Most of us don’t think twice about old school newspapers or yearbooks, especially the yellowed ones with faded photos and outdated fonts. But for me, something about the first edition of The Southerner—South High’s student newspaper—felt magical. I’d walked by it many times, but one evening, waiting for the late 5:20 bus, I finally gave in. I picked it up and read it.
That moment changed everything.
I thought reading it once would be enough. But it wasn’t. I found myself pulled into the stories and names from decades ago, feeling oddly connected to people I’d never met. So, I went deeper—and here’s what I found.
The Birth of South High School
South High School opened in 1958, just after World War II, during a time when the student population in Great Neck was growing fast. Many students from what’s now Great Neck North High School were moved to this new school, which was built on the land of the former Phipps estate.
The class of 1959 was South’s very first graduating class. Their yearbook, The Vista, offers a snapshot of what life was like in those early days. You can still view it online at gnhs1959.org under the “Yearbooks” section. It’s full of stories, club photos, and funny moments that give us a real feel for South High’s early culture.
A New Beginning with Old Friends
Back in 1959, the rivalry we now feel between North and South didn’t really exist. In fact, many South students came from North and brought strong friendships with them. With help from principal Ruel E. Tucker—whose name is still on the auditorium—they built a whole new school spirit together.
The yearbook says it well: these students “migrated to southern lands to establish the first graduating class… we didn’t forget the memories and friends shared up North, but we built many new ones to add to the old.”
Clubs, Sports, and School Spirit
Surprisingly, South High’s clubs in 1959 look a lot like the ones we have today. Theater, sports teams, Key Club, and The Southerner newspaper were already around. But some clubs from that era have faded out, like Hi-Y (a service club), the Junior Red Cross Council, and something called the General Organization (or G.O.), which helped organize school dances and events.
These clubs played a huge role in shaping school culture. Events like the “Soph Spree” (a volleyball and dance night), the “Spring Fling,” and “Senior Sumpin” were popular ways for students to connect and celebrate.
Values That Still Matter Today
One thing really stood out in the yearbook: how proud students were of their school and each other. The Vista says, “The student body at Great Neck South, with its enthusiastic support, was the primary factor in the overwhelming success of our first year.” That sense of unity and support made all the difference.
Even though some traditions have faded, others—like prom, Regents exams, and college prep—are still around today. South has become even more diverse and academically strong since those early years. Just like the first class, today’s students are curious, hardworking, and ready to make a difference.
A Lesson from the Past for Today’s Students
Reading the Vista made me think. Back in 1959, students worked hard not just for themselves, but for the whole school community. They brought music into the cafeteria and organized school-wide events, not because they had to, but because they wanted to.
Nowadays, it feels like we’re so focused on individual success—grades, college, extracurriculars—that we sometimes forget the value of coming together as a student body. Life wasn’t easy in the 1950s, and it’s not easy now, but maybe we could learn something from that “all for one, one for all” spirit. As the yearbook says, “The most important layer of bricks to South High’s foundation was the students.”
Maybe it’s time we build on that foundation again.
