A homecoming to remember: Here’s how Shawnee Mission North celebrated its centennial

Prohibition was in full swing and the ’20s were roaring when Shawnee Mission Rural High School opened its doors in 1922. It wasn’t until 1958 that it became known as Shawnee Mission North High School, but the original building — with a number of additions — is still standing to celebrate a century of education.

The festivities coincided with the school’s homecoming weekend Sept. 9 to 11. Graduates from across the decades gathered for mini-reunions, tours of the school and even an alumni dance.

Present-day students and alums got into the spirit, creating floats for a homecoming parade that celebrated the various decades the school has seen. Groups also made posters for the school’s hallways, sharing information both about the school and the world at large from the past century.

David Ewers, the school’s principal, said both he and the steering committee for the event didn’t want to overschedule people during the weekend.

“We didn’t want to have so many planned activities that it would derail opportunities to reminisce,” Ewers said.

The school has seen many changes over the years, Ewers said. At its height, the school had a population of about 2,700 students. Now it’s closer to 1,500. The first graduating class had just 18 students in 1923.

“It’s got a huge alumni base,” Ewers said. One of the many joys of being principal, he said, is that it seems around one of three people tell him they have a connection to Shawnee Mission North when he states his profession.

Many of those alums flocked back to the school for the celebrations to reminisce and show their school spirit.

“You feel so proud when you say you’re a Shawnee Mission North grad,” said Linda Nelson Atha, class of 1977.

George Sallas graduated from North in 1974, returning later as a teacher, coach and eventually athletic director.

“It’s become a lot more diverse, which is a good thing. You go to North, you’re going to live what the real word is like,” Sallas said. “When I started there in the ’70s, it wasn’t nearly as diverse as it is now.”

Sharon Seaton, class of 1961, was amazed at how much the school had expanded, turning its original single building into three that were connected later.

“It’s so spread out. I hope the students get to classes on time,” she said. “There’s been so much added. I could get lost here.”

There were mixed feelings among returning alums about the school’s recent change of mascot from the Indians to the Bison.

“I’ll always be an Indian, not a Bison. My fellow classmates — most of them feel the same way,” Seaton said.

Although all the current North merchandise and signage displayed the new mascot, several groups of alums, such as the class of 1962, displayed the previous one in the parade and in their gathering areas within the school.

Jim Grisola, who graduated in 1972, had a different perspective.

“We’re glad to see people had the courage to make that change, even though it’s a little sad and nostalgic for some of us,” Grisola said.

Grisola also recalled being the editor of the school’s newspaper and preparing the 50th anniversary edition.

Looking to the future of North, Sallas noted that the area is less affluent than it once was. He’s been involved in starting the Headed North scholarship fund to help students have extracurricular experiences such as music lessons or sports camps.

“I really wanted to try to do something to level the playing field in regards to kids going to North having a chance,” Sallas said.