100 Years of Ames High “Loyalty”

This school year marks the 100th anniversary of Richard Day’s composition of “Loyalty,” the beloved fight song of Ames High School. For generations, students, alums, and fans have rallied behind the stirring anthem, symbolizing pride and unity within the Ames community.

Origins of “Loyalty”

The history of “Loyalty” traces back to a time before Day taught at Ames High School.

According to a December 1967 issue of the Ames Tribune: “Mr. Day noted that prior to his coming in 1927, the former band director “Doodled around a lot with music.” One piece he completed was the “Loyalty Song” ‘To the best I can figure,’ Mr. Day stated, ‘It was written about 1924.'”

Over the decades, it has been performed at countless games, pep rallies, and school events, always evoking strong emotions and a sense of camaraderie.

“I was first introduced to the “Ames High Loyalty” song when I was a student at Central Junior High,” Director of Bands Andrew Buttermore said. “It was common then, and still is today that the Junior High (AMS Students today) would learn the song prior to moving to the High School. To me, “Ames High Loyalty” means just that – be loyal to your school. I am following in the footsteps of Mr. Richard Day and composer of AHS Loyalty as well as my High School Band Director Homer Gartz (1962-2003). Both band directors served Ames High for over 40 years. That is loyalty that is rare in today’s workplace.”

A 1997 Iowa Boy column by Chuck Offenburger quoted Roger Maxwell, a retired band director from Des Moines: 

“I’ve always thought the Ames High fight song was a classic. When I was a kid in Marshalltown and we’d go over there to play them in basketball, their band would go into that fight song and it’d be an immediate 10-point advantage for them.”

Generations of Ames High students have sung these words, each time renewing the school’s commitment to excellence, both on and off the field.

A Century of Tradition

As “Loyalty” reaches its centennial milestone, it’s clear that the song has stood the test of time. It continues to be a unifying force, bringing the Little Cyclone community. Whether it’s at a homecoming game or a graduation ceremony, the fight song reminds everyone of the values and traditions that define Ames High School.

“What does Ames High Loyalty mean to me? It is simple, as a band director and alumnus, I am loyal to my High School,” Buttermore said. “Just like my predecessors, I aim to be loyal for many, many years to support our students and traditions. I am reminded of this every day as I teach the Loyalty song to all of our high school band students.”

A Living Legacy

As Ames High School looks forward to the next century, “Loyalty” will undoubtedly continue to be a source of pride and inspiration. The song’s enduring legacy is a testament to the strength and spirit of the Ames High School community.

“Ames Hi Aims High” — and with “Loyalty,” that spirit will always march on.

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