News
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Santa Barbara Junior High School’s 75 Years of Service to the Community
Santa Barbara Junior High School’s first academic year was 1932-33. While education was in full swing at 721 East Cota Street on Santa Barbara’s Eastside, the nation was in the grip of the Great Depression; that November President Herbert Hoover was defeated by Franklin D. Roosevelt; Aldous Huxley published his novel Brave New World; work started on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge; and for ten cents you could buy a gallon of gas or a can of Campbell’s soup. Well, time marches on and now it is time to celebrate 75 years of academic excellence, learn about the school’s history, and view an architectural landmark. On March 8, 2008, from 11:00 am until 4:30 pm, the community is invited to participate in the diamond anniversary of this exquisite community gem, located at 721 East Cota Street.
The kickoff will begin with an 11:30 opening ceremony in the Marjorie Luke Theater. The opening ceremony will be followed by activities for children and adults, including: architectural/historic walking tours; musical and dance performances in the Marjorie Luke Theater (including performances by students from Santa Barbara High School and feeder schools Peabody, Montecito Union, and Cleveland); a student-run carnival; food booths; scavenger hunt; classroom activities; silent auction and raffle; and a grand finale performance. A timeline of the day’s events and updates will be posted on the school’s website: http://www.sbceo.org/~sbjhs/.
Not to be missed is a 1934 mural in the school library by noted local artist Douglas Parshall. According to library media teacher Linelle Glass, the mural was funded by the federal government during the Depression and completed in about three months. The tranquil outdoor setting includes several male athletes representing traditional Olympian sports.
It’s not too late for former students, staff, and parents to share their memories of the school by completing the form on the school’s website: http://www.sbceo.org/~sbjhs/75anniversary.html
For more information on the event, Ms. Joie McKay can be reached through the office at Santa Barbara Junior High School, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, (805) 963-7751