Thomas Carr Howe Community High School - Hilltopper Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

Page 10 text:

May Pageant and other traditions will The sounds of Christmas carols drift through the halls during the ninth period of the last day before Christmas vacation. The singing sets the mood for an enjoyable yuleticle holiday. During the past twenty-five years many activities have passed through the spotlight of school life. Some have lived- on as Howe traditions. After the all too short summer vacation, upper- classmen try to talk the timid freshmen into buying swimming pool tickets and elevator passes. Sophomore biology students hike along the fa- miliar creek bed in search of insects and take the usual kidding from the upperclassmen. The juniors exercise their newly gained prestige by selecting class rings, sitting on chairs during assemblies, and purchasing Junior Prom tickets. Seniors enter senior homeroom and participate in the election of class officers, a true symbol of their seniority. Christmas is a tradition that is always remem- bered at Howe. With this holiday come the special assemblies, caroling in the halls, class competition for show window decorations, decorated Christmas trees, and the blue star on the tower. Sectional time finds Howeites at the Southport gym cheering their basketball team to victory. Dec- orated derbies, hot dogs, snow cones, songs, and cheers are all part of the fun of Hoosier hysteria. A highlight of the fall is the crowning of the Fall Sports Queen. Junior Janet Wagaman was chosen by the student body to reign over Homecoming and the football season. Like many other juniors, Paul Guhl takes pride in ordering his senior class ring. After deciding which ring to select, the next problem is saving the money to pay for it. He may have to save lunch money for weeks, but it is worth it.

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Howe's growth extends through 25 years This year Howe ioined other city schools in using the IBM system to keep records. Bonnie Graham, sophomore, and Jane Abernethy, freshman, study their new IBM report cards. At an informal reception given for Mr. Kenneth Smartz, the former vice-principal and Mrs. Ruth Reed exchange anecdotes and humorous classroom quips provided by students and staff. At a signal from Principal Charles M. Sharp, the tower clock started, signifying the official beginning of Thomas Carr Howe High School. Previously, the president of the Irvington Union of Clubs had turned the first spade of earth from Violet Hill on May 20, l937. ln November, Dewitt S. Morgan, superintend- ent of schools, had presided at the cornerstone lay- ing. Finally dedication for our school took place September 29 of the following year. In September, l938, Howe opened its doors to 349 freshmen and lOO sophomores. Two years later a new lunchroom and a full-sized gymnasium were dedicated on November 29. Howe's new wing with English, math, social studies, shop, and music rooms was added in l954. In the same year a public aol- dress system was installed throughout the school. In spring, l962, the Board of School Commis- sioners voted to add to Howe's ever-changing frame- work. Hardworking construction men toiled even in below-zero temperatures to complete our newest wing for the fall of '63. A long-sought auditorium for Howe's stage productions as well as science labs, lecture rooms, and a larger cafeteria comprise Howe's newest wing. The skeleton of the new wing dwarfs trucks and cranes as the auditorium, new cafeteria, and class rooms take shape. Howe's new addition will be ready for use in September of 1963.

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remain in spotlight of many memories May Pageant Queen Jodi Dobbs is surrounded by her court and their escorts. The group includes Cassie Kamp, Richard Downey, Bev Totten, Joe Nelson, Julie Sanders, Dick Wood- To many Howeites spring means the return of the Violet Queen. lt is said that she once held court on Violet Hill, where Howe High School now stands, and that she returns annually to celebrate the school's birthday and to see what progress has been made during the year. This is the May Pageant of Achievement. Nominated by the iunior class and selected by the entire student body, Jodi Dobbe reigned as the T962 Violet Queen. Her attendants were Cassie Kamp, Julie Sanders, Bev Totten, and Carol Weav- er. Pages were Sue Carter and Connie Dennis, and the children of teacher Charles DeBow. Also par- ticipating were Principal Thomas Stirling, Student Council president Denny Wickes, and the philoso- pher, Mike Dugan. The royal court was welcomed by the Howe band and the choir playing and singing Hall to the Queen of the Violets. Tumblers and dancers from the girls' physical education classes performed for the Queen and others danced around the May Pole. The very first Pageant of Achievement was on May 26, l939. Since that time, twenty-four pag- eants have been held on the front campus, each portraying the work of the preceding year, and each ending with a challenge for another successful year. May Pageant dancers and acrobats sit back on the lawn and watch the other dancers perform for the Violet Queen. Folk dances and the gay May Pole dance are also presented. bury, Carol Weaver, and Jim Rubush. Sue Carter and Connie Dennis were pages. Kayann and Charles DeBow were the fiower girl and crown bearer, children of Mr. Charles DeBow.