Our Past Is Present May 22, 2018

May 22, 2018

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Last week we had a story about Commencement at the Opera House in 1916.  Today’s story is about the graduation exercise also held at the Opera House, but in 1917.  In information found in the “Junction City Union” newspaper dated May 22, 1917, it appears there was an eighth graduation and twelfth graduation over a series of days.  The article began with: “Weather conditions seem quite unfavorable for Commencement week.  The chief diversion of the senior girls nowadays is designing their graduation gowns.  The many social affairs of the week have occupied most of the students’ time and beginning last Sunday evening with the baccalaureate sermon at the Methodist Church they will enjoy a round of affairs.

            One of the best things of the week will be “Windmills of Holland”, which is a two-act operetta given by the seventh and eighth grade students. This was to be held on Thursday, May 24, 1917.” Admission was 25 cents.

 Apparently the Commencement exercises of the Senior Class was held that same evening.  The article continued “that Friday evening one of the most important events of the series will be the Alumni Banquet, which will be given in the Methodist Church.  The last affair of the school year will be the Senior Class Play at the Opera House on Monday, May 28.” The title of that play was “The Blossoming of Mary Ann”, which was a comedy drama in four acts.  Admission was 50, 35 and 25 cents. 

Class plays performed by graduating classes have been discontinued.  The high school graduates often request that Commencement be held outside at Al Simpler Stadium so more family members may attend, if the weather cooperates. We again want to congratulate the Class of 2018 and wish them the very best future they can imagine. 

And… we thank you today for reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.