South High School - Southite Yearbook (Omaha, NE)

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Dedication ln dedicating this 1957 edition of the Southite we feel it is only proper to offer this book to South High--its past and its future. Fifty-two years have elapsed since the construction of the old building. With the close of this school year, Providence willing, this building will be replaced by the long awaited addition. This old building has served students from every walk of life. Its alumni include con- gressmen, educators, sportsmen, professional men, homemakers and--just plain good citi- zens. ' What is in store for South High? We know that the new construction, designed to be sleek and modern, is greatly needed. But we hope that the caliber of students and the type of instruction will remain the same. The school year 1956-57 has been exciting and rewarding for students and faculty alike. The Homecoming Coronation and dance on November 9 were the first big social events of the season. A Night on Broadway was presented by the First Choir on November 15 and 16. The show tunes were taken from three current Broadway hits, and audience approval acclaimed the production a big success. On December 16 the first performance of our yuletide program, 'i'lusic and the Spoken Word was presented by the Fine Arts Department. After returning to school following Christmas vacation, students resumed the flurry of activities accompanying senior elections. In this year's balloting 36 seniors vied for six class offices. The second term began with the usual excitement of new classes, but it also brought a melancholy note for the 501 seniors who were beginning their last semester of high school. February was high-lighted with the 14th Annual Military Rall. Suspense filled weeks ended with the announcement of the lieutenant colonel and his lady on February 15. Around the World in 80 'Vlinutes was presented by an all-school cast on 'Vlarch 28 and 29. This 1957 Sound Off took the audience on an imaginary tour through foreign countries by way of their songs and dances. The All-City Vlusic Festival, March 169 the Spring Play, May 2 and 35 and the Spring Concert all hurried by as the final weeks of school drew to a close. Our athletic departments deserve special credit for the fine performances turned in this year. The Packer reserve football team brought home the intercity championship. The var- sity squad turned in an excellent season of play, finishing the year's competition in third place in both intercity and state ranks. In basketball competition, our basketeers ended a successful season by fighting their way to the runner-up spot in the intercity League and the second round of the Regional Tournament. Extra praise, however, goes to our outstanding wrestling team. At the close of the season, South held the North High Invitational, the lntercity League and the State titles. We placed six state champions and broke the all time scoring record for Nebraska high schools by totaling 114 points during the State tourney. The social year came to a close with the Senior Prom at Peony Park, leaving only baccalaureate and graduation for our seniors. Accompanying us throughout this year were the hopes and plans for our new building. Though the '57 seniors will not be able to enjoy the many modern facilities it will offer, we hope that all future Packers will make the most of them. ' Commencement night, 1957, will be the beginning of a new phase of life for our grad- uates. The doors on the old building will close for the last time, opening a new era for our alma mater. -4-

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,W ,N TO OUR SENIORS: When one approaches the conclusion of a span of time, he pauses in retrospect to think again on those things which hold meaning for him. just so you, who are among the last to tread the halls of old South High, find it most appropriate to reflect not alone on your high school days, but on the tradition and rich heritage of which our old building should remind us. Many generations have preceded you but none with greater opportunities than yours. lf our old building could speak it could tell the story of true democracyg the welding of the richness of many lands into that America which is ours. But, more specifically, it would tell of the privilege you have in living in a nation which makes possible the education of all its youth. llowever, it would hasten to say that you alone can educate yourselves. The processes of education are only as effective as you make them. While schools of today are better than they ever have been, you are not educated if you merely expose yourselves to them. After all, knowledge is a potential the magnitude of which depends solely upon what you put into it. It is not created without work being done. Advice would then be added, for our old building would have much to giveg it has seen many young men and women depart to take their places as builders in our land. First it would advise that learning is a constant process which does not end with a diploma. But learning alone is not enoughg it must be put to use constructively if its purposes would be achieved. Next, very pointedly, it would give a word of encouragement as it has in the past to the many who have gone before. You must find in yourselves the confidence and courage to avoid self-pity and self-excuse and to know the problems of your day for the con- querable things they are. You face no problems that cannot be solved provided you do not give up. Prophets of doom will always be wrong as long as there are young men and women with the courage, the confidence, the energy and the faith to stand up boldly to the responsibilities of their times. Then, finally, we add our sincere good wishesg and your school, which has been so much a part of your life, looks forward with you to a bright future, anchored firmly in those ideals which are our heritage from the richness of the past. f