We are the 1973 Pioneers
From its founding in 1951, to the school we attended in 1973, to the 21st century school that stands today, Pioneers have been on the move.
Here is a tribute to our collective Past, Present and Future.
NMSH: The Early Years
North Miami Senior High School opened on September 4,
1951 as Edward L. Constance Junior-Senior High School,
named for the real estate developer who acquired the land
for the school. A heavy storm on that first day
caused the administration to cancel classes at the still unfinished school and those difficult early months gave
way to the name "Pioneers". The 1951-52 school year began with grades 7, 8 and 9. Tenth grade was added the following year, 11th grade in 1953-54 and the first graduating class
of 12th graders in 1954-55. Those "original Pioneers", as they called themselves, were graduates of the newly named
North Miami Senior High School. The population of NMSH included most of northern Dade County and overcrowding
was very common in those early years. The auditorium held classes as large as 500 students and some were taught via closed-circuit television.
The first principal was John C. McQuire, who served from
1951-1957. There would be two others until Dale H. Boggy
took over in 1964, becoming the longest serving principal
until his retirement in 1975. He was regarded as an
educational innovator during the changing culture and is best known for championing flexible learning and modular scheduling.
(adapted from a compilation by Charles E. Corway,
Class of 1983) The complete essay can be found at:
https://nmshpioneers.org/about-our-school/
Class of '73
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Who are we, the North Miami Senior High Class of ‘73?
Born right in the middle of the Baby Boom generation, we reaped the rewards of new medical advances and
expanded educational and occupational opportunities.
We both challenged the status quo and worked from within
to help shape the world we would inherit.
When we entered as sophomores in the fall of 1970, we were told that ours was one of the largest classes in Pioneer history. The following school year we would lose many of our friends
and classmates to the newly built North Miami Beach Senior High. Finally, in 1973, our senior year class size was a little over
700 strong.
The years that followed saw us travel to all corners of the
globe, for work, leisure or service to country. We have
expanded our circle of friends and family, but we have not forgotten those who shared our days as Pioneers.
Now, almost fifty years later, we look forward to reconnecting online and in person at what promises to be our most
meaningful reunion yet.
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