LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Kingston
High School to be celebrated on April 18-19, 2015

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose
exemplary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate an enduring
pursuit of excellence in the education of the youth of this noble Empire
State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of Kingston High School celebrated with a
special weekend event on April 18-19, 2015; this auspicious occasion
will feature numerous programs, including the momentous groundbreaking
of the new Kingston High School building; and
WHEREAS, Kingston High School first opened its doors on September 7,
1915, when rival schools, Kingston Academy and Ulster Academy, merged to
form one united high school in a grand neo-classical style campus
centrally located across from City Hall in the City of Kingston; and
WHEREAS, This new building encompassed several amenities including:
basement locker rooms, a cafeteria, auditorium with space for the entire
student body, an electronic bell system which automatically signaled the
end of one period and the beginning of the next, study halls and a full
service library; and
WHEREAS, The 800 students of the inaugural class at Kingston High
School were provided with a comprehensive curriculum, including:
English, math, science, history, industrial arts, art and design and
physical education; and
WHEREAS, Even in its early years, Kingston High School offered the
most expansive sports programs and social organizations in Ulster Coun-
ty; there were baseball, football and basketball teams as well as 10
different student clubs, such as debating society and a noted theatre
group; and
WHEREAS, Many of the sports teams, particularly those with female
participation, originated as intramural offerings that were not estab-
lished as official athletic programs until 1971 when volleyball, soft-
ball, basketball, track, tennis and gymnastics were added; today, there
are 16 girls and 18 boys varsity teams that continue to attain Section
and Conference Titles, break state records and develop students into
successful collegiate athletes; and
WHEREAS, The Maroon, Kingston High School's Year Book Committee, was
formed in 1915 and continues to be one of the most important student
body groups; from a photograph of the boy's Midget Basketball Team in
1918, to the most recent snapshots of the 100th Anniversary Parade held
on the first day of classes in 2014, this publication embodies the bond
and school spirit of students, faculty and community; and
WHEREAS, In the High School's inaugural year, Hazel Toole became the
first May Queen, marking the beginning of a 100-year tradition known as
the May Day festival; this event brings together scholars, educators and
parents in the Kate Walton Field House to celebrate the Spring season,
and especially acts as a recognition and farewell ceremony for the
Senior Class; and
WHEREAS, With the leadership of two faculty members, Agnes Scott Smith
and Clarence M. Dumm, Kingston High students established the first
school newspaper called DAME RUMOR in 1932; the periodical, now referred
to as HIGHLIGHTS, symbolizes one of over 50 student organizations that
live on today; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, several other clubs were established includ-
ing: Hiking Club, Chess Club, Harvard Model United Nations and Math
Team, to name a few; one of the most prominent of these organizations
was the National Honor Society, formed in 1939, and which continues to
recognize and extend membership to individuals for their scholarship,
service, leadership and character; and
WHEREAS, In 1917, the Kingston High School Alma Mater was written and
composed by then students, Olga Vanslyke Owen and Miriam Pitts; this
original composition continues to be the official school song today; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed educational institution has greatly developed
over the years, and has been guided by outstanding leadership from
Charles Moulton in 1915, to the longest tenured Principal, Dan Allen, to
the current leader, Principal Kirk Reinhardt along with many profes-
sional administrators, noteworthy scholars and teachers and a loyal and
effective team of support staff; and
WHEREAS, Over the years many upgrades and renovations have been made
to the School, the first of which was the construction of the manual
training or vocational building in 1929 which housed auto mechanic
shops, electrical workstations, chemistry labs, agricultural courses and
homemaking classes; and
WHEREAS, In 1950, the Kate Walton Field House was constructed on the
campus, and provided students with a larger, updated gymnasium; later,
in 1978, the largest-scale construction project also added a competi-
tion-size swimming pool to the Field House, the Salzmann Building,
adding the Myron J. Michael building to the campus, along with pedestri-
an bridges to connect each of the High School's facilities; and
WHEREAS, The establishment of IBM in Ulster County in 1955 created
significant employment opportunities and spurred great population growth
in Kingston, prompting the addition of J. Watson Bailey and M. Clifford
Miller Middle Schools; many Kingston High School graduates were able to
find employment at IBM and go on to successful careers at the company
due in large part to the technical programs offered at Kingston High;
and
WHEREAS, The famous Wall which marks the perimeter of the school,
became the physical dividing line of school jurisdiction for students;
this landmark represented many different things for scholars over the
past 100 years; it began as a place to socialize, later became a refuge
for students between and after classes and now, though used less
frequently as a gathering place right before or after the school day,
continues to serve as an important landmark of the entire campus; and
WHEREAS, Since the first class in 1915, several high-achieving and
.SO DOC A R361 RESO TEXT 2015
brilliant minds have passed through the halls of Kingston High School;
graduates, ranging from military commanders, industrial entrepreneurs
and educators, are able to attribute much of their early successes to
the teachers, curriculum and support of Kingston High School and and the
greater Kingston community; and
WHEREAS, Sherman Hasbrouck (Class of 1916), Frederick Anderson (Class
of 1923) and Edwin Messinger (Class of 1924) went on from Kingston High
to West Point Academy, and later became dedicated and successful
servicemen in the United States Army; General Hasbrouck and Major Gener-
al Anderson both served in World War II and among them were posthumously
honored with the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Medal,
Legion of Merit and Legion of Honor; Lieutenant General Messinger served
our country in the Korean War and was recognized vehemently with the
Army Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Stars and two Distinguished
Service Crosses; and
WHEREAS, Arthur Sherwood Flemming (Class of 1922) went on to be one of
the most noteworthy graduates of Kingston High School, a former Secre-

tary of the office of Health, Education and Welfare, Flemming, himself
an educator, served 10 Presidential administrations and is widely known
for his vast innovation in the area of federal policy, his work in
developing the Social Security System and is considered the Father of
Universal Health Care, Medicaid and Medicare; Arthur Flemming was an
active participant in the Kingston High School debate club and a stellar
reporter for DAME RUMOR during his time as a student; he later achieved
a Juris Doctor from George Washington University and served passionately
in several leadership roles for the U.S. Civil Service Commission, War
Manpower Commission, Office of Defense Mobilization, Department of
Health, Education and Welfare, Commission on Aging and the U.S. Commis-
sion on Civil Rights; and
WHEREAS, There have been several successful and well-respected faculty
and administrative staff members who have made it their mission to
educate and shape young minds at the high school; Kate Walton fulfilled
the roles of Math teacher, Attendance Record-keeper and School Discipli-
narian and is remembered to as a tough, but fair woman who served with
the utmost integrity and guided students on a path to success both in
character and academics; and
WHEREAS, Warren Kias, who served as Athletic Director for Kingston
High School from 1946 to 1964, is the most winning coach in school
history; he developed comprehensive and successful sports programs,
that, under his direct leadership, achieved 15 Basketball Championships,
five Baseball Titles, two Football Crowns and several Track and Field
Championships; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the past century, Kingston High School has truly
lived up to its mission of educating, inspiring and graduating students
who excel in both academics and character; indeed, it has empowered over
42,000 graduates to reach their maximum potential as leaders and produc-
tive members of society; and
WHEREAS, The groundbreaking for the new Kingston High School complex
will symbolize the community's pride and dedication to continue the
long-standing tradition of educational excellence and preparation of
students to meet the academic and technological challenges of the
future; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is very pleased to have this opportu-
nity to salute Kingston High School for its long history of purposeful
endeavor which has greatly benefited the community of Kingston, New
York, and to wish this worthy educational institution continued success;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Kingston High School to be cele-
brated on April 18-19, 2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kingston High School Principal Kirk Reinhardt; Ms. Anna
Brett, Co-Chair of the Kingston High School 100th Anniversary Committee;
and Yazmine Aziz, President of the Kingston High School Student Govern-
ment.