The Growing Years
The roaring twenties came to a roaring halt when the Stock Market crashed in 1929, and the country found itself in the midst of the Great Depression. The high-spirited twenties had not prepared people for the grim times to come. Many people lost their livelihood and dignity. Some would never regain control over their own lives again. On June 11, 1931, a magnanimous School Board decision permitted students to hold their first school dance. Until then, dancing on school grounds had been against the rules. The 1933 earthquake which devastated much of Southern California was also an eye opener to the Administration of Puente Union High School. People began to realize that many of the buildings at P.U.H.S. needed renovations. Through federal funding , the much needed renovations and reinforcements were begun. Robert H. Blee, who had served as the District Superintendent -Principal from 1918 to 1932, resigned. S. Chester McIntosh, a teacher and coach at P.U.H.S. since 1919, was appointed as his replacement.

Despite the lean, tragic years of the depression, the student body of 1935-36 rose to 265, the largest enrollment in P.U.H.S.'s history. In 1937, the renovations on the Auditorium were finally completed. In 1938, a project by the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) provided P.U.H.S. with a much-needed football stadium. In those days, it was not unusual for the crowds of spectators at football games to number from three to five thousand! The new field was named in honor of S. Chester McIntosh in appreciation of his long years of service and devotion to the school.
Several new clubs began in the 1930's. In 1935, the Future Farmers Association Chapter 141 was started. Also in 1939, the famed Warrior Band began under the direction of Mr. E.H. Kleffman. As the depression worsened, government officials created programs to provide jobs for people who had nothing. Among these programs were the C.C.C. (Civilian Conservation Corp). Groups like this provided hope in the lives of many people that lacked the will to continue. These groups helped lessen the effects of the depression for many families throughout the country.

WAR!
It was hoped that the 1940's would be the light at the end of the tunnel. As the effects of the depression lessened, new jobs were being provided by the war in Europe. In 1941, the U.S. abandoned the pretense of neutrality and became a huge supporter of England's efforts against Germany. After December 7, 1941, America's position in the war would never be the same. Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor gave the U.S. President no choice. Roosevelt received a Declaration of War on December 8, 1941.
The war was also a turning point at Puente Union High School. Boys immediately went from graduation into the service. Many left school before graduation in order to serve their country. The A.S.B. and clubs on campus did their part to support the war effort. Activities conducted included a scrap drive in which .00 was earned, a campaign to sell Defense Stamps and Bonds, and the entire student body was encouraged to join the Red Cross. The 1944 Imagaga was dedicated to the 188 boys who were serving in the Armed Forces from Puente Union High School.
On August 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped the first Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later a second bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki, Japan. The student body and faculty were ecstatically happy when they heard the news on August 10, 1945 that Japan had surrendered. World War II had ended and the soldiers were returning home! The sudden return of the hundreds of the thousands of soldiers that served in World War II resulted in what was known as the "Baby Boom." Beginning in 1946, the record number of births began to astound the nation. Many parents of La Puente students, as well as many teachers and staff members are "Baby Boomers" themselves!

Peaceful Fifties
The 1950's was not without its share of headline news. Truman fired MacArthur, Queen Elizabeth became the first female English monarch in 51 years, Stalin died, the 37 month Korean War ended with an armistice, Eisenhower and Nixon won by a landslide and a red scare ripped through the nation. The 1950's brought Puente Union High School much growth and development. The fear of the Cold War caused an increase in jobs and population in the area. Since Puente Union was the only high school in the district, there was a resulting increase in enrollment. This precipitated the need for new construction. In 1952, eleven classrooms and a new Administration building were added. In 1957, construction began again and the showers, lockers, commercial building, classroom buildings, and additional bleachers were built on the back side of the football field. During the 1950's Puente Unions High's athletic teams captured many titles. In 1951, new floodlights were added to McIntosh Field and for the first time in the school's history night football games could be played. During the 1951-1952 season, the Puente football team finished with the best defensive record and the basketball team brought home the first varsity trophy in ten years. In 1959, the track team, coached by Fred Barton, brought home their sixth consecutive league championship.
This decade also brought new organizations and traditions. The first Drill Team was organized in 1952-1953 by Patrick Mauch. In 1953-1954, the Hall of Fame was inaugurated and the first two recipients were Robert Lassalette and Sally Van Pragg. During 1954-1955, the first Junior-Senior Prom was held at the Palms in Glendora. Also during this year the first commencement was held on McIntosh field. On November 4, 1955, the first Homecoming game took place. Three thousand spectators filled the bleachers to watch the Warriors win the game against Citrus 26-20. The 1958-'59 school year began with double sessions. Puente students attended in the morning, while Hacienda Heights students came for afternoon session. These overcrowded conditions were alleviated around Christmas time with the opening of the new Los Altos High School.

Radical Sixties
The 1960's were associated with radical movements. This was the age of love-ins, civil rights movements, women's lib, and the sexual revolution. The 60's were also influenced by the assassinations of Martin Luther King, President John F. Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy. The Vietnam War was met with mixed emotions on the homefront, and anti-war protests took place throughout the country. The 1964-'65 school season marked La Puente High school's 50th anniversary. The Golden Anniversary brought 18 new classrooms, a new gym, an enlarged snacketeria, a new Faculty Lounge, an A.S.B.office, and a Trading Post. The new gym was desperately needed. The old one had windows broken and many pigeons used the rafters for their roost. The old gym had classrooms upstairs, but they were soon condemned. The bleachers were built up off the floor and cats lived under them.
The Golden Anniversary celebration was highlighted by many activities and various gifts to the school. The A.S.B. formed committees to help beautify the new gym. Gifts purchased for the gym by the A.S.B. included a new clock, a mosaic Indian head made by the Art Department, and the mural on the inside wall of the gym with the Alma Mater. One favorite activity was "Golden Fifty Gasser Days." On this day everyone, including the faculty, dressed up in 1915-'30 costumes, and everyone; went to a noon ice cream social. During the early '60's the boys showers and lockers were built. The open campus policy was stopped because of problems with students not returning to class, and complaints by local merchants. There was a beautiful old oak tree that stood near the gym. This was the meeting place for seniors. The "senior tree" was cut down by 11 other seniors. They were just going to trim the tree, but since it was their last year, they wanted a memory of it. The boys had to pay .00 each and had to spend a portion of their time removing the rest of the tree from the grounds.

Viet Nam
The 70's were still a decade of war, turmoil, protests, political scandals and subcultures. The Vietnam War raged on. Atrocities at places such as My Lai engaged the American conscience. On May 4,1970, four students; antiwar protesters at Kent State University were shot to death. Drug use was at an all-time high and morality seemed to be at an all-time low. On August 8, 1975, the President of the United States, Richard Nixon resigned after being implicated in the Watergate scandal. Vice-President Gerald Ford became the new chief executive. Trying to restore confidence in the scruples of the oval office, Jimmy Carter took over the presidency after the 1976 election, becoming the first president from the deep South since 1848. On August 16, 1977, the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, died at age 42. His "shake, rattle and roll" showmanship would never again be equaled. Top hits such as "Love Me Tender," "Jailhouse Rock," "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Hound Dog" are still sold by the millions today.
Back at La Puente High School the enrollment had risen to nearly 3,006. The number of staff members was also at an all time high. Gang activity and racial problems were rampant and Principal Ted Hornstra was forced to deal with student riots. Police cars on campus were not an unusual sight! New principal, Rudy Chavez, eased campus unrest and gang activity seemed to subside in the late 70's.

The Reagan Years
The decade of the '80's was eventful at La Puente High School, as well as in the nation. We watched a renewal of spirit and a strong resurgence of extra curricular involvement amongst our students. The reins of the administration passed from Mr. Rudy Chavez to Mrs. Barbara Koehler to Mr. Stu Reeder. The highly respected Tilliquettes service organization, founded by Mrs. Ernestine Schnuelle, was renamed Sigma. In 1986, nine Varsity Cheerleaders made it to Orlando, Florida for the National Finals. Some of the later additions to the campus included the Showtime Choir and Warrior mascot, Tommy Tomahawk. The city of Los Angeles also braced for the huge influx of visitors as Southern California prepared to host the 1984 Summer Olympics. One of our nation's more sorrowful moments occurred on January 28, 1986, when the Challenger ended in tragedy, just 13 seconds after liftoff. The 1988 presidential election saw former vice-president George Bush defeat Massachusetts' governor Michael Dukakis in his bid for White House.

Kuwait & Iraq - the 1990's
Anticipation filled the air as the decade of the '90's approached. No one imagined then that the tiny emirate of Kuwait would become a full blown theater of war. Saddam Hussein was hardly a household name. Operation Desert Shield turned into Operation Desert Storm, which lasted a total of forty-two days. Here at home oil prices rose sharply for a few months and then leveled off. With recession threatening jobs and businesses, many Americans became concerned about our own economy. Jubilance over the successful Operation Desert Storm proved to be a much-needed "shot-in-the-arm" for American morale. Signs of patriotism were everywhere as the scars of the Vietnam War era were finally soothed. Another astonishing event of the decade was the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the reunification of West and East Germany. In Russia, Mikhail Gorbachev had became president. The nation attempted to change from a command economy to a market economy, and many related problems have ensued since then. In 1989, Pete Rose was barred from playing baseball, because of a gambling scandal. Rose's agony continues as admission to the Baseball Hall of Fame was denied.
On the local scene, L.P.H.S. was celebrating its 75th Anniversary. To commemorate this special event, the class of '90 replaced the plaque on the W.W.II monument on campus. The Little Theatre was also rededicated, and the graduating seniors wore white and black instead of the traditional orange and black at the commencement ceremonies. Other highlights of the nineties included the Spirit Squad being ranked among the Top Ten at the Cheerleading Nationals in Florida and the Ceramic Program again bestowed with highest honors.