First Graduating Class

Students were required to take state tests into the 1920s and 1930s to earn a diploma, just as they had to do previously to earn an eighth-grade diploma. There were exams for every class, taken at the end of high school. Grace McCann Johnson (Mound Consolidated High School class of 1941) loved chemistry. "I was the highest one in chemistry on the state board," Johnson said. "I had a couple of geniuses in my class, and I beat them, too!"

Graduation was held in the middle room prior to 1938, since that was the only room, for plays and lunch and gym class.

1927 Diploma of Leslie Jensen
[Classroom Voices, pg. 354]

Alice Kuntz Noreen (class of 1936):

When we graduated from high school, we wore formals, not caps and gowns. My folks had a friend who lived in St. Louis Park who was good at sewing. They invited me down to stay at their place overnight. She took me to Dayton’s on the streetcar. Riding on the streetcar was something! We picked out materials, and we rode back to her house. She cut out the dress and started making it that afternoon and had it pretty well put together when my folks took me home that night. That was a big event for me, back in those days when we didn’t usually travel that far.

When I graduated in 1936, times were pretty hard. We didn’t even have class rings bought through school. My dad happened to be doing some jewelry work, repairing watches, so he had a connection where he could get rings wholesale. So, some of us got a class ring, and some didn’t. But we chose what we wanted.

Milton ‘Milt’ Bosell’s Commencent Program, May 29, 1930
[Classroom Voices, pg. 353]

During the war years, some boys enlisted prior to graduation, some earned credits through military service, and some returned to finish their high school credits.

Richard Swanson, Honorary Valedictorian, in Navy Uniform
[1945 Mohian]

Dick Swanson (class of 1945):

There were 58 students in my graduating class. I was the valedictorian. Marge Hamilton was a valedictorian, too. Maybe she’s the one who decided we should skip school when the superintendent canceled the seniors’ spring picnic.

Dick Olson (class of 1946):

I remember Pastor Fagerlin from St. John’s [Lutheran Church]. There wasn’t much connection in those days between the Catholics and the Protestants. Pastor Fagerlin got together with the priest and blended the town together. He was wonderful. This led to a joint Baccalaureate for the class of ’46.

MCHS Commencement Program, June 3, 1943
[Classroom Voices, pg. 354]

Marlys Carlson Lindholm (class of 1946):

Graduation was held in the auditorium [in the 1938 addition]. They made it look beautiful. The band had a portion of the program, and those of us that were graduates got down and played with the band one last time. There was the processional and “Pomp and Circumstance.” It was solemn.

Cap and Gown, Margaret Jorgensen Zoldahn (class of 1938)
[Classroom Voices, pg. 353]

In 1948 the caps and gowns were maroon and white. Graduation was at night, with a party afterwards.