Wharton's first graduating class was 100 years ago
By JANET HOBIZAL

This is Wharton High School's inaugural graduating class, which graduated in 1908.

Although the Wharton Schools started back with Amanda Watts in her little white house in 1888, school only went to the 8th grade. It was many years later that Wharton Area schools started having graduations.

Wharton's first graduating class was 100 years ago in 1908. The seniors were: Lloyd Rust, Sebe Border, Edwin Hawes Jr., Ractus Pate, Allie Hall, Lucille Bolton, Christine Hamilton, Ollie Elmore, Lurtine Andrews, Hazel Taylor, Marjorie Ray and Hallie Brooks. The teacher was Professor Lyle.

The following is taken from the first Wharton High School annual - which was called The Colorado - in 1921 and was about the 1920 seniors:

"The senior class of 1920 was composed of some of the best students that the school has ever had. They were in part responsible for this volume of The Colorado; for their attempt, which was not a successful one, was an inspiration that helped us to carry through, and which indeed, first gave us the idea of publishing an annual.

"A brief account of what they have already accomplished will show what they can do in the future. Of the entire number, five have gone to colleges or universities: Junius Estill to Texas A&M, Ida Keilen to Rice Institute, Bolton Outlar to Baylor University, Annette Gordon to Sophie Newcomb College, and James Herring to Georgia School of Technology. Frank May and Raymond Armstrong are connected with the Nagle, Witt, Rollins Engineering Co.; while Homer Russell is assistant to the county surveyor. Jennie Bolton and Johnnie Norris are holding positions as stenographers, and Edna and Bessie Barnard are now teaching school. Wilma Armstrong is an operator at the local office. Tempy Garrett is still going to school here, taking a postgraduate course. With such a start we feel sure that they shall make progress in the world."

The first Wharton School for Negros was built in 1927-28 but the first graduating class wasn't until 1935-36.

Wharton Training School's first graduating class was in 1935-1936. The Seniors were: Henry Davis - President; Governor Ellison - Vice President; Bozie Fleming - Secretary; Harry Davis - Treasurer; and Alvin Wilkins, Robert Shanklin, Eulalia Merryweather, Ora Lee Gordon, Jurl C. Shanklin, Arver Lee Calhoun, Jewel Mae Gordon, Ardalia Washington, and C.W. Dawson - Teacher; and R.A. Atkinson - Principal.

Crescent/T.L. Pink's first graduating class was in 1951 with 18 graduates. The graduating class of 1952 included Wiley (Jackie) William, Bireline Jacqueline Moore, Myrtle Brook, Easter Mae Campbell, Melvin Campbell, Lonnie C. Jefferson, Prince McCann, Bireline J. Moore, Josie Bell Randle, Ozell Roberson, Senora Tyler, Wiley William. The class play was directed by Mrs. Alice Jordan (grandmother of the late Barbara Jordan). The school colors were blue and white, the school mascot was Hurricanes and the class theme was "Dig A Little Deeper, The Surface Is Just Scratched." The Principal was T.L. Pink and the class advisor was Alice M. Jordan.

Boling's first graduating class was May 17, 1929 and the seniors were: Mildred Herman, Mabel Louisa O'Quinn, Orlando Chester O'Quinn, William Winston Pearson, Hazel Yancy. Class motto was "Out of school life, into life's school," class colors were blue and white and class flower was white Carnation.

The graduating class of 1930-1931 for Boling included seniors: Lavina Mary Pack - President; Aubrey Reeves - Vice President; Laura Lee Mahan - Secretary and treasurer; Marvin Mc- Daniel, Clarence Veckert, Gertrude Reed, Ewing Baker, J.W. Reeves, Rachel Tabor, Vera O'Quinn, Christine Sabrsula, Silas Cravey and Joyce Cox.

El Campo's first class was in 1889 and the students were: Alma Rantham, Ida Rantham, Anna Rantham, Fred Rantham, Fred Rantham, Will Burns, Herman Burns and Augusta Burns.

Janet Hobizal is an archivist with the Wharton County Historical Museum.