Photo and Commentary by Bethany Hurley
Beverly High School has had a long history. When a high school in every town became mandatory, Beverly did not agree. The townspeople and city officials did not want to build a high school in Beverly because they did not think anyone would go. When one was finally built only a few students showed up. Since there was little interest for a high school in Beverly it was burned down. As time went on more young adults wanted to go to high school in Beverly. Another high school was built and there was a much better reception for that one. More and more kids were going to high school that the city needed to keep building bigger and better schools. The present day Briscoe Middle School was once the high school but it was then moved to it’s present location at 100 Sohier Road in the heart of Beverly Massachusetts. Beverly High School also represents the athletic achievements by our students. This year the swim team won the NEC championship. A few years ago the lacrosse team won the state championship. Beverly might not have the best athletic teams but they represent BHS with pride.
A high school seems like such a small insignificant piece of history but Beverly High School in particular is very important. Just the fact that Beverly stood up to their beliefs and was the only city in Massachusetts that would not build a high school is important. Now there are over 1,200 kids that go to Beverly High School and every one of them get a quality education.
There will always be a Beverly High School, but the building that stands today will not be around forever. In a few years the school may be torn down to build a new, and improved school. The picture that I took will never change and the intersection of history will never change but the building will change. It is not a historically protected building, even though it has so much history attached to it, so it can and will be changed at some point in time. The picture that I took could be around forever so in that way Beverly High School is immortalized. Beverly High has a long past and has a great future ahead of it. Whether the building changes or not students will always be coming to BHS to get a great high school education.
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