This school year, The Forum reaches its 60th year of publication, and we’re marking the occasion in style. As any good newspaper would, we want to celebrate with what we do best: journalism. So, every month, we’re re-winding the clock and giving you the highlights of six decades of our coverage. We ask only that you sit back, relax, and enjoy a good long look at Latin through the years.
In November 1969, 56 years ago – the Latin community’s eyes were on the Apollo 12 launch: “From the moment I spotted that 36-story-tall rocket with its 180 million horsepower, I had a feeling Apollo 12 would lick the weather just as it did a leaking fuel truck.”
In November 1972, 53 years ago – our girls sports teams used to be called the Amazons: “The Amazons wound up their largely successful season in a tie for second place with North Shore in league competition.”
In November 1974, 51 years ago – seniors, if you’re stressed about Senior Project proposals, imagine having to write a cumulative end-of-high-school paper: “As long as we can remember, one of the requirements of your senior year at Latin has always been to write a final term paper called a “Senior paper.” Last year, however, the senior paper was abolished and replaced by term papers which the English and history departments were to assign, to be due at the end of each semester.”
In November 1977, 48 years ago – Project Week (then known as J-week) almost got moved to October: “Last year the faculty voted … to split J-Week and have the middle school in April and the upper school in October. For several reasons the upper school was not able to get its plans ready for October, and so that has been put off.”
In November 1981, 44 years ago – first quarter grades were re-introduced last year, but 44 years ago, they were a new concept: “Students will receive four solid grades this school year instead of the two semester grades along with one or two interim grades received in the past.”
In November 1985, 40 years ago – Latin students got on the set of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”: “Since the FORUM had obtained V.I.P. status, they were able to interview on the set as well as act in and watch the production which will premiere next spring. They met and talked with Mr. Hughes as well as Matthew Broderick, the star of the film.”
In November 1988, 37 years ago – the swim team was co-ed: “Unfortunately, at Latin Kathy [Morgenstern] can not swim with a girls team because we are too small to foster two swim teams. Often she must compete with many male athletes who are twice her size, but she seems to win anyhow.”
In November 1989, 36 years ago – our beloved co-Editor-in-Chief, junior Rohin Shah, may have been dethroned as the biggest opponent of Latin’s club overpopulation: “I keep thinking that there are too many clubs to choose from this year. In a school where we are encouraged to get involved in as many activities as we can, it has become increasingly difficult to do the same activities as we have in the past. You might be thinking that I just have too much work to do. Actually, the problem is that most of the club meetings coincide during activities period on Thursdays.”
In November 1990, 35 years ago – GPA might be making a comeback next year, but in 1990 the school abolished class rank: “The most profound accomplishment eliminates a hundred and three year tradition at the Latin School: the computing of class rank. The outcome of the resolution will undoubtedly lead to a larger matriculation rate into the elite universities in the country. The abolishment of class rank relieves students of the pressure of academia.”
In November 1991, 34 years ago – if you trudged through school last Tuesday, can you imagine coming in on Wednesday? “Dont Forget: Half Day – November 27; No Classes November 28, 29; Happy Thanksgiving!”
