On October 7, 2023, the 100th Year Edition of the BLUE ACE BULLETIN was published commemorating 100 years of Wichita High School East. Thanks to Jake Jacobs, we have a copy of that paper and will present the articles from that publication to you. This is the seventh in the series. The original title is the title of this article. This article is particularly long and is presented as 2 different postings on the website. It is notable that the history of East is mostly silent from 1931 through 1960. I guess we did not create enough interest to be recorded by history.
Because of growing interest in vocational education and industrial arts, a vocational building was added in 1931 and another in 1952. In 1960, the swimming pool was enlarged, and the kitchen and cafeteria areas were renovated. In 1964, the walkway between the main building and the old shops was enclosed and heated. In the summer of 1968, a $1,100,000 Vocational Technical Center of the Wichita Area Vocational Technical School was opened on the Wichita High School East campus at 301 S Grove.
In 1976-1977, construction of a library, a media center and a new cafeteria facility connected the second floor of Wichita High School East and Roosevelt Junior High. The old cafeteria, the library, and administrative office areas were remodeled and the sculpture and pond were moved closer to Douglas to make room for this new construction.
In 2002, a new gym was built to replace the old gym. The old gym was converted into the science wing. The cafeteria was remodeled, art classrooms were constructed, and air conditioning was added to the entire building. These renovations removed the building’s swimming pool, auto mechanics building and 500 Hall, which housed the wood shops.
In 2011, East added a secondary gym and a new swimming pool. In 2012, the school opened the new performing arts center, featuring a 600-seat theater, instrumental rehearsal spaces and vocal music room.
At present, the campus consists of two main complexes that are referred to as the East Complex (originally Wichita High School East) and the West Complex (originally Roosevelt Junior High).
Many diversified activities have been part of our graduates’ stay at Wichita High School East, from its Peppy Pilots, the Messenger, Hangar, our own radio station, DECA, student government, debate , instrumental and vocal music, National Honor Society, Thespians, Math, Science, Chess, Bible, Latin, Spanish, German, and French Clubs, to the athletic teams, cheerleaders, pom-pom squads/dance, MADD, and Multi-Cultural Club. The list has grown to over 50 clubs.
Our heritage is a mixture of education philosophies from conservator of traditional attitudes and practices as well as a vehicle for social change. Teachers and mentors stress punctuality, industriousness, honesty, and self-discipline. Wichita High School East has many inspiring, knowledgeable teachers who love not only their profession but also their students.
The old, huge complex with all its wisdom and age, steeped in rich tradition, stands silently guarding the corner of Douglas and Grove, waiting for its next generation of graduates. As in the past, Wichita High School East’s work remains complex, unfinished and ongoing.
