Staff Writer When I was a school-aged boy in Forney, Texas, in the 1950s and 1960s, I did not think of high school graduation without also keeping in mind that a baccalaureate service would precede it days or a week or so earlier. And that service would be held in a local church, or in the high school gymnasium if the “church location” did not work out. Of course, this was back in the days that businesses were closed on Sundays, and more local events took church attenmember dance customs into consideration when planning times and places.
Just as a remembrance to open this article, the Reverend Holman C. Price was the Minister, who led my class’s Baccalaureate Service in the spring of 1969, and we “guys” and “gals” dressed up in our “Sunday Finest” before attending.
The BACCALAUREATE SERVICE for the Forney High School Graduating Class of 1957 was held on Sunday, May 19, 1957, at 8:00 o’clock p. m. in the First Presbyterian Church of Forney, Texas. For those of you new to Forney, this build-ing is no longer the current home of our Presbyterian Church Congregation, but the original building is still standing and in relatively good shape with beautiful stained-glass windows at the corner of Church and Bois d’Arc Streets.
The SERVICE opened with a Prelude by Miss Nancy Hatley, pianist, and the music was titled, “Consolation.”
The Processional was “Pomp and Circumstance.”
The Invocation was spoken by Mr. Howard Holland.
“Holy, Holy, Holy” followed the invocation and was Hymn No. 11.
The Scripture was presented by Rev. Alton Vaughn.
Special Music—“Ivory Palaces”—was presented by Nancy Hatley, Ruth Tune, Monna Osborne; Mrs. Bessie Hatley was Pianist.
The Responsive Reading— Selection No. 4—was led by Dr. James H. Stanley.
The Prayer was delivered by Rev. C. E. Cox.
The Introduction of the Speaker was delivered by Mr. O. B. Johnson.
The MESSAGE—“The House Wisdom Built”— was delivered by Mr. M. A. Wells.
“Now in the Days of Youth”—Hymn No. 49— closed the Message.
The Benediction was spoken by Rev. L. B. Jenkins.
The Recessional was “Pomp and Circumstance.” (Most graduates seem to rethat piece of music more than any other.)
*The congregation was reminded to “please remain standing until the Senior Class has withdrawn.”
USHERS from the Junior Class were Davie Owens, Robert Venner, Ruth Tune, and Monna Osborne.
Decorations were provided by the Junior Class.
The BOARD of EDUCATION included Mr. Jack Venner (President), Mr. O. J. Ledbetter (Secretary), Mr. C. C. Senter, Jr. (Vice-President), Mr. Jack Pippins, Mr. J. L. Helm, Mr. Ollie Stark, Mr. R. D. Futrell.
ADMINISTRATORS and FACULTY included Mr. O. B. Johnson (Superintendent), Mr. W. B. Head (Principal), Mr. W. A. Wells (History and Math), Mrs. W. A. Wells (English and Library), Mrs. Glen Roberts (Homemaking), Mr. E. R. Thomas (Vocational Ag.), Mr. A. L. VanHaverbeke (Coach and Math), Mr. B. L. Rogers (Coach and Science), Mr. Alex Lesueur (Band), Mrs. William Finley (Business), Mr. R. L. Cowser (English).
The SENIOR CLASS included Charles Albert Adams, Jerry Bob Adams, Billie Marie Banister, Peggy Ruth King, Johnnie Lou Bowie, Nelda Louise Brummett, Hewlette Burch, Josephyne Carey, Gary Compton, James Davie, June Darke, James Frank Feagin, Bettye Lou Hargrove, Eloise Hendon, Harris Eudy Haynes, Gene Carroll Hickson, Opal Clarice Martin, Julia Judy Medina, LeeRoy Mitchell, Johnny Ray Rice, William Paul Sealy, Robert Leslie Seyferth, John Lyons Smith, Peggy Joyce Tillis, Wayne Tanner, Robert Lee Vineyard.
Highest Honor: Gary Compton, Robert Lee Vineyard Honor: Harris Eudy Haynes, Opal Clarice Martin, Robert Leslie Seyferth, Peggy Joyce Tillis.
Back in those days, the Baccalaureate was considered a “big event” in the lives of the Seniors!
**Note** The word, baccalaureate, originated from French and/or Latin. When used as a noun, it means “an address of a religious nature; a farewell sermon to a graduating class; the sermon and entire farewell service.” Traditionally, a baccalaureate was a religious service held the Sunday before graduation.
*Note* The photos of Seniors are those printed in the 1957 Jackrabbit Annual. Those listed as Seniors in this article are from the list printed in the Baccalaureate Service program. I do not know why the two vary. I was not in school yet then! (Themer)
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