Seeing JFK on the news recently brought back a memory that is still so vivid it’s hard to believe it happened a half-century ago! The date was September 3, 1960, and the place was the Anchorage Westward Hotel. The previous evening, John F. Kennedy had given the kick-off address for his Presidential campaign at the Edgewater Dining Room on the Seward Highway. As editor-in-chief of the Eagle’s Cry, I’d received permission to attend JFK’s press conference in the Chart Room.

Shortly before the press conference began, I was standing by an elevator in the Westward. The elevator doors opened and out stepped John F. Kennedy! Perhaps the red wool suit I wore caught his attention—or maybe it was because I was the youngest person in the vicinity. At any rate, he walked straight toward me, greeted me and shook my hand! What an awesome start to the day!

Local reporters and photographers, representatives of major radio and television networks, and national magazine and newspaper writers all attended the press conference. This was truly the big time! It was the day when notes were taken on paper  notepads…not the electronic gadgets of today. Action moved quickly as reporters fired off their questions. I remember the purposeful activity, the busy excitement, and the abruptness with which the press conference ended.

Bob Bartlett stands out in my mind as a man who was really attuned to young people. Sen. Bartlett took me under his wing that morning after my Dad introduced me to him. I had a feeling of confidence that came from sitting beside Sen. Bartlett during the press conference. And when it was over, he immediately escorted me to JFK so I could ask questions of my own!

Fifty years may have dimmed our memories, but we all carry special moments from our days at old Anchorage High! If you have a remembrance you’d like to share but need to jump-start it, contact me at bpjensen@alaska.net. Perhaps I can find an Eagle’s Cry article that  will help to jog your memory!

My story appeared in the first Eagle’s Cry of the school year with the photo below that was taken by an Anchorage Times photographer.

Pat Norton talks with JFK following his press conference at the Chart Room Sep. 3, 1960.

“On the Anchor…On the Anchor…!” We can all remember the refrains of the melody blaring forth from the AHS band as two basketball teams rushed onto the floor running their warm up drills—one in orange and white warm-up suits, the other in black and white—EAST and WEST—one high school, two teams; ever the twain shall meet!  We loved our cheerleaders, majorettes and flag girls as they whirled and twirled.

During our Junior and Senior years, AHS had grown so large that our school had to be divided into two athletic teams to be fair to the rest of Alaska.  The rivalry and the camaraderie were both intense.  In the ’59-’60 basketball season, West was picked to win it all, and East was the “Cinderella” team.  In its first game of the Western Alaska double elimination tournament, East fell behind 16-0 and lost 32-30.  By Saturday of the tournament week, East had to play Seward in the morning and win that game to remain alive.  Then they had to play West that night, and, if they won, again on Monday night since West was undefeated (just before the Monday night game, there was a power failure, and the teams were still playing at midnight after a long delay).  East won both games and the Western Alaska title before going on to Juneau for the state championship where they lost (playing in the cracker box Juneau HS gym—more neutral venues might have helped).

The ’60-’61 basketball season began with both East and West expected to have strong teams (East was even favored by some to win it all with several returning players).  West got off to the better start beating East in the first two outings.  East won the next two.  But, both teams faltered early in the Western Alaska tournament, leaving Fairbanks, Seward and Palmer to vie for the championship.

What we remember from the basketball seasons is not so much the details of the games but the sense of togetherness we felt as teams and as a school.  Who can forget the train trips to Fairbanks and Seward for the games—rolling parties which lasted for hours and were so much FUN?!  We loved the friendly competition in the halls leading up to game days.  I can remember some of us trying to jump into our pants with both legs so that we wouldn’t be like other mortals who “put their pants on one leg at a time!”  We felt a school spirit unrivaled since.

We know now that our coaches were trying to build people as much and more than programs.  They gave us something very constructive to do (both in practice and at the games) during the long Alaskan winter nights.  They helped shape our character and willingness to work and play hard which we would need for the years ahead.  We learned to love and appreciate them and each other in the process, and we look back on those times with longing, nostalgia, and wonderful memories.

We’ll share those memories and so many others this June—the more of us there, the more wonderful it will be!

When my son was about 5 years old, he proclaimed, “Dad the only thing in life worth keeping is memories.”  That was a pretty profound statement for a five year old, so I asked why he felt that way.  He went on to explain that memories could be enjoyed alone or shared with friends, and could be taken anywhere you go.  Over the 35 years since he made that statement I have reflected upon just how true it was.  Now, 50 years after graduating high school, I find myself remembering the good times, the struggles, the triumphs, and the failures.  I have certainly kept and reflected on many of those memories.  The following is one I chose to share with my classmates.

In the spring of my senior year I volunteered to work with a staff of young ladies to coordinate and put on the Science Fair Dance.  I had never undertaken a project like that but was blessed to be working with several very talented young ladies who knew exactly what to do.  The dance was to be held in the cafeteria, and the decision was made that we would decorate in a nautical theme.  One girl’s father or uncle loaned us enough fishing net to cover the ceiling, and I had a large number of the old Japanese glass ball fish net floats and some dried starfish.  It seemed that everyone had something to contribute.  Soon we had the place looking really nice.

The dance was a real success with lots of dancers and little or no trouble, although I suspect someone spiked one of the bowls of punch.  When the dance was over and we were able to pick up and clean up, we were almost giddy with our delight for having “pulled it off.”  Once cleanup was over we all piled into my car, a little red Triumph convertible, and headed downtown to cruise 4th and 5th avenues. It was the thing to do back then.  One of the girls, I don’t remember who, suggested we go to the radio station and demand they play a particular song.  At that time, the station (I think it was KFQD) was located about where Northern Lights Blvd. and Wisconsin St. are now.  So at 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning, we are out there beating on the front door of the station until the operator came out and agreed to play the song.  He grumbled on-the-air about being interrupted by a rowdy group of teenagers.

I should also mention that the Science Fair itself was a huge success.  There were participants from all over the state, and our very own student body president, Ronald Berg, earned ribbons in the senior physical division and “Best-in-Show.”  We had many other winners spread throughout the categories; Harold Scott, Pat Moore, Joel Wight, Hugh Barber, Lynn Cook, Lewis Madden, Dick Gillam, and Mary Ann Neher to mention a few.  Many others placed or won in other divisions.  The Eagles Cry contained a very nice synopsis for all to review.

All in all, it left me with very fun and fond memories of the entire event.  Hopefully, this little missive will bring back other great memories from those years for some of you.

— Mike Nolan