The Effingham Academy in Springfield held a Commencement Sermon in the High School Auditorium on Sunday, May 30, 1937, at 11:30 a.m. There was a choir. Rev. B. F. West (Methodist), Rev. J. V. Addy (Lutheran), Rev. Loyd Garland (Baptist) and Rev. Lon L. Day (Baptist) took part in the service.

On May 31, 1937, there was an operetta at 8:30 p.m. On Tuesday, June 1, 1937, the graduation exercises were held at 8:30 p.m.

The class motto was: "Not on the heights, but climbing." The class song was "Memories." Colors of the class were blue and white, and the class flower was the Shasta daisy. "Cheer Up" was the class play for the year.

The class roll included: Horace Berry, America Bowers (Helmly), Bobbie Lee Brinson, Harry Brinson, Willie James Calhoun, Ruth Crapps, Raybun Dasher, Mary Ford (Ewaldsen), Billy Gnann, Arte Heidt, Norma Maulden (Exley), Caryl Morgan (Wisler), Catherine Morgan (Holiday), Elizabeth Morgan, Eugene Morgan, Ruth Morgan, Maggie Pace (Ford), Christine Shearouse, Madeline Shearouse (Sutton), Pauline Seckinger (Varnell), Gaisy Usher (Hodges), Roxie Wallace and Anna Zeigler.

The list of rules for teachers was of interest and is published here. There were only 11 grades when the class of 1937 graduated. Teachers for these students were: Superintendent R.B. Eleazer, Lois Burke, Anna Williams and Catherine Chastain. Music teachers through the years included Mrs. Callaway, Dorothy Hughes (Shearouse), Willie Fred Pearce and Ida Mouzon (Gnann).

Many in this class have passed away. It is interesting to see how things were done at graduation 75 years ago.

This was written by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society. If you have photos, comments or information to share, contact Susan Exley at 754-6681 or email her at: hesexleyherald@aol.com.