From former state champions to esteemed teachers, this is the first-ever Fanscotian Oral History of SPFHS: a presentation of the story of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School as told from the perspective of students and teachers. 
 
Consistency in Academics
 
Overview: At the core of any good education is a stable academic system. SPFHS is not unknown to the recognition of academia. The comprehensive nature of the curriculum in 1933 began a tradition of recognizing students’ accomplishments and promoting an appreciation for the scholars of the school.
 
Durand Thomas: “I think there’s been an increased intensity – not that kids didn’t care about getting into college before – but I think there’s certainly pressure to achieve and it’s manifested itself in the various standardized tests that are being given. There’s certainly an increased intensity toward post Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School education. I’ve heard multiple students say that they’ve applied to more than 10 schools, maybe three or four of them were Ivy leagues. I don’t remember it being that way before, but I think that’s certainly an area that they’re heading down: a focus on what they’re doing after high school.”
 
Highlighting SPFHS Activities
 
Overview: Involvement in school activities has become a staple for many students of SPFHS: this time-honored tradition has led to the development of sport and music programs that have exceeded the expectations of any educator. 
 
Bill Flagg, Member of the 1977 State Championship Baseball Team: “We won the Union County baseball championship in 1976. We beat Cranford and that was a good game. And then in 1977, we beat Piscataway to become group four state champions. Those are my two greatest memories from when I was here.”
 
Hillary Klimowicz, Leading Scorer in Lady Raiders History: “We won the best trombone section in the States one year for Moonglowers. It was a big deal and then for basketball we won the County Championships in both my Junior and Senior years. We made it to the state group finals I think two or three out of the four years I was there and we lost to Shabazz High School every year.”
 
“You can’t expect to go out and win championships I think for my teammates and I that all went through Scotch Plains together, there were five of us that played played year round together.We had that chemistry and the off-season working on the game together and then carrying that onto the court of Scotch Plains.”
 
Thomas: “Model UN, DECA and SMAC have been incredibly active. There are certain programs that have gained a little bit more awareness and notoriety and others have gone away; something like the ROTC was cut due to budgeting, which could be a serious outlet for kids that might not go to a four year college.”
 
“The music department just keeps getting better and better. I’ve certainly kept up the tradition of excellence that had been laid down by many that came before us here at SPFHS. And that’s our goal really: to continue to enrich the students’ experience here at SPFHS music department as they take those concepts and goals forward beyond the music department; we want life-long learners and we want them to have life skills.”