Los Gatos Weekly-Times file photograph

The Los Gatos High School Hymn was sung on the school's front lawn during the Class of 1999's graduation.

Picture from the Past

Los Gatos High School Hymn started as a class assignment

By John S. Baggerly

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Hail to dear Los Gatos High!
Alma mater fair,
Nestling 'neath a mountain sky
Like a jewel rare.
Once again we pledge our love
Love that cannot die,
Cherishing our mem'ries
of dear Los Gatos High.
Alma Mater through the years
Tho we travel far
Hearts will ever turn to you,
Like a guiding star.
What the future holds for us
As the years pass by,
Always we'll be children of
Dear Los Gatos High.

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For those Los Gatans who may be ignorant about the history and background of the Los Gatos High School Hymn--for starters, it was composed by Virginia McKiernan. McKiernan, who graduated in 1940, was a member of one Mary McClure's music theory class while a sophomore at LGHS.

One year, each member of the class received as homework the task of writing a song. It could be either a rousing fight song or a sentimental ballad, but the topic had to be Los Gatos High School.

Possessing a fine school spirit, McKiernan wrote both the words and music--within only two or three days--of the song that is now know as the School Hymn. The song soon won wide acclaim at LGHS. It was adopted as the official school song in 1941. It is now sung at various school events, including by football players and cheerleaders at the school's football games.

After graduating from LGHS, McKiernan attended San Jose State University for three years, where she minored in music and education. During her freshman year in college, McKiernan collaborated on a few songs that were later used in the annual San Jose State Revelries, a variety-show type event that exists no more.

McKiernan left SJSU at the termination of her junior year. After leaving, she married Daniel Wallis, who is at the present time stationed with the military in Japan.

None of McKiernan's songs have actually been published, but she possesses outstanding ability. She undoubtedly inherits her musical ability from her father, the writer of several published songs, including Breakfast for Two and You're the One.

Singing McKiernan's School Hymn this year were the approximately 316 LGHS graduates who received diplomas this month from first-year principal Trudy McCulloch, a five-year veteran of Mt. Pleasant High School. Among the LGHS graduates was Marcia Wallis, McKiernan's granddaughter.

Marcia, who has been accepted by Stanford University, was honored during her senior year by being named to the National Girls' Soccer Team by Parade Magazine. She is also a three-time Central Coast Section golf champion and possesses many honors and awards for her exceptional abilities in both sports and academics.

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