Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book
Nichols - Our Town - 1984

Barnhart and Strickfaden Are Named
Top Graduates of Last Nichols Class

Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, page 63

         Nichols – Marianne Barnhart is valedictorian and Donna Strickfaden, salutatorian, of the 1961 graduating class at Nichol Independent high school, announces Paul Strickfaden, superintendent.
         There are 22 seniors graduating in this final year of high school at Nichols. Next year high school students will be sent on a tuition basis to other schools in the area.
         Baccalaureate exercises are scheduled Sunday, May 14, at 8 p.m. (cst) at the Nichols Methodist church. Commencement will be held Wednesday, May 17, at 8 p.m. (cst) in the high school gym.
         Miss Barnhart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Barnhart, has chosen “Toil to Succeed” as the theme of the valedictory address. “The Best is Yet to Be” is the theme of her address by Miss Strickfaden, daughter of Supt. And Mrs. Paul Strickfaden.
         In addition to being honor students, both girls have been active in numerous extra curricular activities during their four years at Nichols high school.
         Baccalaureate Sunday’s Baccalaureate address will be delivered by Rev.Noble Bollinger of the First Christian church, Nichols. “A Penny for Your Thought” will be his topic.
         The program will also include processional and recessional by William Fabritz, music instructor; invocation and benediction by Rev. Nancy Nichols of the First Methodist church; vocal solo by Anna Lee Donald; reading, “My Mother’s Garden,” by Linda Rummells; and instrumental solos by Harry Christofferson and Sandra Schmitt.
         The Nichols high school band will play three selections, including the processional march to start the graduation program. The invocation and benediction will be given by Rev.Nancy Nichols.
         A vocal number will be presented by the seventh grade girls.
         Superintendent Paul L. Strickfaden will present the Class of 1961 for graduation with Ben Nichols, president of the board of education, to present diplomas to the following:
         Marianne Barnhart, Alvin Classen, Judy Durst, Carol Finley, Donald Green, Stephen Han, JoAnn Hartman, David Hillyer, Bill Hintermeister, Virgil Hollenbeck, Forrest Johnston.
         Bernice Kasper, Bill Kline, Nancy Longstreth, Clarence Luettgens, Patty Meyers, Robert Middagh, Judith Mills, Robert Oostendorp, Cloyd Phelps, Donna Strickfaden and Dennis Wieskamp.
         The Class Motto is “The Road Called Toil Leads Up to the City of Success.” The Class Flower is the white carnation with the Class Colors, baby blue and white.

~ Photo of Graduating Class, seated in front of school building. - page 63
With the discontinuance of Nichols Independent high school after this term to comply with a state ultimatum, the Class of 1961 will be the last to be graduated from the school.



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