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“Sock ‘em in the collar button - Hit ‘em in the jaw. Drag ‘em thru the ceme-tery, Rah! Rah! Rah!” Such was the yell quoted in one of the early Bonita yearbooks, calculated to strike fear into the hearts of the opposing team! Sports have always been most important to Bonita students. We are all very proud to have the athletic field named for Glenn Davis (class of ’43 ) who won 13 Varsity Letters at old Bonita, the Heisman Trophy in 1946, and at West Point set a record in physical fitness. Bonita was organized as a result of a 1902 State Constitutional Amendment which set aside state money for high schools. The high school students met first in a vacant store building, then in the La Verne Heights School building. Since Bonita served both La Verne and San Dimas, the site chosen on Bonita and (what was then) Grand Avenue, was midway between the two towns. The first (and only building until 1920) was completed for the 1904 fall session, and opened with 2 teachers and 34 students. The first graduating class in 1907 contained only 1 graduate. In 1910 there were only 70 students and five teachers, including the principal. By 1920 there were 120 students, and by 1930 there were 350 students and 21 teachers. The School Board was elected ‘at large’ but by unwritten agreement consisted of two members from La Verne, two from San Dimas, and one from La Verne Heights, (This “gentlemen’s agreement” is no longer honored.) Subjects were divided into “college preparatory” subjects and “vocational” subjects. In 1930, nine of the teachers taught college preparatory courses, and the other 12 taught pre-vocational courses, described as “subjects preparing for intelligent citizenship; aesthetic appreciation to lighten life’s labors ... ethical reactions through shop, laboratory, music, art, homemaking, commerce, dramatics, journalism, HI-Y, Girls’ League, physical education and athletics.” In 1910, the curriculum was expanded to include a course in Elementary Agriculture, the School Board reasoning that this would have a practical application to the boys’ daily lives. However, it was abandoned after several years without much interest shown by the students, who either thought they knew all they needed to on that subject, or didn’t want to follow in their father’s footsteps. The next subject introduced Home Economics, was more successful – in fact, requiring additional space. The trustees were able to finance a small building, just large enough for 3 classes, from their current funds. In the 1912 Annual, there is a good photo of this little building that apparently was built south of Durward Hall. |
Shortly after this, a Manual Training class was opened for the boys. Workbenches and tools were installed in a large room in the basement of the “Domestic Science”’ building. In 1920 the District voted Bonds for $250,000 and the large group of buildings was built, complete with arcade. A two-story Gymnasium was built and two school buses put into operation. The campus was enlarged to 23 acres, part of which was slated to be the athletic field. It was just hills and gullies with elevation differences of 18 feet. But with an engineering survey done by the science teacher, Rudolph Fisher, help from citizens with their “machines,” and “heroic efforts” of many students, the playing field was leveled. The students also built six cement double tennis courts. Not to be outdone, the Music students, under Mrs. Martha Dent, placed a full-sized Concert Grand piano in the new auditorium and had it paid for in only three years. In 1936 there was a great deal of work done with WPA money, which was spent with local firms almost exclusively. Four new buildings were built, three remodeled, a swimming pool built, and the grounds landscaped. The swimming pool was open during the summer – bathers, had to furnish their own suits, but towels could be rented for five cents. There were many athletic contests, honors and awards. The most unusual was a “Petite Silver Cup” given in 1936 to Priscilla Platt for having the best posture during her four years in high school.
The athletic teams were a source of pride to both communities winning many CIF Championships. Many outstanding citizens, both Scholars and Athletes, came from old Bonita. The last class graduated from the old campus in 1959 when the State Earthquake Standards went into effect. The Bonita Avenue campus was sold to the Catholic Diocese and a new high school built in La Verne. The San Dimas students were bused there for ten years, until San Dimas High was opened in 1970. Alma Mater, Hail to Thee! Loyal we shall ever be. Through the years our homage bring And to thy praises sing. For the friend’s, steadfast and true, Happy days we spend with you. We, thy sons and daughters, sing Hail! Bonita Hail! |
