Cleveland Heights High School 1901-1966 page 6
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In April 1930, the Heights band gave its first concert in the new auditorium. A month later, the year-old band would be rated tops in Cleveland! During the summer, work began on the first addition to the big building, along the Lee Road side.

In the fall of 1930, the band appeared for the first time in its new uniforms at a football game, beginning a long tradition of Marching Band performances at each foot-ball game.

Acappella Choir at Severance Hall

An important date in Heights' musical history was in October 1930, when George Strickling came to Heights to form the choir which was to become nationally and even world renowned. Strickling's first contribution was the fight song which he introduced in December of the same year.

In December the student body learned of the sudden death of David Chizek, perhaps the most outstanding athlete to graduate from Heights. A small bronze monument was erected at the south end of Hosford Stadium in his memory.

The Heights Band and Orchestra made the first of their many radio appearances in March, 1931. In that spring, also, the Tiger Cagers reigned once again as LEL co-champions.

In October of the 1931-32 school year, Mr. Strickling in conjunction with Mr. Hindsley, the band director, initiated the first LEL Choral Festival. Mr. Hindsley's band was acclaimed as the best in Cleveland according to many newspaper articles. It officially won the city band contest in May 1926. The winter of 1932 witnessed the start of "honor study halls." These continued through 1935 because of the lack of teacher personnel available during the depression. Student monitors were in charge of the large study halls and the pupils had the choice of going to study hall or leaving the school during free periods. In the first years of operation, student cooperation was commend-able and the honor study plan as successful.

During the winter of 1932 the swimming team began a five year domination of that sport by winning the Northern Ohio area championship. They went on to win the state crown - and during this same winter the basketball team clinched another LEL championship.

By September, 1932 worlds had crashed around Heights; the effects of the depression finally were evident in the school. The B & G pleaded for subscriptions announcing that it would have to suspend publications if 750 subscriptions were not realized. During the spring semester the newspaper succumbed to the depression and suspended publication for lack of student support. Baseball, as a varsity sport, was likewise temporarily discontinued.

Population growth in Cleveland Heights did; not decline during the depression years - the student body grew rapidly. Too rapidly, in fact, for the slow pace that faculty members were increased. The pupil-teacher ratio reached a high of 33 to 1 during the depression. Most teachers taught six classes a day.

November of 1932 marked more success for the football team as the Tiger gridders were co-champs of the LEL. In December the B & G won a first place in a Journalism contest - one of the many awards that the paper has won throughout the history of the high school.

A new requirement for graduation was added in the 1933 school year as hygiene for boys was introduced to the curriculum. Girls had been studying hygiene for a few years.

November, 1933 marked an important date in Heights history as Shaker Heights High played its first LEL game against Heights, thus began the tremendous rivalry which has continued to this day. Shaker won the game.

In Spring 1934 the swim team captured its third successive state crown! The band, too, brought honor to Heights by participating in a national contest in Iowa.

Roy M. Flint came to Heights in 1935 to begin a long, illustrious career as assistant principal. He would serve under three Heights administrators.

Heights High School Symphony Orchestra - 1934

Commercial Law was added to the program of studies before the 1934-35 school year. Ralph E. Rush came to Heights as the band and orchestra leader and promptly led the Heights orchestra to first division honors in the national high school orchestra contest at Madison, Wisconsin.

Honor study halls ended in 1935 as conditions became unbearable during 1934 in the student monitored rooms. Faculty supervision was reinstated because "high school pupils are, generally speaking, too immature to exercise full discretion of the use of their unassigned time."

In the Spring the effects of the depression were still being felt as once again the B & G was forced to plead for subscriptions.

So ended this early decade of Heights' history. The depression years had their temporary effect, but the energy which has always marked Heights High's growth was still present, ready to move the school along the paths of maturity and success.