerly called Birmingham,' and now the South Sidef' The former South Pittsburgh, Birmingham,,, East Birmingham, and Ormsby,, complete the present South Side. Can you imagine the South Side without its own Alma Materv-South High? It seems hard to believe, yet, a little over fifty years ago this reputable school was just emerging out of the sand and rubble to educate the majority of the children of South Side and the surrounding communities of Allentown, Brookline, Dormont, and Beechview. The cornerstone for South High School was laid in 1897 at the Corner of Tenth and Carson Streets, but the building was not com- pleted and pupils were not admitted until September of 1898. The first principal of South High was Dr. R. H. Holbrook, son of the founder of the first normal school in the United States. The first student body consisted of 242 pupils with a faculty of eight teachers. The normal, academic, and commercial courses were offered, but due to the limited space at South High the students taking the nor- mal course spent two years at Fifth Avenue, students taking the academic course spent three years at South and the fourth year at Central High, students taking the commercial course spent one year at South and three years at Fifth Avenue. In 1911, South High was recognized as a separate cosmopolitan high school, of- fering complete courses in all curricular studies. South held its first separate commencement in 1913, graduating 32 pupils. Prior to this time the pupils com- pleted high school requirements at Central High School or Fifth Avenue High School and graduated from these schools. At the death of Dr. Holbrook in 1910, Mr. I. M. McLaughlin, a teacher of science and mathematics at South since September, 1905, succeeded him as prin- cipal. In the early twenties, to meet the demand of the increasing enrollment, ten portable structures were built. These proved so unsatisfactory that in May 6, 1924, it was necessary to replace the portables by adding a new building connected to the old by two passageways. So in September, 1924, 38 rooms plus offices, a library, a swimming pool, gyms, and a cafeteria were opened. Before this addi- tion the students, although pressed for room, attended their studies dutifully. They had to go to the Oliver Pool for swimming instructions, while for their physical education they were obliged to go to the gym at Thirteenth Street. They were so proud of their orchestra that they practiced weekly at the Thirteenth Street gym. Despite many handicaps they did their best to elevate the high standards of South. In 1935 the building was again enlarged by the addition of seven class rooms. 10

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Sowthfs Passing Parade South Highfs doors have been open wide, For fifty long and fruitful years, Challenging all to but step inside, Through its majestic portals and receive its best. Those who wished to learn were taught, Those who remained profited by their stay, Those who refused to acknowledge defeat, Are the successes of today. Some went forward into the world, Gained great fame, earned much respect, But they are so great in number, That space and words must we limit, To just a few examples of each, To enlighten the minds of the reader. Judge Schramm, Rudy Brenlove balanced the scal Balanced them so well that fame is now theirs, To hold and cherish forever and afterwards. Paul Sapsara, a stalwart youth, Went forward to answer his country,s call, Bravely all during the World War ll he fought, Was captured by the Italians in North Africa, He remained in a prison camp until he was freed Became a hero and found himself famous. Rosemary McMahon and Matilda Meyers, Learned their lessons so well, That now they teach them to other youngsters, Who like themselves wish to learn the answers, To all problems perplexing the universe, And pass this knowledge on to others, So that there may always be progress, The foundation of a good teachefs profession. Bert Winters, a politician with conviction, Maurice Goldstein, an attorney with high ideals. es of justice Father Schultz, Rev. Ord, and Hebrew clergy too, All men of God whose mission on earth, Is to help, advise, and give light to the masses By preaching the word of God to all, And preparing them for the after life. Dr. Lawrence Beinhauer, Dr. Gilbert Lloyd, Have been endowed with the supreme gift, That of giving relief to the suffering, Curing diseases, binding the wounds of man, So that good health may be prevalent always. Dr. A. A. Brackmann, Dr. Wm. Gregory, Are dentists of distinction, Morris Finkel, Eddie Albright, Have hearts as large as their businesses Elmer Holland is a senator of renown. All together they make up the passing pa A passing parade of success and fame! rade of South High School -Dolores Nagy

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The first edition of the school paper was published October 1, 1914. K. Salome Stamm was the first editor. It was called the Oriole,' because the orange and black of the Baltimore Oriole had been chosen as the school colors. Up to this time, South High had no specific school paper. With the installation of the print shop in 1924, came a new publication, a newspaper, called the Oriole Newsf' It has been under the supervision of Miss Edith Davidson, Mr. Charles Young, and in 1943, Miss Elizabeth Frost became supervisor. The Yearbook, was first published by the Senior Class of June, 1915, and was dedicated to Elizabeth Dallas Wilbams, a retired faculty member. In August, 1942, Mr. J. M. McLaughlin, South Highis second principal reach- ed the age of retirement and relinquished his active duties. Mr. H. H. Johnson, a member of the faculty since November, 1912 had become the school's first vice- principal in September, 1924 and he, too, had retired in june 1940. Mr. C. L. Sterling, who had been placed in charge of the newly built South Vocational High School in February, 1940 became the vice-principal of the entire plant in September, 1940 and succeeded to the principalship of South Iunior-Senior and Vocational High School in September, 1942. Mr. E. C. Burns, who had been prin- cipal of the evening school for 13 years, was appointed to the vice-principalship of the entire school at the same time. South Vocational High School-the most modern school of its kind in the city of Pittsburgh, was opened in February, 1940. Here the boys learn both trade skills and related work. Half the time is spent in shop where skills and operating techniques are acquired. The other half of the time is spent in learning related and academic work which includes such subjects as, English, Related Math, Re- lated Science, Related Drawing, Related Theory, and Physical Education. There are eight shops with a maximum capacity of 450 boys. South Vocational High School boys are the only boys in the city that can boast of knowing how to bake, for South Vocational has the only known bakery. This school, according to Fed- eral government regulators, was not built for the purposes of giving instructions to the backward, or otherwise subnormal individuals, but was instituted for the clearly avowed purpose of giving thorough Vocational instructions to boys, so that they might find suitable and profitable employment. It can boast, too, of having the only aircraft-engines department in the city. Many boys have achiev- ed their life ambitions upon graduating from this worth-while institution, for they have had their hands as well as their minds trained. Somewhere beneath the stars there is work that you alone were meant to dog never rest until you have done itf, This quotation by Dr. Brashear, an out- standing figure in the growth of the South Side, must have been taken to heart by the citizens of this community and the faculty of South and South Vocational High Schools. They have proven that through cooperation and guidance a small settlement can become a vital part of a great and prosperous steel center. 11