For more than four decades, Perry Meridian has evolved structurally, educationally, and culturally, making the school a safer and more appreciative environment for students.
Perry Meridian first opened its doors in 1973 after sister school, Southport, exceeded its capacity, which was around 4000 students. The split was a problem for students because it meant that they would be separated from their friends, whom they had grown up with for years.
The school board had a solution for this dilemma: The seniors in the 1973-1974 class would remain Cardinals, but everyone else would be Falcons. Students eventually accepted the changes, and Perry Meridian High School developed as a school.
Twenty years later, Perry evolved since it was founded, but teaching was still the same throughout the decades. Today’s teaching methods involve group work, the use of Chromebooks to complete day-to-day assignments and students asking questions to clarify dark spots on topics they do not know.
But 20 years ago, class routines and teaching were narrower; a majority of teachers had routines of lecturing, note-taking and dreadful testing at the end of a unit.
“Classes were not meant to be fun,” says 1998 PMHS alumnus and current history teacher, Joe Cunningham. “Teachers did not care for your entertainment: Their job was to teach and have students obtain their diploma,” Cunningham says.
In this day and age, students and teachers can interact with each other in a parallel relationship. 1998 was a different time. Students took notes and teachers created lectures; there was no middle ground for a connection between the two.
The strict learning structure can be traced to former principal, Mr. James Head. During Head’s tenure, from 1973-1995, he made it very clear that the school’s guidelines were to be followed and behavior that disobeyed these rules would result in severe consequences.
During the 1990s, students had to retaliate and voice their opinions for the freedom to wear shorts as they pleased, no matter the color or fabric. Today, shorts can be worn any time, and nearly all designs are allowed.
Student expression was also not as prevalent as it is today. A club that has only existed in recent Perry history is STUVO (Student Voice and Government). This organization allows students to voice their ideas for school events and fundraisers to make the school a welcoming environment.
“I work close with the senior class and I didn’t expect the kindness and their willingness to help other, says assistant principal, Zach Irvin. “I’ve worked at two other schools and the students helped others there as well, but the way students help others is kind’ve above and beyond.”
Perry students today are arguably more involved than ever before. Despite the glory years of WNBA All-Star and 1999 PMHS alumnus Katie Douglas’ number one, state-ranked girls basketball team, only the football team drew in crowds. The games were usually deserted during the late 1990s era, according to Cunningham.
Today, every week there are Blue Crew events, drawing in fellow peers at school to support their Falcons. Whether the Falcons win or lose, peers across all classes, from freshmen to seniors, cheer on the silver and blue.
Not only was the school different in the sense of student involvement, but Perry, structurally, was a much different school.
During the 1998-1999 school year, Perry endured a renovation change, which made the building a safer and smarter environment for every student. Prior to the renovation, hanging lights, a single computer for internet research, and the nonexistent main stairwell were all quirks that may seem foreign to current students.
“My class was the first year during the reconstruction of Perry,” 1999 PMHS alumnus and English teacher, James Webb, says.“The stairwell addition initially was planned to be finished by the end of graduation; however, it would not be another four years till the finals touches were made and students had access to it.”
The main stairwell serves as the most popular route to get students to and from class. But 20 years ago, pre-construction limited transportation between classes, so students had to find a more efficient way.
Students had three ways guiding through the building: the IMC, the elevators, or the side stairs. The building still holds these passages, though back then it was congested and needed change.
The media center also had a completely different design and usage to it. The IMC was seen as a bridge for students to pass through for their first floor classes, whereas today, it has a single entrance accessible to students.
And before renovations, students were limited to computers for typing only, with one computer for web research and loads of books to research on papers and projects. The computer for web search required a fair amount of clearance: a pass from one’s parents, teacher and librarian and a sign-off for what one was going to search.
A young and curious Cunningham had to learn about the murder of one of the most famous artists of all time, Tupac Shakur.
“My friend Donnie and I lied and told the IMC staff that we were doing something for our English paper, and we searched who killed Tupac,” Cunningham says. “Funny enough, even with all the technology, we still don’t know who killed him.”
The school adapted as a school as time progressed.
Perry is more student-involved, technologically advanced and overall a better environment to learn in. Major changes were made only 20 years ago, and major changes are a strong possibility for Perry’s future.