History of Lenape

  • The following information is reprinted from the Fourth Edition (1968-1969) of the Lenape Junior High School Student-Parent Handbook:
     
    History of Lenape Junior High School
     
    When the members of the 有料盒子 Bucks Jointure Planning Committee had successfully completed the junior-senior high school with a student capacity for 1400 students in 1952, they felt they had answered the school building problems for years to come. To their amazement, however, more and more families moved into the district, thus enlarging the enrollment at a startling rate.
     
    In 1955, the Planning Committee Members laid plans for a junior high school. Construction was started in the summer of 1956, and the school was completed by September 1957.
     
    Enrollment, in the meantime, became so great that Lenape was able to accommodate only the seventh and eighth graders. The enrollment of both schools at that time was approximately 2200 students.
     
    As the population increased rapidly in the 有料盒子 Bucks School District, it became evident that more facilities would be needed to cope with an expanding junior high school enrollment.
     
    The planning committee once again laid plans for a new junior high school in the southern part of the district that would help bring Lenape’s student enrollment to a normal level. However, this would bring about a reorganization of the school system into a six-three-three system (six years elementary school, three years junior high, three years senior high).
     
    In 1961, this reorganization marked the beginning of a new era for Lenape Junior High School. It was this year that Lenape was able to house its first freshman class.
     
    The school name was suggested by the student body and officially approved by the school board. The name Lenape stems from the Lenni-Lenape Indians who once inhabited the Delaware Valley.
     
     
    Lenape’s Alma Mater
     
    In the spring of 1962, the melody and poem of our Alma Mater were written by two Lenape students. A committee of seven teachers and nine students selected the melody written by Mary Ann Gendall, ’67, and words to the melody written by Susan Walton, ’66.


    Lenape Alma Mater
    Words by Susan Walton, ’66 Music by Mary Ann Gendall, ‘67
     
    Lenape, our Alma Mater, proud we sign this hymn of praise
    Pledging to thee love and honor, as with joy our voices raise
    Hail to thee, our Alma Mater, proud our voices swell
    May God’s blessing ever rest on thee we love so well.
    Lenape, we greatly love thee, our hearts swell with joy and pride
    None we hold esteemed above thee, our inspiration and our guide
    Hail to thee, our Alma Mater, we will always be true
    May God’s love and gracious blessing ever rest upon you.
     

    Lenape School Colors
    Cherry and White
    These school colors were selected in the school year of 1959-60 from five possible combinations submitted by the student body.


    Lenape Junior High School Nickname
    “Vikings”
    The nickname was voted upon and selected by the entire student body in the fall of 1961.
     
     
    Lenape's School Seal
     
    School Seal  
    The Lenape school seal was designed by six Lenape students in the school year 1961-62. Official presentation was made in June 1962.
     
    The seal is round in shape with its outermost edge being a perfect, unbroken circle. The edge is solid black for it was felt a dark color such as this was definite and bold in outlining the entire design.
     
    The words “Lenape Junior High School” are in bold Gothic letters and are cherry while the area around the identification of the school is white, these two colors being the colors of the school. “Est. 1957” is in black and recognizes the founding date of Lenape.
     
    Symbolic of strength and unity, a chain is provided in the seal. Individualism is also represented in the chain. When each link is positioned correctly in relationship with the others so as to be organized to work efficiently (as individuals), a strong body is created. The chain also brings and holds together the ideals illustrated in the center of the seal.
     
    The sun in the upper right portion of the area within the chain suggests a bright future, success, and the goals we work towards. It symbolizes the light shed abroad in one’s thinking and life as he gains a fuller understanding of the meaning and application of the truths represented by the other symbols. The diffused rays are given off the radiating body and represent, at their farthest extent, the past. Nearer the light source the present is represented while as explained before, the sun is symbolic of tomorrow.
     
    Within the chain, light falls on three areas of school life in Lenape. Depicting education, the open book symbolizes scholarship and the winged foot stands for physical education. The hands in a praying position are representative of faith in God, in fellowmen, and in oneself, including courage and character. The flag of the United States of America symbolizes many things since there are many ideals in a democratic society. Being more specific, however, Americanism, honor, citizenship, service, and leadership are represented by the flag.