School History

Perry Public Schools was founded in 1893, just a couple months following the Cherokee Strip Land Run (Sept. 16, 1893) when settlers established Perry, Oklahoma. The first Perry High School graduating class was in 1901 with continuous graduations except for 1902 and 1910 when there were no graduates.

SCHOOL COLORS:

The school colors are maroon, gray and white.

SCHOOL MASCOT:

The school mascot was believed to be adopted around 1924 as the “MAROONS.”

What is a Maroon? The term “Maroon” derives from the Spanish word “Cimarron” meaning wild or untamed. Maroons battled and overcame unfavorable conditions in Spanish history. They’re known for being strong and skilled fighters with an impressive ability to strike with stealth and speed. Here at Perry, we embody the Maroon qualities of TENACITY, BRAVERY, and ENDURING STRENGTH OF SPIRIT.

In 1966, PHS students, Paul Ley and Harold Price created a “Maroon Man Shield” to represent all phases of school life for a classroom assignment. The atomic symbol included the various scientific and mathematical aspects of PHS. The torch represents knowledge and learning, and the open book is symbolic of the free education offered to students and the liberal arts education. The lyre is significant to the musical department, both band and chorus. The outstanding athletic programs at PHS are represented by the winged track shoe. The central figure signifies the athletic ability, loyalty, and pride possessed by a "Fighting Maroon.”

The Maroon man was used as the school logo for several years, but eventually was archived by the school and is now used as the Perry High School Alumni Association logo.

SCHOOL LOGO:

The primary school logo is a collegiate “P” pictured below. A school branding committee was formed in 2019 to develop an official logo, colors, fonts, and styles for Perry Public Schools. A well-developed branding style guide is an essential tool for establishing brand identity. These guidelines assist in producing a consistent, professional, and uniquely recognizable brand image on signage, uniforms, website, letterhead, communications and marketing materials.

maroon p

SCHOOL SONG:

The school song is Dear Ole Perry High and was written by Warenne Kennedy Harris in 1932. She was a 1930 PHS graduate attending Oklahoma A&M College (OSU) at the time, when she was asked by Glenn Yahn on a Tuesday to write a school song in time to be played at the annual homecoming football game on Friday. Professor Leopold Radgowsky, a Russian immigrant who was the PHS band director then, took Warenne's handwritten manuscript and wrote an arrangement for the entire band. Dear Ole Perry High was performed in public for the first time at a pep rally that Friday.

Dear Ol’ Perry High

Dear Ole Perry High,

We raise our song to you

And to your colors waving in the sky

The Maroon and the White we will always be true.

For you have won your share of fame

And your spirit of loyalty will never die.

We are proud of the right to praise your name

Dear Ole Perry High.

HISTORY OF FACILITIES:

The football stadium, Daniels Field, was built by the federal Works Project Administration (WPA) in 1939, at an estimated cost of $100,000. The WPA was an agency conceived by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help overcome the Great Depression. Originally, the stadium included a baseball field as well as the football gridiron, but old age caught up with the baseball park when some of the walls began crumbling, and that part of the stadium was converted to a football practice field.

The old rock elementary school, known to many as the “first grade building,” was located on the corner of 13th Street and Ivanhoe Street. It was built in 1950 and stood for 68 years. It was home to students for many years before classes were moved to the new elementary schools on 15th Street.

The original elementary school sign from the rock building with the statement, “The Future of America is Being Determined Here” was preserved and now stands outside the new Perry Junior High School and Maroon Athletic Center on 15th Street, which was built in 2021. Read more about how this sign was brought back to life here.

The former PHS gymnasium, John Divine Hall on Fir Street by the high school, was built in 1958 in honor of legendary wrestling coach, John Divine. Largely because of him, Perry is known as the “wrestling capital of the world,” thanks to the success he built with the program.

PERRY HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION:

The Perry High School Alumni Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is providing scholarships to PHS seniors from funds raised through building lifelong connections with PHS Alumni. Their office is located downtown on the Perry Square. You can visit their office to learn more history about Perry Schools and view old yearbooks, photographs, and historic memorabilia.

Website: www.perryokalumni.com

Email: [email protected]

Alumni Assoc. Office: 606 Cedar Street, Perry, Okla.

School Sign History