Looking Back to 1936: Students honored during awards ceremony

Posted: 6:45 am, June 14, 2023 by Reporter Jackie Iddings

This look back at Paso Robles history comes from local newspapers in the Paso Robles Area Historical Society collection. News for this column is selected with the assistance of Research Director Jan Cannon. Newspaper photography by GiGi Green.

Excerpts from Thursday, June 11, 1936 Paso Robles Advertiser

During the annual “Award Assembly” held Tuesday morning at the Paso Robles high school, both seniors and undergraduates received formal acknowledgment of their accomplishments during the school year, which will come to a close Friday.

Both scholastic and student body awards were made, the latter being greatest in number, as they included the presentation of pins, sweaters and numerals for proficiency in scholarship, citizenship and athletics. Thirteen received sweaters for athletic ability; there were no “second time” or numeral awards for sports.

In the scholastic division, Miss Carrie Borden received the greatest kudos, winning the Bausch and Lomb Science Award, the $50 PTA Scholarship award, a California Scholastic Federation Lifetime award and the PTA cup, given to the outstanding senior girl. She was also among the seven senior girls rated as outstanding by the Girls’ League.

The Girls’ League award for outstanding girl of lower classes was given to Lillian Swayze; upper classes Louise Cuendent. Senior girls receiving this award were Marian Azbell, Carrie Borden Eula Bower, Patricia Toner, Crystal Lund, Delpha Lones and Helen Holst.

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The interclass cup was awarded to 1936 freshmen. C.S.F. Lifetime awards went to Marian Azbell, Carrie Borden and Lois Lyle. The boy who received the PTA cup as Outstanding Senior was Dean McNutt.

Student Body awards were made to the following:

Marian Azbell, Mildred Azbell, Gwendolyn Anderson, Carrie Borden, Louise Cuendet, Eula Bower, Billie Clevenger, Helen Holst, Berthol Kleck, Delpha Lones, Crystal Lund, Dean McNutt, Lois Lyle, Solveig Moe, Betty Simmin, Eugenia Simmons, Irene Sinclair, Kenneth Sinclair.

Chester Smith, Lillian Swayze, Ida May Petersen, Margaret von Dollen, Edna Lillian Wilmar, Walter Wohlheter, Jane Fein, Gertrude Ruth, Marion Flamson and Frank Toner.

Schools in final week of activity

Tonight at the high school auditorium, 76 members of the Senior Class will celebrate the completion of four years of activity there, with a serio-comic entertainment officially known as “class night.”

Aside from the actual graduation ceremony itself, “class night” has become one of the most important events in which the class as a group takes part. The affair, as are most all other commencement functions, is open to the public, and most of the people of the town take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the “last performance” of the graduating class.

Formal commencement exercises will be held tomorrow evening at the high school auditorium, and will open at 8 o’clock. Ray B. Lyon, president of the board of education, will award the diplomas.

Mock graduation

Senior class activities this week included the award assembly Tuesday morning, the “mock graduation” presented by the Kindergarten classes on Wednesday morning, and the annual Senior Luncheon given by churches of Paso Robles at the Woman’s Club house Wednesday noon.

A packed auditorium witnessed the Kindergarten exercises, and only the highest praise resulted from those who saw the cleverly planned program. The boys were dressed in blue and the girls in pink cap and gowns. The program was an innovation in school affairs, much credit for its success is due to Miss Mary McPherson, who planned and supervised the presentation.

Senior luncheon

A “Bon Voyage” motif was followed throughout in the Senior Luncheon Wednesday noon, both in decorations and speaking. After a vocal duet by Mrs. J.J. Jones and Mrs. Hal Johnson, accompanied by Leroy Fager, Superintendet of Schools C.C. Carpenter addressed the class with a simple “bon voyage” message, which was followed by a short talk, “Senior Reflections,” by principal George Flamson. Gordon Hambly, class president, gave the response.

A reading by Miss Catherine Easterling, class adviser, preceded the main speech, given by Rev. Carel J. Hulscwe. Rev Coate N. Balch acted as toastmaster.

The dinner was given by a committee of ladies from the Methodist Christian, Episcopal and Congregational churches. There were 97 served. Mrs. Frank Smith was general chairman assisted by Mesdames Herman Anderson menu; Bert Riggs, decorations and Pliny Taylor, program.

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Thank you to sponsors of Looking Back

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