Nebraska City High School

1880 saw the first graduating class of NCHS, with the first graduate being Cornelia Kimmel.

The current building was not the first high school in Nebraska City. Its predecessor was the first in Nebraska. Partially for this and other reasons, such as being the home of Arbor Day and being the oldest town in the state, the athletic team's name (then the "Golden Avalanches" or, unofficially, the "Purples") was changed to the "Pioneers" in December 1938. The school's newspaper has, since the early 1900s, been referred to as the Otoean, deriving its name from its home - Otoe County. Many changes were made to the school in the 1930s and 1940s, including the first dances, first library, first mirrors and first yearbooks. During this time, Nebraska City regularly competed in the International Soap Box Derbies, including a World Championship at the fourth annual. In 1921, the NCSH Golden Avalanches won the State Basketball Championship.[1]

The original school was built in 1865 on 6th Street and between 4th and 5th Corsos. It was the first public high school between the Missouri River and California. The second building was constructed in 1874 between 9th and 10th Streets on 1st Corso. The Sixth Street Elementary later occupied the original building until its destruction in 1916.

In 1911, a third high school was built on the same block as the second. This complex was known as the "Gray Buildings" and was east of the earlier building. The second school was demolished and replaced with the Morton James Public Library. At this point, NCSH contained grades 9-12. In 1928, a junior high school was built across 9th Street. This school contained grades 7 to 9. In 1945, the schools switched buildings to accommodate the growing student population. Along with this came a "hot lunch" program along with choir and band rooms.

The current site at 141 Steinhart Park Road was selected for a new building for an even larger student population. This building was completed in 1965. The junior high school moved back to its original building, and the "Gray Buildings" complex was replaced by a Safeway store. This was then destroyed for a new middle school next to the library, and 9th Street between 1st and 2nd Corsos was replaced with a recreation field for the middle school.[2]

The official team name is the Nebraska City Pioneers, and their mascot is Pioneer Pete. The school's and athletic colors are purple and gold. The Pioneers compete in 17 varsity sports in the Eastern Midlands Conference with the Bennington Badgers, Blair Bears, Elkhorn Antlers, Elkhorn South Storm, Gretna Dragons, Norris Titans, Plattsmouth Blue Devils, and Waverly Vikings.

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