Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 1983)
photo by Marc Wilson M ay D ay traditions, customs show change b y Frank Scheu Have you ever thought about the origins of May Day? When did it start, by whom, and why? The first May Day was in the year 1920. The school librarian Miss Doris Mace, was responsi ble for introducing the May Day traditions to West Linn High School. She, as well as others in the teaching staff, had par ticipated in May Day celebrations in college and decided to pass on this exerience to our high school. West Linn Union High School was still under construction in the May of 1920. So the ceremony took place outdoors on the campus of what we now know as Willamette Grade School. (Then Willamette was both high school and grade school combined.) Queen Clara Costly was escorted by student body presi dent Earl Mootry. There were only two princesses and Clara’s 7-year-old brother carried her train. There were less than 100 peo ple attending the ceremony, in cluding high school and grade school student bodies. They were entertained by various sporting events, pl ays, folkdances (including the May Pole dance), an art show, and singing by the school Glee Club. There was virtually no budget for the entire program. There was no stageset or elaborate backdrop for the queen as in present May Day celebrations. Even the crown was a simple af fair made of cardboard with gold paint. May Day has evolved much since the first one 63 years ago. This year there will be seven princesses, a maid of honor, a queen, a budget of $600, and two different ceremonies in both the evening and afternoon (the afternoon alone having an estimated attendance of 1,200 people) and a Queen’s Ball. Marci Gano, this year’s May Day program supervisor, says, “ There has never been a definite set of guidelines around May Day. It seems to evolve year to year because each year something new is added to it or taken away.” As far as where May Day is headed in the future, one can only guess. May Day’s financial director, Judy Waterbury, feels that “ it is very difficult to predict where it is headed; it has chang ed so much in the past I could see there eventually being princes and maybe a king. They could be elected by the student body, much like the princesses are.” “ Whatever happens, May Day is sure to be a long-lived tradition at West Linn if the enthusiasm of Waterbury, myself the art department, the May Day court, and even the student body have shown towards the program is any indication,” commented Gano. Princess photos by: Holly Duffy, Pam Hill and Krystal Kroker May Day celebration near; Spring Gardens theme b y Nathan Gerstein Once again the May Day holi day is drawing near and the art department is busier than a beaver preparing for the occa sion. This year the theme is “ Spring Gardens” and the art people are stopping at nothing to transform the gym into a garden. “ We are doing so well in construction that we will be done well in time for May Day,” remarked art teacher Ellen Martin. The set will consist of six painted 8’ x 4” panels, plenty of living plants and a bun dle of tissue flowers, giant size. This year’s celebration has thus far included an art show in the gym, separately featuring the seniors’ work. “ In the past the graduating seniors have not had a chance to show their work, so this was quite a change,” said Betty Bursheim, art teacher. The art students at West Linn are getting involved. Senior Diane Banash shares, “ I think May Day is one of the most ex citing things at W L, and I think it is the most worthwhile for the money put into it.” Freshman Allison Wright says, “ I’m glad that W L has so much spirit, and it’s nice to be a part of it.” Sophom ore, Kim Buckner replies, “ I think that it is a good experience, people work their hardest on it.” i
