"The Mystics" enjoyed all of the then-standard activities for a Senior Class: We elected class officers; chose a class name and mascot; fund-raised; selected our class colors and painted the benches in Senior Court, ever vigilant about non-seniors in that most hallowed space; fund-raised; selected a class song and theme; fundraised; ordered and wore Senior Sweaters with patches designed by a class member; fund-raised; selected the 'Class Personalities' categories of "Most" and "Best" (most likely to, best dressed, best low-rider, most musical, etc.) and their winners; conducted numerous Color Day events including a Car Show & Car Wash fund-raiser (yet another fund-raising activity!); enjoyed a Senior Prom (that almost wasn't!); and sat for a group "Senior Picture" on the bleachers at Dodson Field. As our Senior Year drew to a close, we signed "annuals" (now called yearbooks), attended the Senior Convocation; and held a Senior Supper.

Finally, on June 16, 1972, we graduated as the largest-ever class from SPHS. Along the way we also strived to obtain an education. Those who were college-bound submitted ACT and SAT test scores; completed college applications; begged for, and then submitted, teacher and counselor written letters of recommendation; and sweated through the entire process. Some transitioned to a less intimidating college atmosphere as we headed off for a local community college and either pursued a transfer curriculum, a vocational/occupational or professional education. For some, the next jumping off point was military service, and although the "boys" in our class were the first in eons not subject to the Draft for Vietnam, many of our class members served there, as well as all around the world. Others pursued marriage and parenthood immediately out of high school. And yet others of us stumbled along until we discovered what it was that we wanted to do "when we grow up"...some of us are still seeking that elusive want!

We are now in our early fifties, having finally reached that magical age of '50',and find that our careers as well as life-styles are more diverse than they were in those sometimes magical, almost-always-painful, high school years.

Some of us are now blessed with grandchildren, while some are yet raising young children of our own.

We are employed along the shore as stevedores and in the fishing industry; we are police officers, firefighters, nurses, paramedics, physicians, and PhD's; technical, electronics and PC wizards; military officers, enlisted personnel and fighter pilots. We are salespersons and self-employed business people; musicians and artists; managers, insurance and banking executives; hairstylists, manicurists and personal care-givers. We are software engineers, civil engineers, network engineers and waste engineers, as well as teachers, instructors and professors, and some of us are ranchers, sheep farmers and animal breeders. We are telephone installers, construction professionals, electricians and plumbers.

We are civic minded volunteers, involved with community groups, sports, scouts, church and youth groups.

We are "every person", yet each of us is our own unique person, all at once. We are as diverse economically and professionally as any group or organization can be...AND we share a special family and bond...San Pedro High School's Class of 1972.

SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL'S HISTORY

San Pedro High School (San Pedro, CA) is the third oldest school within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Opened in 1903, there were three teachers and 23 students, only one of whom was a senior - Maud Wayne Patterson - who, in 1904, was the first person to graduate from SPHS.

Originally high school classes were conducted on the second floor of Sixteenth Street Elementary School, which is now known as Fifteenth Street School. In 1906 the new San Pedro High school opened its own campus on Gaffey Street between 12th and 13th streets. Seventh and eighth graders were added in 1907, and Winter graduations were begun in 1910. The first "Black and Gold" yearbook was also published in 1910. The "Fore'N'Aft" student newspaper was founded in 1920. SPHS's first band was organized in 1922 under the leadership of Raymond Crawford.

In February 1928 junior high school students (seventh, eighth and ninth grades) moved into the newly completed Richard Henry Dana Junior High School. The Long Beach earthquake of March 10, 1933 seriously damaged the high school's buildings on Gaffey between 12th and 13th streets, so in 1934 a new campus was commissioned at its current site, the former Dodson Estate. The new one-million dollar campus was first occupied in 1937 and construction by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) was completed in 1939.

After World War II new traditions were the order of the day...Senior Court opened in 1945 and senior classes began painting their class colors on the benches in 1967...other traditions, such as class day and senior sweaters disappeared in the 1980s. Winter graduations were discontinued with the SPHS Class of Winter 1970. During the 60s SPHS's enrollment burgeoned, hitting a high of over 3,200 enrolled in 1973.

In 1984 the community, alumni and school came together to build "Alumni Field" on the site of the former Dodson Field. In 2000, a five million dollar, 6,000-seat lighted football stadium and all weather track became "Pirate Stadium". (This information was collected from the official San Pedro High School website [with thanks to Debbie (Wheatley) Ferguson, class member, SPHS teacher and one-time SPHS web mistress], and from "San Pedro, The First One Hundred Years 1888-1988" published by the "Daily Breeze", March 24, 1988.)

© Copyright 2002-2006. CLASS OF 1972 REUNION COMMITTEE (SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL), an all-volunteer, unincorporated non-profit association. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Any unauthorized use of any material contained on this Site may violate Copyright Laws, Trademark Laws, the laws of privacy and publicity, and communications regulations and statutes.