East: a High School in a Nation at War
Student and alumni experiences on the home front and abroad during World War II.
The following contains uncensored, racially-charged language and imagery and may be offensive to some viewers. It is left in its raw form in order to capture the truest essence of the time-period.
It is said that school days are the happiest and most carefree and that students live in a sheltered world where the problems of adult life seem irrelevant. The events of the outside world marred the perfection of such a vision. The fearful, spectacular events which began on December 7th, 1941, have shattered even the peace of East High School.
Denver's East High School on East Colfax Avenue has been teaching students since 1875 and has seen its fair share of global events. World War II was no exception. By reaching back into the archives, we can see how the school and its students rallied behind the war effort, created their own propaganda to bolster spirits, and left school to enter the service themselves. Many East High School graduates served in the Allied Forces and earned awards for their gallantry in battle. Below are some stories of how the students and their compatriots banded together to make it through the Second World War.
On the Homefront
Principal Roscoe C. Hill addresses East students, following the declaration of war.
"Hope for America's Future"
With the radio playing in the background, Principal Roscoe Hill held back tears as the declaration of war rang through the ears of many. In 1943, Mr. Hill had two sons in the army, and one of them was stationed in Japan. With tears streaming down his face, Roscoe asserted that every one of them was "hope for America's future."
"Who Will Be Bond King?"
(East High School Spotlight, 1945)
Imagine turning into a Denver Fox broadcast of your fellow students as they compete in raising the most money in war bonds. The winner gains the coveted titled of "Bond King" and will be awarded in a school assembly.
In an effort to raise money, war bonds were sold in America in places such as East High School. This event happened multiple times throughout the year and became a common sight for many students.
Effects
Still, no matter how much the students at East High fought alongside their comrades in arms, the effects of the war began to seep into everyday life. Pictured below are the 1942 and 1943 East High School yearbooks, respectively. One can see how the diversion of materials to the war effort severely impacted the quality and durability of the 1943 Angelus.
A picture of the 1942 and 1943 East High School yearbooks respectively.
On the Frontline
Additional Context
Please do not continue reading if you wish to avoid racially insensitive content.
During World War II, the United States was largely intolerant of foreign-born residents, and Denver and the culture of East High School were, unfortunately, no different. With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the U.S. government became even more suspicious of Japanese American citizens and foreign nationals. President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which forced so-called "enemy aliens" of Japanese ancestry to relocate to internment camps. Many Japanese chose to relocate before the order went into effect, and Colorado became a haven for nearly 2,000 refugees. Govern Ralph Carr welcomed Japanese Americans with open arms, but many residents, politicians, organizations, and newspapers protested their arrival. Clearly, Colorado was an inhospitable place for fleeing Japanese Americans whose businesses and homes had been seized. That is why it is important to show how East High School referred to Japanese people during this time so that we can learn how destructive unfounded governmental and public suspicion can be.
"Let's Keep 'Em Fleeing"
One must wonder if the "Old East Spirit" was exclusive to the white portion of the student body upon seeing this comic in the school's newspaper in 1944. It is a clearly racist drawing of a Japanese soldier fleeing missiles as he runs past a landscape of Japanese imagery. This depiction of the Japanese—or any of the Axis powers for that matter—was not that different from national sentiment.
In 1944, Dan Blount received a letter from a young boy in Philippines. Antonio Abrensasa wrote of the conditions he faced in the Philippines, describing in graphic nature the day to day life in an active warzone.
At first he was told not to worry about the Japanese planes, then the American planes began to bombard the area. Though the times were dark, Antonio concludes the letter with, "Happy to say, that victory's coming."
Explore the Collection
The East High School Museum Club collection contains over 1,000 items that provide an even greater understanding of student life during the Second World War. Below are some newspaper clippings and articles from the collection for additional exploration.
East High School Newspaper "Spotlight" Article, "The Old East Spirit"
East High School Newspaper "Spotlight" Article, "Why Save Tin Cans?"
East High School Newspaper "Spotlight" Article, "43 Graduate wears Medal"
East High School War Memorial
East High School Newspaper "Spotlight" article, "Letters Home Tell Stories"
East High School Newspaper "Spotlight" Article, "Air Raid Warnings Serious"
East High School Newspaper "Spotlight" Article, "Democracy at all Costs"