Seacrest/Atlantic High School has a wonderful, rich, and unique past, so let's use this blog to document our school's (Seacrest Blvd campus) history. Don't let your favorite SHS/AHS story go untold. What do you think of when you recall your high school years?
Debbie-I want to thank you for this tribute to AHS/Seacrest. A group of citizens fought for over 3 year to save the school, but the Delray Commish headed by their leader who conveniently chaired the top seat on the school board had it sown up before it ever became public. Between the City of Delray Beach and the School Board of Palm Beach County the decision to move the school passed in a record 72 days...hmmmm....thank you for keeping the memory of our beloved school alive...the BEST years of my life!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful! Candy Killian, my "little" sister, made me aware of this site. Thanks for doing this! Those were great years! (Class of 1970)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words! The day I read the news of school's demise my mind raced -- so many memories. I don't want "OUR" memories to be lost, thus the blog.
ReplyDeleteSo I'll start. One of my first memories of our tropical paradise high school was when I went with my mom to pick up my brother (SHS '63) due to his having car trouble. The second I saw the inside of (the "big kids school") Seacrest High School, I was in awe (I was still in Jr. High (Boynton)). The SHS building somehow seemed bigger than life and I lived to become a student at that school. I remember the 1st day of school at SHS like it was yesterday. I felt I'd finally arrived! I also felt cheated when "they" said we ('72) would NOT have the option of a SHS diploma! Now - pass the word about this blog. Let's pay tribute! Now, it's your turn to tell one of your SHS/AHS stories! Debbie Kolendo Wilson '72. (PS may have to remove the "anonymous" option soon to prevent spam so please subscribe.
The blending of the two schools SHS/CHS was 'desegregation' and it began during the 1970/1971 school year.
ReplyDeleteDesegregate: to abolish racial segregation.
My class of 1973, was the first official graduating class of AHS. We did not have any SHS/CHS years to our credit. We didn't wear beanies, sing the school song on the spot or polish the seal. We weren't anyones personal sophomore slaves.
AHS was a new school, with no traditions, nothing to be guided by. We were bused between campuses our sophomore year for half-day sessions at each (this took place only during the 70/71 school year). While trying to find our identity as a new school, we endured riots and bomb scares (10 in one day). We had a politically correct initiation! Things began to come together after that first year of 'forced busing' and AHS forged ahead to make its own mark in the lives and memories of its students. War Eagle Pride!
Atlantic High we hail and praise you, forward we shall go. Peace shall reign throughout our future as we live and know. Teach now to know thy wisdom, to know our loyalty. Atlantic High we all are brothers, proud we all shall be. Alma Mater 1973
While driving by on our way to the Delray Affair this year, I saw the main entrance still standing, as the posted pictures indicate. Wow, was all I could say. It struck me that the solitary entrance stood as a portal to our memories.
Wendy (Kanouse) DeVries
AHS '73
All that was just yesterday, wasn't it? Anyone know what the plans are for the property?
ReplyDeleteFred raises a good question: Why talk about old high school days? My Answer; Knowing the buiding was torn down made many of us want to make a verbal scrap book of stories, memories and history of SHS/CHS/AHS! Many (of us) have already forgotten an amazing fact: those of us who grew up in Boynton and Delray (years ago) grew up in small towns! Our families knew everybody in town (almost)! It's easy to forget how different life was then in comparison to current life in south Florida. But many also have no idea what school was like then and even more don't know the AHS history. Don't take that for granted. It's unique. Let's preserve OUR history! A great example is that Wendy noted in her post that 2 years after my class endured gentle Sophomore initiations (1969) that included wearing beanies, carrying books for seniors, scrubbing the seal, just 2 years later those traditions ended. What's your favorite story (teacher, sports event, class, etc)? Debbie Kolendo Wilson, '72
ReplyDeleteI know everyone liked the old school grounds and the fact that compared to other states it sure was unique in its design and openess. Let's not forget it wasn't always sunny and nice out. I remember walking in the halls getting rained on and sweating. I also remember the small square lockers that couldn't hold all the books I had let alone the stuff I thought was important. I miss the old school and can't believe the county couldn't use the facility for something else or keep the new school on the same grounds. I am a AHS 1987 graduate that has alot of memories to include JV and Varsity football and the pep rallies to boot. I remember the patio area where we all gathered outside of the cafeteria, the halls I would walk with my girlfriends and hang with my friends. I remember the football locker rooms where you could make out the painted over commemorations of the 70's winning seasons and the pride we took in that. The school still had a reputation, I learned from other schools we played football against, from the riot era and the winnng seasons. I took pride in that people knew our school and that it did have a history although a bad one. I remember our football team had to be escorted to and from the Belle Glade high school by the local police. I remember on the Grad night bus trip to Disney we had to have the bus searched by drug dogs. Oh the fun high school years. They were fun but man we do forget the not so fun stuff. Just to note some differences. My wife is from the class of '84 and they had open campus meaning you could leave for lunch. During my years there we had closed campus and everything was fenced in. I think my wife and her friends were actually responsible for that policy change. To all the "good years" and the memories created there and wild prom nights I experienced two '86 and '87! My daughter now attends the New Atlantic as an 11th grader. Lets cheer for the new grads and pray that they will cont to shine and make our area the better for it!
ReplyDeleteI was in the class of 1970, regret not having many pictures to remember the school (and friends) by. Always working odd jobs some place and wishing the high school years would go faster, not realizing how it would effect me later in life. I tell my grandchild to cherish every moment of her high school years. Her (future) senior spring break includes the option of a trip to Italy, wow how things have changed.
ReplyDeleteWhat ever happened to the Mack Brothers - Ronnie and Reggie? I still hurt from those guys.. Tougher than nails.. Greg Kouns - formerly of Riviera Beach
ReplyDeletefishingreg0153@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThis is Peter Krusell, '64.
ReplyDeleteI retired in 2011-computer architecture- and have been traveling ever since. I am writing from Mexico, for the last few years I have lived in the Ecuadorian Andes. All in all, visited 50 counties I believe, including living in one of my favorites, the Autrian Alps. Now I am deeply immersed in the Spanish language that Mr. Hill did his best to impart to us. Did my share of commercial flying, mostly freight, Canada to Mexico and most of the Caribbean. So wish that I could say hello to all you wonderful people, nothing compares to your dear friends from the high school years! Very best to all my friends.