Milwaukie, OR High School Alumni Association and Early History 1917

The Milwaukie High School Alumni Association

Perhaps you do not know that there is one. If so, it is time you were hearing about it. In order that you may know all about our Alumni Association it will be necessary to refer back to the ancient history of Milwaukie High School.

Six years ago Milwaukie had only a two-year high school. The first class to complete the course which it offered was the one of 1910 and consisted of Bessie Holt McIntyre and Lorene Smith. The members of the following year's class were Grace Martin Coleman, Olivia Johnson, Jens Olsen, Otto Shindler, Lloyd Rippey and Orvil Olds. Mrs. Shaw, who was then principal of Milwaukie School, entertained the high school at a party at her home in 1911. At that time she suggested the organization of an Alumni Association.

The young people readily acted upon the suggestion and a constitution was drawn up and officers were elected. Bessie Holt McIntyre was the first president.

For the next two years there was no graduating class, but during this time two meetings of the Alumni Association were held. In 1914 the first class to complete the four year high school was welcomed by the Alumni at a combined business and social meeting held at the home of Grace Martin Coleman.

At this time Grace was elected president. It was also decided to invite the head of the high school department to all meetings of the Association, and Miss Young, one of the first teachers in the school, was made an Honorary member.

From that time on an annual meeting has been held each June, to welcome the new class and to elect officers for the following year. One or two social meetings are also held each year giving old friends and classmates a chance to get together and talk over old times.

Two of these social meetings have been in the form of bonfire parties at Oak Grove Beach and have been jolly larks for all who attended.

The annual meeting of 1916 was held at the home of the president, Howard Cooper, and was a very enjoyable occasion for all ; the initiating of the new members being especial fun for the older members. Two other social meetings were held during the year and many more are planned for the future.

Anyone upon graduating from Milwaukie High School becomes a member of the Alumni Association. The dues are twenty-five cents a year, to be paid at the annual meeting.

The Alumni extend a hearty welcome to the class of '17, wishing its members success and happiness as they start upon their new fields of endeavor and sincerely hoping to see one and all of them at the annual meeting in June.

Alumni information from the 1917 Yearbook of Milwaukie High School