The Way It Was . . .
The Riverdale school opened in September
of 1948 with 136 students in grades K-8. High school students were bussed to Garrison where they were referred to as
"River Rats" much to their dismay.
By 1949 temporary additions to the school
building allowed the high school students to remain in town. Almost 800 students were expected to start the 1950-1951
school term. There were 12 students in the first graduating class in 1950 when it was under the Government jurisdiction.
They were Helen Bohrer, Barbara Dodd, Darlene DuBois, Howard Ellison, Darlene Geiger, LaVerne Hanson, Darlene Johnson,
Barbara Jane Kopp, Mary Matthern, Vivian Schneider, Alyce Washburn, and Charles Watson.
Peak enrollment was 1,100 students between 1954-1955. And the RIVERDALE KNIGHTS football team gained a name for themselves
by going undefeated three consecutive seasons!
