Bement High School - BIM Yearbook (Bement, IL)

Page 7 text:

75TH ANNIVERSARY FIRST GRADUATING CLASS Geneva Dunn May Newton Anna Petitt Eva Rosencrans Lucy Sprague enrent f}f REVIEW OF THE YEARS Pictured above is the program front of the first Bement High School Commencement. This year marks the diamond anniversary of that first graduation exercise. During those seventy-five years, one thousand four hundred and ninety-two graduates have received diplomas from Bement High. The smallest graduating class was in 1891 when Fred Niles was the lone graduate. Fifty-four members made up the largest class in 1924. Mrs. Edith Ruby-Burkes-Back is the oldest alumni yet living. A Decatur resident, Mrs. Back graduated from B.H.S. with four others in 1885. The youngest graduate at the present is Ronald Laughlin, President of the 1956 Senior Class. Nineteen superintendents have served the Bement community. Sixteen of these were during the first forty-seven years with just three being employed during the last twenty-nine. The first election of school officers was held one hundred years ago November 10, 1956. School was held from that time on, but not until 1881 did a class qualify for graduation. The present high school building was put into use in the fall of 1920.

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FOREWORD Seventy-five years ago this spring, Bement High School awarded its first diplomas to five young scholars. Since that time, three generations of pupils have received their first phase of education here. Many changeshave taken place during these years in both the physical plant and the educational methods. We, the BIM staff, have tried to picture our school as it is today, and we present this book in honor of the alumni. FIRST ROW: Sara Poling-Freshman Editor Barbara Hodam-Sophomore Editor Judy Redman-Activities Editor Wayne Hill-Junior Editor Jack Corum-Sports Editor Ron Laughlin-Activities Editor SECOND ROW: Jim Fendley-Typist Karen Strack-Assistant Editor Jerry Stout-Editor Miss Houston-Ad visor Bill Hannon-Layout Editor Irene Alexander-Typist THIRD ROW: Sharon Morton Margaret Zoch-Hi-Lites Editors Ronald Durbin-Photographer Jim Yockey Bill Goodmon-Business Managers Jay Poling Evelyn White-Senior Editors Phyllis Shumard-Activities Editor

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BOARD of EDUCATION Mr. Howard Lamb, Mr. Ralph Moery, Jr., Mr. Charles Tabaka, Mr. A. E. Bodman, President; Mr. Clarence Lefever, Secretary; Mr. Russell Rodgers, Mr. Albert Harshbarger. ADM1NIS SECRETARY Mrs. Louis Miller