LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

Oakville Class of 1954 Elizabeth Gerst Beverly Miller Merilyne "Janie" Mellinger Robert Lanz Robert Murray Jean Strawhacker Bill Carder Gladys Kramer Evelyn Degan

(The following  is from the collection of Elizabeth Gerst Street.) School Photo: Nine seniors surround Superintendent Howard T. Peterson of Oakville High School in the senior class composite. They are Robert Murray, class vice president, Betty Gerst, class president and valedictorian; Gladys Kramer, Robert Lanz, class secretary-treasurer; Jean Strawhacker, Evelyn Degan, salutatorian; Merilyne Mellinger, Bill Carder and Beverly Miller. Program for Commencement Exercises at the Oakville High School Auditorium for the High School and Eighth Grade at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 1954. Joann Peterson - Processional; The Rev. Lester Hancock - Invocation; Beverly Miller accompanied by Joann Peterson - vocal solo "Ninety First Psalm.; Howard Peterson, Presentation of Awards; Mrs. Paul Baird - Presentation of Eighth Grade Diplomas; Mr. Kenneth Campbell, president of the Board of Education - Presentation of High School Diplomas; Beverly Miller, Joann Peterson, Yvonne Charbonneau, and Betty Gerst accompanied by Diane Carlson - vocal quartet "Serenade"; The Rev. Paul Calhoun - Address; Recessional. Oakville to Graduate Eight in 1954 Class / Final classes set May 17, 18 / Burlington Pastor Guest Speaker (Newspaper unknown) "OAKVILLE - The baccalaureate service for the graduating senior and eighth grade classes will be held at the Methodist Church, Sunday evening with the Rev. Lester Hancock officiating. The service will start at 8 p.m. Commencement exercises will be held a the school gymnasium Tuesday evening, May 18 at 8 p.m. Dr. John Calhoun, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Burlington will deliver the commencement address. Final classes for the school year will be held Monday and Tuesday, May 17 and 18, and report cards will be distributed Friday morning, May 21. The annual community picnic for the closing of school will be held at the school gymnasium at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 20. The supper will be be followed by a program when the awards for the year's work will be presented to the students. The members of the graduating class this year are Jane Mellinger, Robert Lanz, Betty Gerst, Evelyn Degan, Robert Murray, Jean Strawhacker, Beverly Miller and Gladys Kramer." Seniors honored at Spring breakfast (newspaper unknown) "The members of the senior class and the high school faculty were recently honored at a spring breakfast, which was given for them at the Methodist Church dining room by the 20th Century Club. For the occasion the tables were arranged in a "U" shape, decorated with spring flower arrangements, yellow tablecloths and napkins and the menu included orange juice, waffles with honey butter, syrup and a variety of preserves, sausages and coffee and milk. For the program, the committee planned a variety of games and group singing and the welcome from the 20th Century Club was given by Mrs. J. G. Waterhouse. Betty Gerst represented the senior class and gave the response and Mr. (Superintendent Howard) Peterson gave the closing talk. The senior girls were presented with corsages and handkerchiefs and the boys received mail clips and ceramic novelties. It has been the custom of the 20th Century club to honor the seniors each year.