Hallways

While this page or section is filling in, its obvious from the continued growth of this web site that the Jackson spirit has survived, despite the demise of the building that held that spirit.

The "sign" on the left appeared in the JHS hallway during the 67-68 school term.

The letter to the Editor below, was written by a 69 alumni who lends voice to that feeling that many alumni have mentioned and a feeling that helped to make Jackson a special place: of our spirit and pride.

As a kid, I looked forward to attending the best high school in South Bend as did my classmates. Little did we know back then that our class would be the last to realize that desire and to graduate from Jackson High School in the Spring of 1975.

Letter to the Editor January 20, 1967

Tigers-

I am a former Jackson student, and recently moved to Southern California. Upon arriving here I started looking around for the nicest school to enter and all that I found was one overcrowded high school.

When I started at this school, I heard that it had Number 1 teams in every sport, which includes an undefeated season in football this year. But one thing was lacking; school spirit.

As I walked down the halls at Jackson I could feel something in the air. I especially felt it this year just before I left. It is a feeling that I have found nowhere else. I pick up my back issues of the Old Hickory, or my Jacksonian and look at the events that happened throughout the year, or at all the friends I had, and I can feel that same feeling coming back to me. On each face, in every picture, it is written everywhere - this is where you belong: you're a Jacksonite.

It's not only a team but the school that makes a winning season,* and Jackson has not lost any yet. Even through a 22-game losing streak Jackson had a winning team, because it had a winning school backing it.


67 Booster Club

Now I realize how much Jackson is a part of me. I don't belong to the high school that I am attending, but I still belong to Jackson. So go in and yell at the games for me, because I can't.

Thank you

Kenton D. Van

*In that case, Jackson remains undefeated.

69 Booster Club
(click on image to view larger photo)

Right: Class of 69's hallway

Hallway Competition: Spirit Week

Once a year in the fall, there would be a competition between the classes for the most "spirited" hallway.

Each class was assigned a hallway to decorate - with the Seniors getting the best hallway, and heavily favored. Conversely, the Freshman were assigned the lesser of all hallways and given odds of winning a tad bit higher than dirt.

The freshman class of '71 and '75 overcame those odds to beat out the competition all four years.

The poem on the right was the theme selected our freshman year. It's schmaltzy, but its the only poem I could remember, so the dorky poem lives again and inspired a reprise for our 25th reunion*.

It was fun writing and being a part of Spirit Week, watching the talented students transform the hallways of JHS with pride and spirit.

*Year 2000 Reprise:
We've Only Just Begun.

(Freshman Theme poem written for the 1971-72 Hallway Competition)

We've Only Just Begun

We've only just begun to fight

that's how that song must go,

and we Freshman have a right to fight,

fight for Jackson and to win our might

and do our best to make life right.....

Maybe we are only Freshmen to you
But someday we'll grow up

and be human too...

It's how it seems to be,
that freshman are to young to know
how easy life can be but...

...We've only just begun.
- Jessica Faltot '75