Bloomington High School South, The Gothic, 2009, Page 218

Description:	a great history,a greater futureEach yearbook ever printed representsthe year about which it was written.Most contain a standard set of stories:the homecoming queens surprise atbeing crowned, the nail-biting finalgame ending in victory, and the tearfulgraduation. But what makes any singlebook unique are the stories that do notappear in every other yearbook. Thestories that are exclusive to that year.These are the stories that separate theseeditions of the Gothic from all the others: wars, changes, triumphs and tragedies.1. In 1909, the story of the yearwas the yearbook itself. Previous annuals had been published by the seniorclass, but they had not been called theGothic. The book, which was the largest high school annual in the state atthe time, was so named because of theGothic architecture of the school building.2. The class of 1920 associateditself with the war which it endured:World War I. That years yearbook featured the 10 Bloomington High Schoolalumni that gave their fives in service,citing Abraham Lincolns words fromthe Gettysburg Address: That we herehighly resolve that these dead shall nothave died in vain.o. Similarly, the class of 1944dedicated the Gothic to the alumnithat had died in World War II. Thebook published a message to the students in which Lt. Col. Donald Simon,who was the principal at BloomingtonHigh School but had been called awayto serve in the Army Air Corps, commended the students for their involvement in the community in contributionto the war effort. Lt. Col. Simons legacy has continued in his great-granddaughter, Bloomington South Englishteacher Ms. Stephanie Simon.4. In 1959, the Gothics definingcharacteristic was the coverage of itsown 50th anniversary. It featured apicture of Bloomington High School in1909 and a still-relevant quote from thefirst edition of the Gothic: The schoolhas had a great history. It has a greaterfuture.5. The class of 1966 was the firstto attend classes in the building onWalnut Street that South now inhabits.However, the pictures of the buildingthat Bloomington High School studentsmoved into in 1965 is only vaguely familiar, as remodels over the years havecompletely changed its face.0. In 1984, the Gothic comparedthe events of the year to those depictedin George Orwells 1984 published 35years previously. It did this by coveringa wealth of current events, includingthe Soviet Unions boycott of the 1984Olympic Games, volcanic eruptions inHawaii, and the nuclear arms race.7. Another anniversary was celebrated in 1976, not of the Gothic, butof the United States of America. In thecountrys 200th year, the Gothic covered Souths own commemoration ofthe event. These festivities included afrontier and colonial day and a red,white, and blue day for which studentscould dress up. The student pictureddressed up as the United States seal.8. The Gothic published in 2002allowed the events of September 11,2001, to completely infiltrate its coverage. Its theme was reflections, andthe book took on a thoughtful tone,praising South students recast outlook and resilient spirit.As for 2009, it is the celebrationof this momentous occasion, this centennial that is commemorated by thisyears Gothic, that defines the year andthe yearbook. It is unique and singular.It represents the past 100 years and thehistory that contributes to our identityas South students. It is a great history,but there is a greater future in store.Heres to the next 100 years. —CAITLINADAMS218 \| 100th ANNIVERSARY \| then and i
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomsouth/id/8240
Collection:	Bloomington High School South

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