The BHS Class of 1957 Senior Class gift was the BHS Plaque...... Balboa High School in the Canal Zone. HISTORY Balboa High School was located in Balboa the Republic of Panama in an area which, many referred to as the old Canal Zone. Historically, the secondary schools in the canal area came into being upon the completion of construction of the Panama Canal. In 1914, the one secondary school building was located in the community of Gatun. With the completion of the canal in 1914, the secondary school was moved to Ancon. In 1916, the high school was opened in Balboa. Balboa High was a fully accredited institution of learning. Founded in 1914 as a secondary school for the Panama Canal Company, it later became part of the DoDDS system in 1979. The North Central Accrediting Association, accredited BHS. Balboa High School students were young people from all over the world. Many of them were dependents of U.S. military personnel stationed in Panama. These dependents plus U.S. civilian students, Panamanian, and third country nationals, all together, create a dynamic cultural diversity in our student body. One that was quite unique. The last graduating class was BHS 1999. BHS is now history for that year what was known as the old Canal Zone was turned over to Panama.

The BHS Plaque Senior Gift of the class of 1957 was a stroke of genius. Prior classes had provided concrete benches under the cover walk way to the school gym and buses. They were welcome for taking a load off and cramming for the first period after lunch, for visiting and for waiting for the school buses to arrive. But the BHS Class of 1957 broke the paradigm with the BHS Plaque. In the mid 50's the movie "Rebel Without A Cause" featuring Natalie Wood and James Dean was a box office success. It was a story a high school students growing up and a memorable feature was their plaque located at the entrance to their high school. The senior class gift committee decided after lengthy debate that this was a definitely a good idea for Balboa High School. Little did we know then that it would become so famous or that other classes would say they came up with this idea?

Pictured here is the Senior Gift Committee of the BHS Class of 1957.

An old clipping from the BHS School newspaper... The Parakeet.

Being a graduating senior meant that there was a ring in your future and a BHS Diploma... something that every Alumnus remembers of his fun days at Balboa High.

The yearbook the collection of photographs of a time you will long remember. A real collector's item and a great conversational piece at reunions when you wonder whatever happened to you know who!

HOORAH for BHS Class of 1957

The summer sports programs sponsored by the Schools Division were well attended in the Canal Zone. This is Balboa High School Gym on July 2, 1954. Pictured in the Spillway of the Summer recreation at Balboa are William Dolan, Louis and George Barbier, Robert Schultz, Edward Dolan, and Edward Cunningham playing basketball. Canal Zone memories in the making...

Lots of cute girls in my time were into building pyramids during the summer sports programs sponsored by the Schools Division in the Canal Zone...

I spent most of the summer of 1958 at Camp Moffet at NRTC Great Lakes. The Navy started there for me. During our boot training we often participated in close order drill. Those who had taken JR ROTC in high school had no problem with the manual of arms. United States Navy as a career... "I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.'" President John F. Kennedy, 1 August 1963, in Bancroft Hall at the U. S. Naval Academy. (Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President, January 1 to November 22, 1963 GO NAVY!!! The US Navy in Panama... It has been a real pleasure bringing you this page about the BHS Plaque a gift to all the high school classes that followed. In our senior year we were always wondering what next? Some of us joined the United States Navy and never really looked back. If you love the sea there can be no other career at sea that will bring you so much satisfaction. The added bonus will be serving our country. The late President John F. Kennedy said it so well when he said, "I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.'" A final thought... Dare to dream and chart your course. Set your goals in your professional, personal and spiritual life. Your goals are the navigational charts that guide you and show you what is possible in your life. Life has more meaning when you are motivated, So go on...Set goals and take charge! You will be glad you did.... Photo Credits: Author, Bill Fall, Panama Canal Company Archives, and US Navy Archives You will be fortunate in everything you put your hands to