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Greek influence at Skyline High evident in mosaics, murals, more
By Ryan Barnes*
Skyline High School’s past is both extensive and vastly different from the way the campus is today.
Construction first began on 12250 Skyline Blvd. in 1959. The site was chosen because of its immense natural beauty and serene atmosphere. Construction, which took two years, was completed in 1961. The original name chosen for skyline was Hill Area High School; however, two prominent Oaklanders, George R. Sistek and John Kingston, suggested renaming the school after the stunning boulevard on which the school was built. The school was officially named Skyline High School in February 1961.
On Dec. 14, 1961, the student body voted to adopt a Greek theme. They first selected a house-type government, in which the students of Skyline were divided into five counseling groups containing sophomores, juniors and seniors. Each group was named after a different Greek house: delta, Epsilon, Phi, Chi, and Omega. The counselor of each house was also the house adviser.
“The five houses would not only sponsor events, but would often compete against each other in various activities,” said English teacher Nancy Stewart, who has been a part of Skyline since 1980 and has learned about Skyline’s history through her years of heading the yearbook. “This included things [such as] bake-offs and sports.
Each house had an executive branch, a legislative branch, and a judicial branch. The officials within each branch were elected by the members of their house. Each house had a court, where they would assist the administration in various school decisions.
“Let’s say that a student was late to class many times,” said Stewart. “The court would decide what the student’s punishment would be. [The student body] chose the house system because it would get [students] more involved in the democratic system, [which would] develop leadership in them. It gave the students a much more active and efficient role in the way Skyline was run, and [they were thus] motivated to participate in government.”
Maintaining the Greek theme, the student body chose the Titan as the school mascot.
In Greek mythology, the Titans were mighty giants. They were valiant warriors who were revered and idolized for their greatness and eternal glory. The student body felt like all incoming student should emulate the Titans. They felt that the new school was to have high standards, and the Titan would be the symbol of these standards.
The Greek theme was carried on to the newspaper and the yearbook. In Greece, an oracle was a person through whom a deity was believed to speak and, thus reveal a vast amount of hidden knowledge. As a result, the newspaper was named “The Oracle” and was dedicated to bringing knowledge to students.
The yearbook was entitled “the Olympian,” which was also used to promote the prominence of the new school. Olympians in Greek mythology were the 12 principal gods of the Greek pantheon. By calling the yearbook “The Olympian,” the students hoped its reputation would reflect the dedicated and hardworking faculty and student body which were shown in the yearbook pages.
The theme of Skyline was not only based upon the Greeks, but also individual choice.
“Back then, there were a wide variety of electives that were available to students,” said Stewart.
“There was auto shop, sewing class and home economics, just to name a few. [As a matter of fact], those in sewing class make their own clothes, which were sent to modeling agencies for consideration. As for the auto shop, [it provided] a place for students and teacher alike to have their cars repaired. [Students] basically had a lot of programs where they could carry out their interests and passions.”
Skyline also had an on-campus employment program. A portion of an insurance company was run on campus, providing students with training in business. The program was phased out due to a lack of funds, and because students were required to take other classes to meet requirements set by the University of California system.
Although many are disheartened to have watch Skyline lose quality programs and activities, there are those who still hold much hope for the school
“Skyline’s greatest asset it its wonderful student body,” said Spanish teacher Sondra Schwartz.
“They were the best part of Skyline back then, and they are undoubtedly just as vital now,” she said. “Skyline’s hope lies in its students. With the support of the student body, the sky is not even a limit for our school.”
*This article, written by one of Skyline’s journalism students, originally appeared in the June 2008 issue of “Oaktown Teen Times,” Oakland’s Teen Newspaper.
Note: In the fall of 1997, the secondary schools in Oakland were restructured. Junior high schools became middle schools (grades six through eight), and high schools added the ninth grade.
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