If you stand in SM North's cafeteria, you are at the center of the original Shawnee Mission High School, the Motherhouse of the district that bears its name. This is all the Shawnee Mission there was until the west building was built in 1936. The district opened four junior highs in 1955, but for 36 years this was the only Shawnee Mission, until SM East opened in 1958. It's national reputation even then so great that the name itself was important enough to use for each high school as it was built.

Shawnee Mission Rural High School opened September 12, 1922, having cost $150,000 to build. It had 12 faculty members and a senior class of 20. There had been an election on September 21, 1921, on a 'proposal to organize a rural high school district.'

So in 1922 the east building was built and in 1936 the west building, housing a gym and auditorium, was connected to the east building by an arcade. In 1941 the shop wing was constructed to house agriculture and auto mechanics; it was connected to the west building by a concrete walk. In 1950 the 'big' addition was made, including the south academic wing, the cross hall/offices, library, Field House and music rooms. After 30 years all the buildings were at last connected by hallways.

The swimming pool and science wing were built in 1969, the Developmental Center in 1978, the Little Theater was added in 1984 and the 'lunch dock' remodeled in 1993. In the summer of 1997, the new library was added as well as air-conditioning. in 1998 the cafeteria and kitchen were totally remodeled.

The school was named Shawnee Mission Rural until 1948, when senior Robert F. Bennett was sent to Topeka to petition the legislature for a name change to more accurately reflect the school's suburban status. It was thought that the job would take several weeks, if it could be accomplished at all, but Bob Bennett brought it home in three days. Governor Bennett was named North's first 'Distinguished Alumnus' by the class of '75.

So Shawnee Mission High School it was until 1958, when East opened and we became SM North. SM West opened in 1962, South in '66 and Northwest in '69.

The National Honor Society was begun here in 1937; the classes of 1952 and 1983 produced graduates who were later named Rhodes Scholars. The International Thespian Society was installed here in 1939. Our drama program has received repeated recognition as one of the very best in the United States. SM North became the first high school in the country to have its own art gallery when the Patrons Gallery opened in 1979; a photography student won a national first place award in 1997. The newspaper and yearbook are named national models year after year.

From its first state championship in Girls Basketball in 1923 until the present, North athletes have won their share of first in all sports, both individual and team. Academic programs such as the Writing and Math Labs, as well as teachers have earned recognition. Two of our current teachers were named Cynthia O'Connell Award winners.

This is so much more than a school. It's a respected institution, a community landmark, a significant part of the life experience of tens of thousands of people.

It's SM Classic, the Real Thing.

I believe it's productive to think of it this way -- this is an old school. So is Harvard.

Julie Purcell Miller, Class of '53
SMSD Board of Education, 1983-1999