GAH -TSO RALLY

Breaking News:
The Gah-Tso Rally is returning to MHS! The Class of 80 has worked hard to bring it back. The school has agreed and the Class of 2011 is working out the details.
Carry On MHS


- DOUBLE CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

CARRY ON MHS!!
Joanne Ray


Jayne Winterton Weight, Class of '63



JO BUFFINGTON, MARY LOU REED, KENNY HENDERSON, MELVIN PHELPS, MELVIN PERKINS, DONNA JOHNSON, RICHARD STILES, MARCIA CHALK, SYLVIA BOREN, DONALD FULLER, CURLY MONSOUR, MARGIE THREET

JO BUFFINGTON, NANCY ARNETTE, DAVID ADAMS, MELVIN PERKINS, ROBERTA LEWIS, PEGGY LISONBEE, OLA MAE TRYON, JIM KLEIN, JARED HUISH, CAROL HUBER, KEN MURDOCK, KENNI HENDERSON
Gah-Tso is a Navajo word meaning "Big Rabbit." Awarding the Gah-Tso Cup was one of the longest-honored traditions at Mesa High from the 1920s until 1993. The trophy was presented at the end of the school year for the class who earned the most points during the year in class competitions, which included homecoming floats, Gah-Tso Rally, Water Carnival, attendance at after-school events, participation in Spirit Week and class yells. The purpose of the Gah-Tso – it was ALL about promoting school spirit and class unity. The cup was prominently displayed in the trophy case in the office at Mesa High and each year the winning class was engraved on it, generally that was the senior class, but not always. The classes listed are: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979/1980, 1980, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993. For some reason, the last year engraved was 1993 and then sometime afterward the cup was donated to the Mesa Historical Society, when it was located recently to be displayed at a class reunion. Museum workers didn't even know what it was when MHS alumni approached them about it! We have since learned from alumni from the 1920s that there was a smaller cup awarded then (we don’t know where that is) but the competition activities were much the same. The MHS Class of 80 has contacted MHS student council advisors with the hopes that Student Council and administration will bring back this great tradition. They are trying to collect more information on the cup and the traditions and activities associated with it. PLEASE comment on the Class of 80 Facebook group page and post your memories about the cup. Many graduates of Mesa High School hold those memories dear and hope that the school with “Bring back the Gah-Tso Cup! Thank you Class of 80 and Carry On!!