Abraham Lincoln High School welcomed its pioneer students on Tuesday, August 27, 1940. The Lincoln Log, Vol. 1 No. 1, which was published on September 20, 1940, announced that the dedication and opening ceremony of the new school, Abraham Lincoln High School, would be held on Sunday, September 22, 1940:

      "An educational dream of thousands of residents and the ambitious hopes of community leaders in the Parkside District will be fully realized Sunday afternoon when the new Abraham Lincoln High School is formally dedicated. The new $750,000 structure, intended particularly to serve a rapidly developing area stretching from St Francis Wood to the Pacific, welcomed its first students Tuesday, August 27. Today 950 students, an enrollment greater than originally anticipated, claim the new school as alma mater.

      The new three-story building is of reinforced concrete construction and is the first on a campus which was purchased in 1924 for $275,000. A bond issue voted upon and approved by the people in 1938 financed the erection of the school. It is estimated the equipment represents an investment of $100,000.

      The academic unit is now completed and occupies the west side of the campus, extending along Twenty-fourth Avenue between Quintara and Rivera Streets. It contains 50 classrooms, a modern cafeteria, shops and library. Built for a growing student population, the new high school may eventually house 2500 pupils. The school unit will be completed with the erection of a boys' and girls' gymnasium on the south side and an auditorium on the north side of the present building.

      Mr. C. W. White, the first principal of Abraham Lincoln High School provides the leadership destined to make it an outstanding educational institution. Miss Anita Truman is vice-principal and dean of girls. Forty teachers and two members of the office staff, all with experience gained in various other schools, complete the faculty.

      People of the community will join with the pupils and faculty Sunday, September 22, in ceremonies marking the official dedication of the new school. A parade commencing at 1 o'clock will initiate the exercises which will be held on the drill grounds immediately east of the school. The exercises will begin at 2 and should be over at 3 o'clock. The school will then be opened to visitors who will have an opportunity to see at first hand the school they worked so hard to bring to the Sunset."

      Clyde W. White, the first principal at Abraham Lincoln high School, set the tone of the school for generations to come when he wrote his first greetings in The Lincoln Log, Vol. 1 No.1

      It has been sixty years since Mr. White wrote the prophetic words in this first message to the Abraham Lincoln high School students. He set the challenges and chartered the course. The students during the early years met Mr. White's challenge, and proud he should be for what he began. Although they didn't have school colors, a mascot, or a school hymn when they enrolled, it didn't take this band of pioneers long to establish the traditions about which Mr. White spoke -- crimson and gold colors, Mustang as a mascot, and a hymn that began "High on a Hilltop, Mid Sand and Sea," and a fight song that started with, "We are the Crimson and Gold, We fight for the brave and the bold." The masthead for the Lincoln Log was designed by Joe Truzzolino, F'42. Patricia (Cutler) Aversano, F'43, wrote the words for the school hymn, while Walter Subke, S'44, wrote the words for the fight song.

      These pioneer students did such a great job that now their grandchildren and great grandchildren are carrying on the traditions they set. They, too, are now "Proud Mustangs!"

       There were no gymnasiums or auditorium. Aptos Junior High and other schools made their gymnasiums available for the athletic teams. Parkside Theater and "The Steps" were the location of the rallies. The first football team of eighty candidates turned out showing the spirit which they knew would predominate in years to come, even though they had none of the equipment which was needed for practice and for playing. Theirs was a hard task to build from nothing to something of which the school would be proud. They supplied their own transportation to the Beach Chalet and back, since that was the place designated for practice. They also lent their own equipment which was sadly lacking in regulation standards; yet they went on.

      And proud were the students! Thus, the origin of the term, "I am a Proud Mustang!" A right they deserved! Registry rooms had 100% student body cards. Attendance at athletic, theater, and other events were well attended. The football team won the City championship in Fall 1943--the third year the school sponsored a football team. These were great formative days for these pioneer students.

      Of course, all this excitement was cushioned by the events of a World War. Mario Balesteri was our first student to be killed in the line of duty. A memorial service was held for him on "The Steps." Unfortunately, there have been many Lincoln students who have given their lives for their country not only in this conflict but also in other conflicts so such institutions as Abraham Lincoln High School can exist for future generations.