Lake Oswego, Oregon

Lake Oswego High School, Lake Oswego Oregon

The doors of Lake Oswego High School were first opened in 1950. Since then it has grown from a six-year school to a three-year and (in 1971) to a four-year school. The co-curricular and vocational programs offered help to present a balanced curriculum to meet the needs of all students. In its history the school and other Lake Oswego schools have received many honors for scholarship, leadership, and athletics on the local, state, and national level.

From its location and name, Lake Oswego High School adopted a nautical theme. The nickname is “Lakers.” The colors are navy blue, like the deepest ocean representing steadfast loyalty; and white; like the crests of waves, representing purity. The anchor is the school symbol and suggests steadfast purpose. The mascot is a seaman dressed in raingear, who is called “Pilot Joe.” Continuing to carry out the theme are the names of the school’s several publications: Lake Views, (newspaper), Laker Log (yearbook), Daily Log (bulletin), Helmsman (weekly faculty newsletter and calendar), Reflections (literary yearbook), and this Pilot (handbook). Also named using the nautical theme are the Show Choir “The Windjammers”, the Boys quartet the “Poop Decks”, and the Girls quartet the “Dockside Dollies”.

In order to build tradition and to demonstrate loyalty, graduating classes have added to the school various gifts:

• On the deck-like area near the flagstaff the Class of 1957 placed an anchor and planted a rose garden. It has been sitting in the back of the faculty parking lot ever since the remodel.
• The bronze seal mounted on the wall in the main entry hall was a gift of the class of 1958.
• In 1960, the graduating class began a scholarship for every following senior class.
• The Class of 1963 donated the concession stand at the west end of the running track, although it was replaced in the recent remodeling.
• The baseball dugout arose from the generosity of the Class of 1964.
• The school received a beautiful custom-built speaker’s podium from the class of 1988.
• The Class of 2000 donated two large banners with the lyrics to the school’s fight song and alma mater that now hang in the new West gym. The class also had two anchors painted on the East gym floor.
• The Class of 2004 had “Lakers” painted on the wall in the new West gym.
• A bonfire pit will be the gift of the 2006 graduating class.