Colonie High School: 1953 and Today

by Liam McDonald


Colonie Central High School is a school full of diversity and culture. There have been many generations that have gone through this school. This campus was built in 1953, and it is very different today than it was when it was built. Everything from extracurricular activities and school events are drastically different compared to today’s events.

The head principal from 1953 was named Glenn E. Bretsch. The class president was Bruce Coulter. Colonie High School served as a learning place for children grades 10-12. In the yearbook, the freshman sophomore and junior classes were photographed in groups unlike today where everyone gets their own individual picture. Seniors were pictured individually, and a lot of information was given about each student. The information given included their nicknames, their place of residence and it included any activities that they partook in at the high school. The school had a carnival, which would have been Colonie’s main attractions of the school year. The school newspaper was called The Post. Some plays in school plays included Cheaper By The Dozen, What A Life and Hearts Are Young Gay. A class song was written for the class of 1953 by students. The class of 1953 also had a “Class Alphabet,” where students were commemorated for certain attributes that began with each letter of the alphabet.

Colonie Central High School has changed a lot since 1953. The head principal is Mr. Wetzel, and the class president is Andrea Kim. There are many activities that Colonie High School takes part in now. There are many dances and other activities such as craft fairs, holiday concerts and car shows. Today’s yearbook has less personal information about people, and it shows people individually. It has things like senior buddy pictures, and it senior celebrities instead of a class alphabet. Colonie High School has also had more expansions since 1953, making the building significantly bigger. This allows grade nine to receive and education here as well. This year’s school play is The Wedding Singer.

Many things have changed since 1953, but one thing that remains the same is our Raider Pride. Teachers still strive to give students an exceptional education that will help them to succeed in the future. Colonie High School was and continues to be a great place to learn despite its changes.