Waltham High School - Mirror Yearbook (Waltham, MA)

Page 7 text:

CHARLES W. GOODRICH, Heazdmfzfter DEDICATION WE, THE CLASS OF 1940 OF WALTHAM SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, DEDICATE THIS COMMENCEMENT ISSUE OF THE MIRROR -TO OUR HEADMASTER, MR. CHARLES W. GOOD- RICH, WHOM WE HAVE COME TO HONOR AND ESTEEM. HIS FRIENDLY MANNER AND SINCERE INTEREST HAVE GIVEN US ENCOURAGEMENT THROUGH OUR HIGH SCHOOL DAYS, AND I-IIS MEMORY WILL BE WITH US LONG AFTER WE HAVE LEFT XWALTHAM HIGH. TO HIM, THEREFORE, BOTH AS OUR HEADMASTER AND AS A WORTHY AND SIN- CERE GUIDE, WE EXPRESS OUR HEARTFELT APPRECIATION.

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F... XX-'ALTI-IAM SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL The history of Waltham Senior High School clearly illustrates the spirit of progress which has been and still is inherent in the citizens of Wal- tham. In 1826 a state law decreed that towns having over five hundred families should main- tain a more advanced school than the district school, which was about the only public educa- tional institution at this time. Waltham, although having fewer than the required five hundred families to come under the law, showed its fine spirit by soon forming plans for a higher school. After much discussion over the location, the town decided on the spot where the present North junior High stands. The building erected at this spot received the title of the Town School. Its one classroom was on the ground floor, and for many years the Town Hall occupied the second story. To us, the equipment was crude and the customs strange. Three weeks in August sufficed for a summer va- cation, and on completion of his course the stu- dent simply left school, there being no formal graduation exercises. In 1849 the Town School became a true high school and expanded onto the second floor. Im- provements were made in the grading system, and mathematics and language courses were added among other changes. During the 1850's the im- portance of music was recognized by the adoption of music courses which have formed the basis for the present day enthusiasm for this branch of art in Waltham as exemplihed by the Band and Or- chestra. Even at this early date the school gained Reference: the distinction of preparing students directly for college, eliminating preparatory school training. When the North Grammar School was built on the site of the Town School in 1869, the High Sclaool moved to the corner of Church and School Streets and became known, in recent times, as the Old High. Here it served the Community well, and numbered among its faculty such fine teachers as the English author, George Gissing. , With the incorporation of Waltham as a-city in 1884, and its consequent expansion, a larger building became necessary. This was built in 1902, and is the central structure of the present High School. Following the World War popula- tion growth became so great that large wings were added on the east and west ends of the central pile. These, completed in 1935, provided sufflci- c-nt extra space to permit the use of one session instead of two as had previously been necessary. A year later a large modern gymnasium in the rear of the east wing was completed, permitting the old gym to be used for a cafeteria. The most recent addition to the school has been the five new rooms on the back of the east wing. These were completed in 1939. Growing on the interior, as well as the exterior, by the addition of many new courses and such de- partments as the excellent Commercial Department, the school has constantly maintained its high rank among secondary institutions, and stands as an enduring momument to the initiative and perse- verance of the citizens of Waltham. William Allen Richards, '4O. The History ofthe Waltham Senior High School by Edith M. Pineo.

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,.-..-... ., -- ,. ,.......,,.,.,- . , ly, ,,., ,N ,, -Y , . tm. ,,,.,'. Q Nu , i1' 1' . , WA, , A. V , . ,, or? 'wi e wh r.:':ni'l. , , T-,,,r ... l,-A ,xx rmzu. , .1 ,VY . r, ,N ..p. Class Poem u BE THOU OUR GUIDE I. The paths of life are numerous, Temptations to us throng, Each one his path must now select. God, show us right from wrong! . II. Our preparation now complete, We start our lives today, That each may one day know success Desert us not, we pray. . III. The door we soon shall open wide To face a troubled world. Protect us, and our goals we'll reach With banners yet unfurled! IV. And as each one draws near the fork Of Life's uncertain way, I-Iis footsteps guide, with rectitude, Lest he should go astray. V. For those who err in choice of path, Or helpful gestures spurn, We ask a kindly word that they ' May to Thy path return. VI. And to the rest, who do select The path of righteousness, Extend Thy hand, we beg of Thee And let them not digress! VII. And now at last the time has come To swing the portals wide And face the future, well prepared. May Heaven be our guide! ROGER GALLAGHER Class of 1940 -J 1 4 -'14 J' i ' -. -N4 v X p, .',, W . I 1 -- . ,.., W 7-ig .,,-,IJ 4.nn.4i.....u .'1 zu.niiL1i.!itE l.i!H:z-M. ..v-A