PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

June 13, 2013

Graduation ceremonies are typically solemn occasions steeped in tradition and pomp, so the audience was at first startled, then delighted when the entire Dayton High School class of 2013 started singing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” during salutatorian Samantha Harting’s commencement speech. Harting was describing various shared memories of the class that, for the most part, has been together since kindergarten. “I had asked a couple of classmates to start singing when I made the reference to the song, but they were quiet at first,” said Haring. “I gave then ‘a look,’ and thankfully everyone started singing.” That unexpected bit of youthful exuberance helped set the tone for the two-hour long afternoon ceremony in the comfortably warm high school gymnasium on Saturday.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

June 18, 1998

[Photo Caption] Honor students in the 4-5 combination class, taught by Janna Gingrich, included, front row: Richard Pounds, Travis Williams, Whitney Johnson, Marci Jo Lanning, Emily Hogan, Christy Fouste. Middle Row: Danielle Lehr, Jesse Meier. Back Row: Chris Dessert, Brad McCambridge, John Henry, Laisha Archer, Brittney Zuger, Matt Baker, Lindsey Auchterlonie and Ashley Burner.

Fifty Years Ago

June 14, 1973

Staff requirements for Waitsburg High School are now filled, Superintendent Gerald Maib told The Times this week. Bob Mathews, a 1968 Wa-Hi graduate who attended WSU has been hired to fill the position vacated by the resignation of Sanford Jetton. Bob’s major was English with a minor in coaching. He will teach high school English, assist with football, basketball B-Squad and head track. Bob is single. Donald E. Chromy, a graduate of Western Washington State College in Bellingham will take over the reins of the Waitsburg school music department. Chromy has a BA in Musical Education, will be married in August. He graduated from Highland High School in Seattle and will teach consumer math at Waitsburg in addition to the music responsibilities. He takes over the position vacated by Pete Fenton.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

June 18, 1948

Elmer Estes and Norman Anderson, Waitsburg and Ivan Bainter of Dayton made a 1200-mile duel cross country flight to San Francisco and back last week.

Friends of Mrs. Bob Jacobson attended a baby shower in her honor at the home of Mrs. Gene Ray Friday evening, June 4. Steffan Earl Jacobson was born June 11.

Miss Joyce Tuttle left for Pullman Sunday evening to attend the high school summer music camp at Washington State College.

One Hundred Years Ago

June 22, 1923

The Walla Walla Ku Klux Klan No. 3 to which a number of Waitsburg men belong, gave their first open-air ceremonial in this locality on the top of the Billups hill just southwest of this city Saturday night, commencing about 9 o’clock.

Mrs. J. D. Tuke and children of Walla Walla were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Callahan Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Marriett, Mrs. Tuke and children, and Mr. and Mrs. Callahan drove to Guntle Springs for the afternoon.

Jay Benn who has just completed his second year at the Idaho State University at Moscow, has accepted the principalship of the schools at Wendler, Id.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

June 24, 1898

Misses Adelle Morgan and Fannie Weller, two of Waitsburg’s lovely young ladies, arrived home last week from Ellensburg, having graduated from the Ellensburg State Normal with high honors. Miss Adelle and Miss Fannie are students in the fullest sense and The Times wishes for them the success their labor deserves.

Invitations are out announcing the approaching marriage of Miss Jennie Loundagin of this city and Ralph R. Riggs of Salem, Oregon, which will take place Wednesday, June 29, 1898, at the residence of G. W. Loundagin.