Wyvern Tales Reminiscing Fifty Years Ago, Fall 1974

Welcome to the new school year! Hope you all had a fabulous summer with family and friends!

The start of a new school year always brings excitement, anxiety, curiosity and anticipation for what’s ahead. Hopefully, for those alums from 50 years ago this September in 1974, the following will bring back fond memories! Do you remember?…

Advisee groups were responsible for cleaning the Roberts Center. Each advisee group was designated to clean on a particular day. The duties included policing the halls and bathrooms, and picking up litter. The program was initiated in the spring “to remind all students that they live in the center a great many hours and they are all responsible for its appearance”. 

The football team was ready to defend its undefeated and untied title from last fall, which would be the third undefeated season in four years. Coach Joel Lorden welcomed back 42 players, with 16 lettermen returning.

K-O thespians were looking forward to performing “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” that November. 

The KO library welcomed the first xerox machine for student use. Any copied material for class projects was free, any copies for personal use cost five cents a copy.

Seniors returned to find out that there was a new senior table arrangement in the dining hall. There were only two tables (10 places each for three daily lunch periods), which meant overcrowding. This, along with the fact that the privilege of senior morning coffee was eliminated, caused quite a stir!

The 20th annual K-O book fair would take place on Hewett Day, which was established to encourage reading and to raise funds “for the support and enrichment of the libraries”. 

Also, the traditional  “Wishing Well” would take place that same day. A variety of books that the libraries had on a wish list were held at the Wishing Well, which students, parents, faculty, and staff could purchase and donate. 

This would be the first year of Hewett Day participation for the Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team.

Three new proposals to the constitution that would be presented for discussion included-Senior Sign In. Seniors would be able to come to school no later than 11:24 and sign in, except for Thursdays because of assemblies. Parental consent would be needed. 

Permitting seniors to wear beards if they wanted. 

When the Headmaster vetoes a bill he would have to give and justify his reasons for doing so at assembly. 

The Service Club, once again, would sponsor “Cookie Day”. Students from a designated form would be responsible for baking cookies, which would be donated to Mitchell House, a community center in Hartford for the elderly and shut-ins. 

The Film Club planned on showing ski and horror films. Requests for “Bonnie and  Clyde”, “The French Connection”, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “2001:A Space Odyssey would be considered. 

(Information- KO News-Sept./Oct. 1974, photos-Kingswood-Oxford Today Magazine March, 1975)

As always, I ask you to please share your memories with me! [email protected]

Looking forward to a great year of reminiscing-Oxford, Kingswood, KO!