Do You Remember?

  1. We were the first class to go completely through the new Gainesville High School at 1900 NW 13th Street.
  2. Our class officers were: Paul Clayton, President; Bill Watson, Vice-President; Mary Margaret Cox, Secretary; Azey Stephens, Treasurer.
  3. 70% of the class who applied to college were accepted.
  4. Bacculaureate Service was held at the First Methodist Church at 419 NE 1st Street on May 31, 1959 at 8pm, with Rev. S. George Clark, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church bringing the message on “How to Succeed.”
  5. Senior Banquet was at the University of Florida Student Service Center on June 4, 1959 at 7pm. The menu: country fried steak, whipped potatoes, buttered green lima beans, pear blush and cottage cheese salad, hot rolls and butter, cherry pie, ice tea (or coffee by request).
  6. Gainesville High School Graduation Exercises were held at the University of Florida Gymnasium on June 5, 1959 at 8pm, with Dr. Harvey K. Meyer giving the commencement speech entitled, “Frontier-The Galaxy.”
  7. Gainesville Sun – June 7, 1959, page 11 reports 247 graduated from Gainesville High School on June 5, which was the largest class in the school’s history.
  8. Cost for graduating from high school in 1959:
    • cap & gown rental – $4
    • class ring – $22
    • girl’s prom formal – $40
    • graduation invitations – $15
    • name cards – $4
    • photograph in cap & gown – $5
    • senior banquet & kid day $4
    • tuxedo rental -about $6
    • yearbook – $5