Hollywood High School has been considered historic for quite some time, but last week, its status became official, as alumni celebrated the Home of the Sheiks’ placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

City officials, alumni and student volunteers react to the unveiling of the bronze plaque during the celebration last Friday. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

To commemorate the 2012 designation, officials unveiled bronze plaques that were placed in the auditorium, library, and science and liberal arts buildings at the school, which was constructed in 1904.

The historic status was a collaborative effort by the Hollywood High School Alumni Association, Historic Resources Group and Hollywood High student volunteers. Due to their efforts, the school has been listed in the national registry, as well as the California Register of Historical Resources.

“I’m very, very proud that we are going to unveil the historic monument, a plaque that indicates that this is what you’ve known for a long time — a place that deserves to be on everyone’s register, but especially the [National] Register of Historic Monuments,” Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education vice president Steve Zimmer said. “While we are designating Hollywood High School historic today, you know that it doesn’t take a designation to realize that this is an historic school — not only its building, not only its murals and landscape, not only its location, but for what Hollywood High School has contributed and what all of you have contributed to the Hollywood community, to the Los Angeles community and indeed the national community.”

He said the high school is generally highlighted because of its arts programs — due to the success of alumni such as Carol Burnett and John Ritter.

“The list goes on and on and on, but we have graduated from Hollywood High School amazing doctors, scientists, politicians and more,” Zimmer, a Hollywood High graduate, said.

However, the most important element of the school is not the names that people know, but those that people don’t — the “amazing” students in class at that very moment and the “brilliant” teachers who manage “the anonymous toil of preparing the next generation to make a better world,” he said.

“The teachers are the heart and soul of what makes Hollywood High School,” Zimmer said, adding that students and alumni keep the high school’s “sacred” tradition alive and well. “Yes, this is our monument day, but what makes Hollywood High School … still goes on here everyday, and I know that’s why you are so proud to be the alumni and alumna from this great institution.”

Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District, attended school in a different state, but said he has always felt that the high school was a special place.

“To me, Hollywood High was this mythical place, and I think Hollywood and Hollywood High School is mythical for people the world over,” he said. “There are legions of us, migrants who came here from a different place, who understand the importance of this location, this historic school … and the rich history of this location and of this community.”

When he first moved to Los Angeles in 1982, O’Farrell said he would frequently jog around the high school’s track.

“I was always mindful of all the history. I was so thrilled to be here on what I consider to be hallowed ground,” the councilman added. “I am still in awe, and I am still as excited as I was thirty-two years ago.”

He noted that the school’s first graduating class walked across the stage in 1097, and that the high school’s history actually pre-dates all of the studios in Hollywood. In 1921, the school chose its mascot, the Sheikh, based on the Rudolph Valentino film, O’Farrell said.

“I love that piece of history, and I love seeing the image of the Sheikh on the building,” he added.

O’Farrell praised the groups for their “strong dedication” and for volunteering their time to ensure that the school was historically preserved.

“It’s volunteerism that makes everything in this city successful. I know that,” he said.

Councilman Tom LaBonge, 4th District, said that, for the record, he graduated from the stage at Hollywood High School — as a junior high student. His middle school, Thomas Starr King Middle School, was damaged in an earthquake prior to him moving on to high school, so he actually walked the stage in Hollywood.

“So I tell people I did graduate from Hollywood High,” LaBonge said.

He congratulated the alumni and school officials for receiving the designation. LaBonge also recognized Principal Alejandra Sanchez.

“Why are you in the back of the class? That’s where I belong,” he told her.

As all of the speakers did, Sanchez thanked those in attendance for their help in pursuing the designation. She said the school’s demographics have changed significantly since many of the alumni attended.

“I can tell you that the spirit is the same,” Sanchez added. “We have sixteen-hundred students who are determined to succeed in life, from different paths of life and different backgrounds. I think that nowadays the distinct character of Hollywood High School is its diversity. I am very, very fortunate to be part of this community.”

She also thanked the alumni association for supporting the school’s students through scholarships.

“Thank you so much for always trying to work with us, and I know that in the future, we are going to have way more opportunities for you to participate in some of the new developments,” Sanchez said.

Before the unveiling, LaBonge phoned Duke Russell, a former member of the alumni association. It was difficult to hear Russell through LaBonge’s speakerphone, but on Wednesday, Russell clarified his remarks. He said Hollywood High is the most famous high school in the world and is certainly deserving of the recognition.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Russell said.

Christy McAvoy, president of Historic Resources Group, said the plaque unveiling was a long time coming. She thanked the students who helped prepare the nomination as part of their leadership class.

“They were all involved in this. …This was a special activity. This is a true community nomination,” McAvoy added.