The Legal History of the School
by Laura Lou Jorgenson (Sherman) '43
The history of Herbert Hoover senior high school dates back to May 15, 1928, when bonds were voted to erect another high school in San Diego. Citizens of the eastern part or San Diego can justly be proud that the new school was to be located in this section of the city. Ground was duly purchased and the contract for building was Jet Au- gust 28, 1929. Ground breaking took place September 4, 1929. And on October 26 of the same year after a fitting ceremony, the cornerstone of Herbert Hoover High School was laid and a message from the Board or Education was placed in it. The building was erected under special supervision, and on July 2, 1930 the San Diego Board of Education gave official acceptance.
On September 2. 1930. Hoover High opened its doors and some nine hundred anxious students made up the new student body. They inaugurated the commissioner type of student government in San Diego. Optimism reigned all through the institution and many worthy traditions began. Mr. Johnson informed President Hoover or our new school, and he replied expressing his appreciation that the school had been named in honor of him. In his letter he said. "I shall hope that it may long and usefully serve the young men and women who enter in search of truth and of leadership in moral and spiritual ideals. Herbert Hoover high school was dedicated April 24, 1931, by an elaborate ceremony. Ed Seidel. Commissioner of Welfare. gave the dedication speech, and Hoover High .was decided to THE HIGH IDEALS OF THE PERFECT CITIZEN. In the speech, special stress was given to the four-fold purpose of an education given by President Hoover. .‘The trained hand, the informed mind. the generous spirit, and the disciplined character are the true ends of education."
The Tower Day Ceremony. a fitting tradition established by the departing senior class of 1932. was inaugurated on June 21. The object of this impressive ceremony was to obtain a lasting record or the signatures of every student who graduated from Herbert Hoover High. The senior class provided a large, red leather-bound book in which the entire graduating class signed their names. When the signatures were complete the class would present the book to the president or the next graduating class so the Tower Day Ceremony would be carried on for years to come. The last class to have the honor of Tower Day was the class of 1976. On June I8, 1976 the Tower was tom down so that a new earthquake resistant school could be put in its place.