It's that time of year where many are thinking about graduation. Here is an article found in our Tampico Tornado newspaper regarding the first graduating class.
TAMPICO TORNADO June 12, 1919
TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES FIRST CLASS Tampico Township High School Graduates Its First Class Last Week The first class from Tampico Township’s new High School was graduated last week Thursday evening at Burden’s Opera House with appropriate exercises. The class of 1919 consisted of four young ladies and two young men: Misses Blanche Adams, Evadne Hellier, Doris Howland, Bernice McKenzie; Dyson Kepner and Wayne Lutyens who occupied places of honor on the stage which was nicely decorated with cut flowers, potted plants and the national colors. All of the members of the class of 1919 gave essays or readings. Blanche Adams gave a reading on “How Spud Drove Old Ironsides” and rendered it in a pleasing manner. Dyson Kepner gave an essay on the much-needed reforms in our legal system, Bernice McKenzie set forth in her essay the needs and demands of community service, Doris Howland gave a very interesting reading entitled How the La Rue Stakes Were Lost,” Wayne Lutyens showed in his essay the many evils in our present taxing system and the need for reform there. The class prophecy was given by Evadne Hellier whose glimpses into the future placed Dyson Kepner in Congress, Wayne Lutyens as a professional auto racer, Blanche Adams as a home keeper, Bernice McKenzie in luxury in New York City, and Doris Howland in an office. The class received their diplomas from the hands of F. A. Brewer, president of the Board of Education who made some fitting remarks. The musical part of the program consisted of selections by the Tampico orchestra, and two selections by a double quartette consisting of Mesdames Amy Denison, Bertha Hellier, Cora Brewer, Clum, Isherwood and Miss Forsythe, Rev. Ray Barber gave the invocation and Rev. H. C. Brown pronounced the benediction. The opera house was completely filled with patrons of the school who manifested much interest in the graduation and also extended their hearty congratulations to Tampico Township High School’s first class.
