HAMILTON SCHOOLS
School colors: Red and White
Team name: Broncs

1901
    First graduating class: Virginia McCrackin, Wallace McCrackin, Josephine Robb
1902
    Ethlyn Chambers, Margaret Summers
1903
    Thomas Hall, Rose Lillick, Dee Montgomery Smith

1906   
HAMILTON WANTS HIGH SCHOOL
Business Men's Club toWage an Active Campaign to This End

    At a special meeting held Friday evening, the Hamilton Business Men's Association, with nearly every member present and without a dissenting voice, unanimously voted to endorse the project of establishing a free county high school in Ravalli County and to use all honorable means to have the school located in Hamilton.
    Upon motion, duly recorded, the association ordered that an executive committee of seven be appointed to take charge of the campaign, this committee to be vested with full plenary power, or authority to represent the community.
    The committee, consisting of the following, was elected from the body of the assembly and will have full charge of the campaign: W.W. McCrackin, P.J. Shannon, C.C. Chaffin, Howard L. Packer, F.H. Drinkenberg, W.P. O'Brien, and Miles Romney.
    An invitation having been extended by those members of the town council who were present the association delegated the members of the New Industries committee to attend the next meeting of the town council for the purpose of advising with the council anent the town hall.
The Western News, March 28, 1906

THE ELECTION WAS A FLUKE
Another May Be Held Shortly - Attorney General Galen Holds That Women Cannot Vote on High School
    Last Saturday's election proved to be a fluke in more ways than one. According to an opinion handed down by Attorney General Gale, in response to the query of the Missoula authorities, women are not eligible to vote upon the high school question. Acting in conformance with the opinion, the women were not permitted to vote on the high school question in Missoula County last Saturday.
    Local lawyers have contended all along that the election would be illegal if the women voted. If the election was conducted illegally, then there was no election and the high school question is still pending. Hence, Ravalli will probably have to try again in due time.
    An unusually heavy vote was polled all throughout the county. In Hamilton, an automobile and numerous vehicles of all kinds were kept busy all day hustling the people to the polls. A joint committee, representing Stevensville and Victor, covered those communities and the adjoining rural districts with rigs carrying people to the polls.
    The people of Stevensville, some of whom first originated the high school movement, and of Corvallis about a week prior to the election, feeling that Hamilton was certain to win, held meetings and decided to abandon their candidacies for the place of location and vote solidly against the high school.
    To this end, they made a thorough canvass of the rural districts, inciting opposition to the high school. The joint committee also flooded the county with a manifesto, or circular letter by means of which the inference was broadly conveyed that the proposed high school would cost 10 mills or $10 per thousand assessed valuation, for maintenance and that a hundred thousand dollar school building would be erected. This manner of campaign had a marked effect as evidenced by the returns. In more than half of the districts of the county, the high school proposition received goose eggs and was defeated in the entire county by a majority of between three and four hundred.
    Ravalli county may enjoy the dubious distinction of being the only county in the state that has thus far voted down a proposition to establish a free county high school. Up to the close of 1905, high schools had been established in 11 counties. Last Saturday, Dawson, Yellowstone, and Missoula with scarcely any opposition voted to establish high schools. This makes 14 counties out of the 27 in Montana that have adopted high schools. Never before in any county did the movement meet with organized opposition and in every instance the county seat was chosen, without opposition, for the site of the high school.
    Disregarding the feeling of rivalry that probably actuated many in the lower valley towns, it is only fair to assume that a large number of voters throughout the country must have been laboring under a misapprehension as to the probable cost of maintenance of the school. That those who claimed that a levy of ten mills would be required to maintain the school were mistaken or guilty of gross misrepresentation is shown by the following figures taken from the financial statements for 1905 of the several counties having high schools and which are now on file in the office of Clerk and Recorder George A. Reese.
    In Broadwater county, with an assessed valuation of $2,392,583. the high school levy was two mills. In Beaverhead county, where they have erected a $40,000 school building the levy was one and one-half mills. In Custer county, the levy was one mill. In Choteau county, it was one and one-quarter mills. In Flathead county, where they have a $25,000 building, it was one and one-tenth mills. In Granite county, the levy was two mills. In Gallatin, where they have built a county high school building costing $60,000, the levy was only one mill. Jefferson county's high school levy was three quarters of a mill. In Powell county, which has a $6,000 building, the levy was one and three-quarters and in the county of Park, the levy was town and one-half mills. Ravalli's bonded indebtedness is less than many of these counties; her property valuation is almost twice as great as some of them; her general tax levy is below the average and she would probably conduct a high school economically as any of them. It may be observed, too, that Beaverhead, home of the State Normal; Gallatin, home of the Agricultural college, and Missoula, home of the State University, have all established free county high schools.
    According to the unofficial returns from 30 of the 31 districts, the high school was defeated by a vote of 1,071 to 1,401. A summary follows:
    Florence district - For, 0; against, 86
    Eight Mile - For, 0; against, 36
    Three Mile No. 17 - For, 0; against, 13
    Baldwin - For, 0; against 46
    Stevensville - For, 1; against 317
    Burnt Fork No. 6 - For; against, 44
    Ambrose No. 13 - For, 1; against 45
    Victor - For, 1; against 149
    Pleasantview - For, 0; against 25
    Curlew - For, 0; against 44
    Fairview No. 10 - For, 0; against, 32
    Fairplay - For, 9; against 61
    Roll - For, 0; against 23
    Alford - For, 0; against 50
    Etna - For, 0; against, 61
    Corvallis - For, 39; against 82
    Willow Creek - For, 0; against, 18
    Hamilton - For, 859; against, 4
    Canyon Creek - For, 74; against, 0
    Sawtooth - For, 9; against, 4
    Grantsdale - For, 48; against, 11
    Sleeping Child - For, 3; against, 7
    Camas - For, 1; against, 11
    Como - For, 5; against, 60
    Darby - For, 19; against, 60
    Conner - For, 1; against, 26
    Rye Creek - For, 0; against, 19
    Sula - For, 0; against, 20
The Western News, April 11, 1906

1909
No Commencement for the 1909 Class
High School Graduates to Receive Diplomas May 21
Four Members in Class
Custom is Departed from to Afford More Time to School Work
    There will be no commencement exercises to mark the graduation of the class of 1909 from the Hamilton High School. No ceremonies will attend the presentation of the diplomas, which will be given to the students at the close of work Friday afternoon, May 21. Superintendent Williams believed the graduating class could not spare the time from their work that is necessary in the preparation of public exercises, and so decidded to depart from the custom that has prevailed for years.
    The class of 1909 consists of four members: Miss May Ruf, Miss Vashti Pretiss, Clare McGuire, and Russell Fitzgerald. At the opening of the school year, there were six students in the class, but only three of them remained to complete the work. Ths is one of the smallest graduating classes in the history of the school. A reception will be tendered the members of the graduating class Friday evening by the Junior class. This is an annual function, and is one of the most pleasant occasions of the school year.
    The Hamilton High School will have no entries in the annual Interscholastic track meet, which will be held in Missoula this week. Since the removal of the school from the list of accredited high schools, the students are barred from competition in these events. It is believed, however, that the school will be placed on the accredited list at the June meeting of the state board of education, as Presidnt Duniway of the University, who visited the school this week, will recommend such action, provided the Hamilton school board will make additios to the equipment of the laboratory and other needed improvements.

1912
    Twelve students will be graduated this year by the Hamilton High School. The commencement exercises commemorating event will be held at the Lucas opera house Friday evening, May 17. The commencement address will be delivered by Judge R. Lee McCulloch. Music will be provided by the Hamilton High School band.
    Those who will receive high school diplomas are Irma Wilson, Jane Irene Southwick, Marie Annette Mansfield, Nadia Isabelle Chambers, Emma Amelia Nicol, Elizabeth Mary Dezell, George Richard Toole, Roy Wells Robinson, Harry Earle Prentiss, James Harris Higgins, Herman Francis Walton, and Lloyd Southwick Roberts.
    Following is the commencement program, which will be rendered at the opera at house at 8:30:
    Music - School band
    Prayer - Rev. J.C. Irwin
    Music - High school octette
    Salutatory - Irene Southwick
    Music - School band
    Address - Judge R. Lee McCulloch
    Music - School band
    Valedictory - Irma Wilson
    Montana (composed by D.C. Bartlett and presented for the first time) - High school octette
    Awarding of diplomas - P.J. Shannon
    Six O'Clock in the Day (arranged from Adams by G.A. Veazle) - High school chorus
    Benediction - Rev. O.W. Jones
The Western News, May 10, 1912

1916   
LARGE CROWD ATTENDS COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
    The Lucas opera house was packed last night, the occasion being commencement exercises, Class of 1916, Hamilton High School. The decorations were unusually beautiful and effective, the class colors of blue and gold predominating. Arches entwined with class colors were built into the center aisles and fourteen graduates made an impressive entry promptly at 8:45 o'clock to the music of the grand march, played by the Hamilton orchestra.
    The salutatory by Claude LaFrance and valedictory by Miss Helen Little were delivered most creditable and received with hearty applause. The address by Prof. Leslie J. Ayer of the state university, was greatly appreciated by the audience as well as the class. W.T. Tyler, chairman of the school board presided and grouped about the state were other members of the board, Mrs. Crutchfield, Ike Wylie, H.A. Stewart, and H.H. Spaulding. The program follows:
    Music - Hamilton Orchestra
    Invocation - Rev. J.W. Heyward
    Salutatory - Claude Arthur LaFrance
    Music - Hamilton Orchestra
    Address "Education as an Inheritance" - Prof. Leslie James Ayer
    Music - Hamilton Orchestra
    Valedictory - Helen Little
    Music - Hamilton Orchestra
    Benediction - Rev. J.W. Heyward
After the exercises, a dance was given at Burns' hall.
The Western News
May 30, 1916
   
1917
SCHOOL TEACHERS FOR THE COMING YEAR.

    The Hamilton public school, both grades and high school, will open on Tuesday, September 4. The high school corps of teachers is as follows: Miss Carrie Greene - Science, Miss Emily Sinnen - English, Miss Orpha Culmer - Mathematics, Miss Erma Clyde - Latin and Spanish, Miss Mary Mann - Domestic Science, Miss Ada Seabury - Commercial Work, Miss Lucy Hammon - Public Speaking and Singing; Mr. F. Davis - Manual Training; Gertrude Hammon - 8th grade.
    Central School teachers: Miss Anna Johnston - Principal; Miss Laura Doerrer, Miss Ethel Duffield, Miss Margaret Eaton, Miss Edna Voight, Miss Elizabeth Manthey, Miss Lauretta Tobin, Miss Olive Waddell, and Miss Marie Shove.
    Washington School teachers: Miss Carrie Lupton - Principal; Miss Bessie Dezell, Miss Susie Fisher, and Miss Hazel Healy.
    All pupils who have examinations to take will meet in the Central building on Saturday, September 1, at 2 o'clock.
    Pupils of the first, second, third, and fourth grades will attend the Washington school if they live north of Main street, or the Central school if they live south of Main.
    The citizens of Hamilton are most heartily invited to attend a reception to be given the teachers of our public schools on Friday evening, September 7, in the High school building. All text books to be used in both the grades and the high school will be furnished free.
The Western News, August 23, 1917

1918
Hamilton High School graduating class of 1918:
Margaret Walden, Viola Stratton, Agnes Blood, Madelin Carlson, Estella Carpenter, Louis Murray, Roberta O'Hara, Irene Davies, Dorothy Taylor, Jessie Williams, Ollie Tebon, Helen Fitzgibbon, Fannie Anson, Manilla Richrdson, Dracilla Carnahan, Katherine Wetzsteon, May Voigt, Dan LaFrance,Harry Higman, Miles Romney, Harold Little, Lester Bachman, Harold Higgins, Bernie McLaughlin, Paul Erickson, Mary Crutchfield, Carl Peterson

Commencement Exercises Held Monday
    Commencement exercises of the class of 1918 Hamilton High School were held Monday evening at the Grand theater. There were twenty seven graduates, 18 girls and 9 boys. The stage was tastefully decorated with the class colors, yellow and green and with their flower, the daffodil. Their motto “Over the Top” done in the class colors was suspended from the ceiling over the state, while a large American flag formed the background.
    beside the class there were seated on the state and high school teachers and the local school board. Rev. J.C. Evans, rector of the Episcopal church made the principal address of the evening his talk being largely of the war and of conditions while the youth of today will be forced to face and the problems to be grappled with when the “unspeakable Hun's defeated, peace if finally declared and the world wide restoration of business and social life is begun.
    Rev. Evans who is an earnest and interesting speaker gave food for thought to his audience along these lines,  The need for men and women of intelligence, forcefulness of character and efficiency of all sorts will be as great then as the need for fighting men at the present times.
    Miss Estella Carpenter and Miss Louise Murray delivered respectively the Salutatory and the Valedictory addresses for the class, their effort showing that much forethought and preparation had ben expended to make the addresses the interesting and pleasing feature they proved to be. Miss Fannie Anson played most beautifully an instrumental solo. Vocal solos by Mrs. G.A. Gordos
The Western News, May 9, 1918

Schools Are Looking Promising For Year
Splendid Corps of Instructors Have Been Engaged With Prof. R.M. Stookey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as Superintendent, Miss Dora Oberton of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Principal of Central School,a nd Miss Lupton, Principal of Washington School
    School days will soon be here. The instructors have been hired and the young folks and parents too, for that matter, are rummaging the homes for the text books. The opening day will be Tuesday, September 3, and judging by the corps of instructors, it will be one of the best years in the history of the city schools.
    Prof. R. M. Stookey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who has been engaged as superintendent, is here preparing for he opening day. Last year he had charge of the Maquoteta, Iowas, schools and gave excellent satisfaction. His selection was made by the board after considering many applications. He has rented the w.T. Tyler house and his family will be here soon.
    It is the intention to have a full school year, and not dismiss the high school pupils to help on the farms. The dismissal of school in the past has not worked to advantage.
    The scholars will be pleased to know that their athletic instruction is to continue. Mr. McCauley of Iowa will be in charge of the athletics and he has been very successful in this line. Miss Stella Andrews of Madison, Wisconsin, will be the girls athletic instructor and teach mathematics in the high school.
    The other high school teachers will be Miss Carrie Green of Cut Bank, Montana; Miss Emily Sinnen of Racine, Wisconsin; Miss Mary I. Mann of St. Louis, and Miss Amy Sheckels of Seattle.
Grade Teachers
    Miss Dora Overton of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, will be principal of the Central school, and Miss Carrie Lupton of Hamilton has been rehired as principal of the Washington school The teachers under them will bse Miss Margaret Eaton of Worden, Illinois; Miss Laura Doerrer of Seattle; Miss Oschel of Iowa; Mrs. Leonard Goodwin of Hamilton; Mrs. Dee Swayze of Hamilton; Miss Marie Shove of Hamilton; Miss Hazel Healy of Red Lake Falls, Minnesota; Miss Mollie Ryan of Hamilton; Miss Mary M. Eaton of Worden, Illinois, and Miss Grace Dutton of Missoula.
Ravalli Republican, August 23, 1918

1919

    The setting in the Grand Theater Monday evening was especially in keeping with the 1919 graduating class of Hamilton High School. The arrangement of potted and cut plants, with roses and peonies predominating, made a pleasing appearance. Above the state was suspended the class motto, "Fly With Your Own Wings."
    The auditorium was comfortably filled when eleven graduates marched along the center aisle to the state, followed by the high school faculty and members of the school board. The graduates were: Emily Howd, Mary Getty, Florence Prentiss, Adra Porter, Angeline Barnhart, Hilda Peterson, Mildred Wagy, Ruth Hollibaugh, Thelma Erickson, LaMont Welchselbaum, and Meryl Deming.
    The opening number was a piano solo by Miss Geneva Vincent, which was followed by the invocation by Rev. F.J. Salsman. The salutatory was given by Mary Getty, who contrasted the problems of the class of today with the graduates of a decade ago, and Emily Howd gave the valedictory, showing the progress made by women in national affairs. She said American women had won their right to equal freedom with men, and told how Miss Rankin was able to take her seat with congressmen of the nation.
    The vocal solos by Mrs. G.A. Gordon and H.W. Johnson were artistically rendered, and thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. A.L. Stone, dean of the school of journalism of the University of Montana, made a pleasing address to the graduates. Dean Stone told how he came to select "The Tumble Weed" as his subject. It came to him while he was chasing his dog, who in turn was pursuing a tumble weed. The weed continued to roll in spite of him and his dog. He advised the graduates to persist like the tumble weed and never let go. His talk received the close attention of the graduates and the audience.
    H.C. Packer, chairman of the school board, presented the diplomas. In doing so, he spoke of the excellent work which enabled them to complete the course. The program closed by the audience singing "America."
Ravalli Republican, June 20, 1919

1922   
Commencement Week At the High School
No Larger Class Ever Graduated From the Hamilton High School, Five of Whom Started in the First Grade and Seventeen Were Members of the Freshman Class of the Same Schools They Received Diplomas From Tuesday Night
    With a pretty stage setting as ever was seen in Ravalli County, twenty seven high school graduates were presented with diplomas ad the Ravalli theater Tuesday evening. Only once in the history of the schools had there been so large a graduating class, the same number finishing school about five years ago. The front of the stage was a profusion of flowers and foliage and in the center aisle was an arch surmounted by the class colors, blue and gold.
    The program opened with the invocation by Rev. Richard Whitehouse of the Episcopal church. The Girls' Glee Club of 20 members sang in chorus "The Owl and the Pussy Cat" and "Springtime." The address to the graduates was made by Dr. Sheldon E. Davis, president of Montana State Normal College. His was "The Unmeasured Task." He puncuated his talk with several humorous stories and complimented the Bitter Root valley by saying if was the best part of Montana he had seen.
    He told how the graduate has often been pictured as a person about to reform the world. From his knowledge of graduates, and he had met a great many, he knew the graduate of today was wise enough to to know that he had only begun to study. The world is moving fast, he said, and it is complex. He told how a greater percent of pupils are graduating today than his boyhood days and continuing their studies in universities.
    Following the address, Mrs. G.A. Gordon sang "The Valley of Laughter" and "Sunbeams," and H.G. Packer, president of the board of education, presented diplomas to Nina Hatfield, Dick Southwick, Hazel Peterson, Miriam Kunz, Mildred Gerer, Frank Rathbun, David Carpenter, Clarence Platt, Edwin Ash, Belle Putman, Charles Janies, Jack Coulter, Thelma Carey, Marjorie Jones, Fannie Gliebe, Hilda Johnson, Billie Frisby, Irene Haigh, Harold Stanton, William Schraedl, Virginia Crutchfield, Leonore McCulloch, Edith Lawrence, Lawrence Humble, Martha Carnahan, Gwendolyn McDonough, and Russel Kunz.
    Mr. Packer in conclusion stated that no one need fear to come to the Hamilton schools next year because of lack of studies, as there would be plenty to do. There had been no reduction in salaries paid instructors and the schools had fared better than in most places.
    Superintendent Don C. Taylor presented some figures showing the splendid attendance in the high school. Five of the graduates starting in the first grade and 17 were members of the freshman class, making the percentage to complete school unusually high.
The Ravalli Republican, May 20, 1922

1930
NEW CLASSES ARE ADDED TO SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND TEACHERS HIRED

    The board of trustees of Hamilton School District at its last meeting elected teachers for the school year beginning next September and decided upon plans for changes in the curriculum.
    It is proposed to include in the course of study next year courses in domestic science and shop work. There will be no increase in the number of teachers so it has been necessary to secure some teachers who can combine various types of instruction. This will make it possible to offer the new work. Some sections of present classes will be dropped and the vocational classes of Manual Training ahd Domestic Science will be substituted for them. Thus, the student will have more selection in studies than has been the case in the past year.
    There have been several resignations from the staff of instructors and the readjustment has caused other changes. A number of vacancies were not filled at the board meeting April 12. Teachers in the following schools were re-elected:
Washington school: Estella Carpenter, Jeanette Johnson, Carrie Lupton, and Helen Larkin.
Lincoln school: Mary Ryan, Grace Dutton, Emma Swanson, Alice Nelson, Neve Knowlton, Mary Shepard, Dorothy Grill, Sue Edwards, Fred Dullenty, and Dan A. Brock.
High school: J. Verne Dusenberry, George Blakeslee, E. Mae Walton, and Elizabeth Gillette.
The Western News, April 24, 1930

Dedication Program for New High School
Dedication of New High School, the Auditorium Being Unable to Hold the Assemblage Desirous of Seeing the Play by Graduates and the Exercises Prepared By the Parent-Teacher Association
    The dedication exercises of the Hamilton high school building last Friday evening was in keeping with that splendid structure. The Parent-Teacher Association, under whose auspices the program was prepared, left noting undone to make the affair a success. The entire building was lighted and open to inspection during the evening. Expressions of surprise were heard from many on finding such a fine building for school purposes in a town of this size. People were present from nearly every community in the Bitter Root valley and some from Missoula.
Dedication Exercises
    The auditorium was not large enough to hold the assemblage and many had to content themselves by looking through the building during the exercises. Superintendent E.R. Ormsbee extended greetings and gave a short recital of securing the building and the progress of the city schools.
    Mayor J.W. Kilpatrick, Albert Erickson and David Hope made the response, the latter of the class of 1915 representing the old graduates and relating the completion of the former high school building `4 years ago and contrasting it with the present. President Fred T. Parker of the school board introduced the speaker of the evening, President C.H. Clapp of the University of Montana. Dr. Clapp made an able talk, which was listened to with intense interest.
    Everett Peterson of the class of 1928 rendered a solo and was followed by an exhibition of dance by young girls from Henry Bishop’s dancing school. The latter responded to an encore. Music was furnished during the evening of Oertli’s orchestra and a song written by Mrs. William E. Harris was one of the numbers.
Play Made Hit
    “The Wedding,” a comedy under the direction of Albert Erickson of the class of 1927, made a pleasing hit. It was well staged by the alumni and concerned preparations for the wedding of Bob Tisdale and Alice Grayson. The members of the cast and the characters were Archie Ted Stewart; Bob Tisdale, Albert Erickson; Alice Grayson, Betty Torrence; Ted, Junior Ellis; Mrs. Tisdale, Helen Spaulding; Mr. Grayson, Richard Leichner; Miss Grayson, Leona Carls.
Carnival and Dance
    The large gymnasium was the setting for the carnival and dance. It was profusely decorated with red and white streamers, colors of the high school. Booths were every where with plenty of opportunities to win something. Many ladies were in costume to carry out the carnival scheme. The grand march was led by Wallace McCrackin of the first graduating class, 1901, and Mrs. Homer Benson of the 1902 class. During the carnival, prizes were awarded. A cake went to the class of 1929 for having the largest number present. A watermelon was given to the same class for having the largest number of boys represented. The class of `928 was awarded a bouquet of flowers for having the largest number of girls on the floor. A can of Bitter Root cherries went to the pupil coming from the longest distance. Carl Lamm-Marugg of New York City and Mrs. Ruth Kleinoeder-Edwars of Camden, NJ cut for the prize, and the latter won.
First Graduates
    It was stated during the evening that the first graduating class had three members, Wallace McCrackin of Hamilton, Mrs. Virginia McCrackin-White of Long Beach, Cal, and Mrs. Josie Robb-Lynch of Burley, Idaho. The class this ear contained 33 graduates. The receipts from the homecoming opening from all sources amounted to #386.27, which the Parent-Teacher Association will use, after all expenses are paid, to furnish the kitchen with dishes and other equipment.
Graduates Present
    The members of the alumni who were present at the homecoming and the year they graduated were:
Wallace McCrackin, Hamilton, 1901;
Mrs. Homer Benson, Hamilton, 1902;
Miss Laura Harper, Hamilton, 1905;
A.C. Mitchell, Hamilton, 1906;
Charles W. Waddell, Hamilton, 1911;
Miss Nadia Chambers, Helena and Mrs. Emma Nicol-Stark, Hamilton, 1912;
Carl Lemm-Marugg, New York City and Miss Edna Voigt, Missoula, 1913;
Clark Gray and Frank Carpenter, Hamilton, 1914;
David Hope, Mrs Mabel Maxwell-Fullerton and Mrs. Betty Barron-Smith, Hamilton, Mrs. Gertrude Hassler-Mithun and Miss Margaret Coucher, Missoula, Mrs. Madge Dick-Slette, Helena, 1915;
Charles Murray and Henry Bishop, Hamilton, Mrs. Ruth Kleinoeder-Edwards, Camden, NJ, 1916;
Arthur Peterson, Hamilton, Mrs. Dora Wetzsteon-Milburn, Sula, Mrs. Ethel McGlasson-Jordan, Missoula, 1917;
Carl Peterson, Seattle, Paul Erickson, Mrs. Mary Crutchfield-Bates, Mrs. Agnes Blood-Modrell, Mss Stella Carpenter, Hamilton, 1918;
Wilbur Vallance, Mrs. Edith Robinson-Hammell, Miss Marguerite Corrigan, Mrs. Evelyn Fullerton-Hartson, Hamilton, Mrs. Margaret Wooligan-Nelson, Jackson, Mrs. Betty Miesen-Cardiff, Butte, 1920;
Harry Loveland, Sula, 1921;
Edwin Ash, Lawrence Humble, Harold Stanton, Charles H. James, Mrs. Nina Hatfield-Blood, Miss Virginia Crutchfield, Miss Fanny Gliebe, Hamilton, Will Frisby, Stevensville, Mrs. Irene Haigh-Applebury, Corvallis, 1922;
Elmer Erickson, Miss Elizabeth Humble, Hamilton, 1923;
Donald Gordon, Ann Arbor, Mich, Miss Doris Matchett, Miss Sue Edwards, Mrs. Tessie Hyatt-Paulsen, Miss Lorna Wilson, Hamilton, Mrs. Judy Moore-Boring, Stevensville, 1924;
Lloyd Erickson, Aberdeen, Wash, Seeley Moore, Darby, Miss Florence Holbook, Spokane, Wash, Mrs. Katherine Grube-Fetscher, Stevensville, Joe Humble, Charles Stanton, Miss Betty Torrence, Miss Etta Mae Jones, Miss Jeannete Johnson, Miss Marion Wagy, Hamilton, 1925;
Richard Leichner, Helena, Harrell Renn, Bozeman, Fred Willard, Miss Astrid Anderson, Miss Lucile Patteron, Miss Ruth Johnson, Miss Elizabeth Lowney, Miss Doris Wilson, Miss Jean Grafton, Mrs. Edith Curry-Roth, Miss Elni Hangas, Hamilton, 1926;
Albert Erickson, Miss Annie Jean Stewart, Missoula, Miss Dorothy Carlstrom, Corvallis, Oregon, Miss Helen Spaulding, Seattle, Wash, Miss Josephine Iten, Spokane, Clare Conroy, Ted Stewart, Marvin Dobbins, Theodore Fullerton, Miss Alice Gravelle, Miss July Lowney, Miss Montana Grady, Hamilton, 1927;
John Jowe, Miss Dorothy Brooke, Bozeman, Miss Martha Sherman, Missoula, Donald Marx, Francis Danwell, Robert Sanford, Miss Crescent Tilton, Miss Bernice Hagens, Miss Mary F. Grant, Miss Lois Howard, Miss Dolores Heavilin, Miss Mary Wenple, Hamilton, 1928
Everett Peterson, Miss Fern Frost, Bozeman, Miss Elsie Jones, Spokane, Jay Kurtz, Nicholas Kramis, Leroy Jones, Harley Nicol, Henry Grant, Chauncey Grebe, George Lay, Miss Helen Willard, Miss Leona Carls, Miss Gladys Centers, Miss June Hartley, Miss Evelyn Vivian, Hamilton, 1929;
Junior Ellis, Kenneth Rogers, Ernst Peterson, Frederick Martin, Miss Marion Benson, Miss Orpha McLean, Miss Evelyn Wemple, Mrs. Delores White-Sutton, Hamilton, 1930
Ravalli Republican, September 11, 1930

1932
GRADUATES' WEEK
Thirty-One Seniors in Class To Recieve Diplomas
John G. Brown to Make Address and Rev. H.C. Start toDeliver Baccalaureate Sermon.

    Commencement week for the Hamilton High School will begin Sunday evening when the baccalaureate service will be held at the auditorium. the class of 1932 is the smallest since 1926, numbering but 31. Last year's class was the largest in the history of the school, having 42 members. The commencement address will be given at the gymnasium Thursday evening at 8 o'clock by John G. Brown, a Helena attorney. The baccalaureate sermon will be delivered by the Presbyterian church. The program follows:
    Processional; invocation, Rev. W.H. Mitchell; Gloria Patri; sextet, "Peace I Leave With You," Janet Sherman, Nola Noland, Betty Hyde, Murrell Peterson, Delberta Ash, Lillian Eversole; hymn, choir and congregation; scripture reading, Rev.H.J. Frame; prayer; song, "Remember Now Thy Creator," mixed chorus; sermon, "The Capacity for Progress," Rev. H.C. Start; hymn, choir and congregation; doxology; benediction; recessional.
    The senior class contains 14 boys and 17 girls, as follows: Curtis Cone, Clifford Dougherty, George Hangas, Eugene Hughes, Earl Hyatt, Andrew LeSuer, Robert Marx, Lee Moore, John Parker, James Skelton, Frank Stanton, David Vesely, Lawrence Wanderer, Byron Wilkerson, Delberta Ash, Ila Blodgett, Mabel Bumgarner, Annabelle Dickson, Ellen Dobbins, Irene Jones, Teresa Lowney, Nola Noland, Ethel Pagenkopf, Phyllis Russell, Mary Schragl, Mary Sears, Frances Sims, Edna Stewart, Ilene Terou, Irene Veltikold, Hazel Weast.
Ravalli Republican, May 19, 1932

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

    Tuesday will be the beginning of the school year for all districts in Ravalli County. The Hamilton school, largest in the county, with one exception has the same corps of instructors as last year. Miss Ella Foley succeeds Miss Margaret Barlow, who resigned to become Mrs. Howard J. Corbin. Miss Foley will be a member of the Jefferson staff, of which Harry Thompson is again the principal. Other teachers there are Wilford Poppie, Mrs. Eleanor McGilvry, Miss Elizabeth Lowney, Miss Marion Wagy, Mrs. Helen Fleming, Miss Myrtle Lien, Miss Agnes Harrington, and Miss Mary Ryan. Miss Carrie Lupton continues as principal of the Washington school, with Miss Della Henke, Miss Estelle Carpenter, Mrs. Mary Stradley, Mrs. Mary Shepard, and Miss Emma Robbins as teachers.
    Superintendent, C.D. Haynes, has as his vice principal of the high school, Ralph Soroos. Ted Mellinger is again in charge of boy's athletics and other on the faculty are Thomas Sherwin, Donald Bunger, Miss Helen Whitehouse Miss Vivian Norem, Miss Mary Steensland, and Miss Katherine Rafferty.
Ravalli Republican, September 1, 1938

1939
    Fifty-two boys and girls received diplomas at the graduating exercises for the Hamilton High School last evening. The commencement address was given by Dr. A.L.Strand, President of Montana State College in Bozeman. A great company of friends and parents filled the gymnasium where the program took place.
    Dr. Strand's theme was "The Universe is Orderly" and he gave the graduates and their friends a picture of the world's progress and the handicaps that have been evident since World War II. He averred that nothing is great merit in civilization and had been accomplished since the war. Pointing to the place population had in the general outline of world progress, Dr. Strand said that at no time in the world's history had there been such a number of young people between the ages of 16 and 24 as there are at the present time. He predicted a declining of population which he based on a biologic study, saying possibly the world would not again know so many young people of the high school and college age. He expressed an opinion the social and economic side of life would be balanced just as other factors of civilization.
    Superintendent, C.D. Haynes made the presentation address and the diplomas were awarded by P.E. Pagenkopf, chairman of the board of trustees. Rev. C.R. Miller gave the devotional. The Hamilton High School band, led by George Borchers, played four numbers, including the processional march for the graduates, and there were songs by Jack Hawker of Billings, Hamilton Alumnus; Persus Vallance and Carol Dinehart of the class, with other numbers by a group of seven high school girls and a mixed quartet. Mrs. B.L. Clow was accompanist.
    Scholarships were bestowed on Evelyn Boozer, Ellsworth Smith, and Max Newell as the three of highest rank in the senior class. Louise Hayes, Shyrle Parker, and David Daniels graduated with high honors. The American Legion citizenship award was conferred on Donald Blodgett and the corresponding merit for girls, the Daughters of American Revolution reward of citizenship, when to Margaret Lyndes.
    "Bring What You Have" was the theme of the sermon given by Rev. Earl Saladen at the baccalaureate service Sunday evening in the high school auditorium. The minister's plea to the graduates was one for simple living, guided by high principle; a steady striving for success rather than spectacular performance. The invocation was given by Rev. H.H. Longnecker. Congregational hymns were "True Hearted, Whole Hearted" and "Have Thine Own Way, Lord." A trio number was given by Carol Dinehart, Persus Vallance, and Lois Perry. Miss Vallance gave a vocal solo. Mrs. B.L. Clow was accompanist and she played the processional and recessional for the march of the seniors to and from the auditorium.
Ravalli Republican, May 18, 1939

1940
Hamilton Honor Roll
High School Students for Period Ending January 12 Listed By Superintendent Haynes
Hamilton high school students to be listed on the honor roll for the period ending January 12 are Freshmen: Harlan Blindauer, Gertrude Ellingwood, Carol Haynes, Jacqueline Larson, Dorothy Lehman, June McGinnis, Mary Nelson and Boyd Swingley.
Sophomores: Howard Dowling, Helen Gates, Joe Gaffney, Alice Liudahl, Ferol Lloyd, Alma Luebke, Harry Miller, Jack Newell, Charles Stanley and Mary Vance.
Juniors: Ellen Anderson, Emmett Birrer, Hal Blindauer, Joan Ford, Vadus Hanna, Howard Lee, Verna Nicholson, Kathleen Tachache, Hazel Smith and Ethel Treece.
    Senior students to make the roll were Rachel Birrer, Alpha Dowling, Charles Grimes, Delores Hunter, Millie Iten, Marie Lowery, Barbara Shellhamer, Allan Sheard, Margaret Spencer and Doris Wilkerson. Marjorie Wetzsteon, a post graduate student wa also on the honor roll.
Ravalli Republican, February 25, 1940

Emergency At School
Young Girl is Carried to Daly Hospital After Appendicitis Attack Monday By Hamilton Boys

    Myrtle Hughes, a freshman at the Hamilton High School, was taken suddenly ill during classes Monday forenoon and the schoolmates carried her to the Daly Hospital on an improvised stretcher. At the hospital the girl was found to be suffering from appendicitis and an emergency operation was performed High school boys made a stretcher of coats when they were unable to get the regulation article which was in use at the hospital. The sick girl is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.G. Hughes, who reside in the Nicol addition. Margery Spencer is another high school girl who is recovering from an appendix operation at the hospital.
Ravalli Republican, February 25, 1940

Local High School To Hold Exercises In Gymnasium 8:15 Next Thursday Eve

    The 1940 graduating class of Hamilton high school will hold its graduating exercises in the high school gymnasium starting at 8:15 o'closk Thursday evening, May 23, at which time the class numbering 51 will receive their diplomas and be the honored guests at the commencement program. The Commencement program follows: Processional, Triumphal March from Alda Verdi, played by the high school band; Invocation by Rev. M.J. Donohue; Selections, Andante, from the Surprise Symphony-Hayden Buddies, Cornet duet by Trudie Ellingwood-Holmes, and Gene White; Billboard March-Hohler by band; Address, by Dr. J.W. Severy of the University of Montana at Missoula; Selection, The Lilacs Are In Cloom - Treharne, High School Firl's Sextette; Presentation of Class by Superintendent Charles D. Haynes; Presentation of diplomas by P.E. Pagenkopf, chairman of the board of trustees; Presentation of special awards and scholarships by Supt. Charles D. Haynes; Vocal solo, Shipmates of Mine  - Sanderson, by Bruce Saladen; Benediction by Rev. M.J. Donohue.
    The members of the graduating class of 1940: Vina Allen, Martha Elma Baier, Max H. Barrett, Mary J. Richov, Rachel M. Birrer, Marilyn Janet Blindauer, Ethel Brimhall, Harold J. Brimhall, Gordon W. Carlson, Marian E. Carlson, Frank Cash, Alpha I. Dowling, Robert A. Evans, William Forest Evans, Clyde T. Fitz, Isabella Sara Fullerton, William Ferdinand Fullerton, William James Fullerton, Charles B. Grimes, Bernard N. Herberholz, George C. Hieronymus, Barbara Hope, Shirley Howren, William C. Hughes, Delores Mable Hunter, Millie E. Iten, Marie N. Kallin, Reinhart Klein, Muriel Genevieve Larson, Mildred Lepetich, Marie Alice Lowery, LeRoy Mabary, Marian Zeller Miller, Robert J. Miller, Lloyd Glen Oertli, Leslie Osburn, Jane Louise Parker, Martha Othelia Patzer, Audrey A. Pennington, William Louis Peterson, Esther Mae Porch, Allan Sheard, Barbara Jane Shellhamerr, Ethel A. Smith, Edwin Eugene Spannuth, Margaret Spencer, Lois Thomas, Charles Franklin Treece, Maxine Van Blaricom, Stephen A. Wanderer, Doris M. Wilkerson.
The Western News, May 16, 1940

1947   
Fifty two seniors of the Hamilton High School received their diplomas from Glen M. Kohls, chairman of the Hamilton school board, in the forty-seventh annual commencement exercises of that institution. The graduating class marched into the gymnasium at 8:15 p.m. May 21, 1947 where the exercises were held to "Pomp and Circumstance" played by a brass choir.
    After the invocation by Dr. C.R. Miller, a trumpet solo by Douglas Custer accompanied by Mrs. Robert Langen, entitled "Sounds from the Hudson" was presented. Superintendent Charles D. Haynes then introduced the speaker, James L.C. Ford, dean of the school of journalism at Montana State University at Missoula. Dean Ford spoke on "Today You Are Living in Tomorrow." He said that today is the time to prepare for tomorrow. The dean went on to say that not enough people prepare now for what they are to do in the future. He said the graduates should start now to find what they want to do and not wait several years to begin their preparation.
    A double mixed quartet, consisting of Marjorie Morrison, Hazel Evans, Carrie May McCormick, Peggy Little, Douglas Kuster, John Borning, Dee Rockafellow, and Don Wheatley sang "Homing." Superintendent Haynes then presented the class and spoke of some of its accomplishments. Chairman Kohls presented the diplomas to the graduates. Following the awarding of diplomas, John Boring sang "Invictus," accompanied by Mrs. Rosamonde Clow, at the piano. Claude A. Johnson, of the American Legion, presented the American Legion Citizenship Medal to Allan Keith Hammel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith J. Hammell. Mr. Hammell was chosen by his classmates on the basis of scholarship, service, courage, leadership, and character. Superintendent Haynes presented the DAR Citizenship Pilgrimage Award to Miss Jean Hill. Miss Hill was chosen by her classmates to receive this award. The Bausch and Lomb Science Medal also went to Allan Hammell. This award is given to the senior who has been outstanding in high school science. The benediction was pronounced by Dr. Miller.
    Miss Jean Hill, who has been so outstanding in her school career, was accorded another honor. She was graduated with first rank in scholarship. Joseph Kratofil graduated with second rank in scholarship. Also graduating with high honors were Marjorie Morrison, Philip R. Holt, Robert Long, Allan Hammell, Lenore Pfeifer, and LaVonne Bucher. Montana State University scholarships were given by Superintendent Haynes to Miss Hill, Mr. Kratofil, and Miss Morrison.
    The senior class officers for the past year were Gerald C. Murray, president; Donald L. Drake, vice president; Carrie Mae McCormick, secretary; and Jean Hill, treasurer. James M. Buxton is the vice president of the student body and Katherine Steele and Allan K. Hammell are the senior representatives. Jo Ann Sanderson is the student council secretary.
    Friends and families of the class filled to overflowing the gym that the juniors had decorated for the occasion.
High school graduating class of 1947: Elaine Beattie, Eunice Berryman, John Boring, LaVonne Bucher, Bernie Cash, Carr Lyle Cleveland, Mary Ellen Collins, Betty Deffenbaugh, Don Drake, Muriel Elmore, Hazel Evans, Angeline Feist, Betty Feist, Dave Field, Louis Fifield, Marianne Fisk, Dave Foss, Richard Goodman, Wally Gray, Allan Hammell, Jean Hill, Phil Holt, Joe Kratofil, Doug Kuster, Jack Lagerquist, Ward LaChambre, Pete Leonardi, Jean Hill, Peggy Little, Betty Lucas, Bill Malone, Marilyn Matchett, Carrie Mae McCormick, Gene McIlroy, George Moisio, Marjorie Morrison, Gerry Murray, Lorena Patzer, Lenore Pfiefer, Norma Jean Philips, Huston Raymond, Dee Rockafellow, Patsy Rouse, Jo Ann Sanderson, Duaine Soehren, Kathy Steele, William Tilley, Allan Weeks, Don Wheatley, June White,
Four men who were graduated with the class of 1947, but were not present at the ceremonies, completed their requirements for graduation while in military service. They are: Melvin Boice, Robert Eugene Greenup, Melvin Lee Hogue, and Robert Adams Parker. Robert Long, who completed his course at the Hamilton high school at the end of the first semester and who is included in the class of 1947, is attending St. Johns Military Academy, at Delafield, Wisconsin.
The Western News, May 22, 1947

1949
Final Honor Rolls of HHS Given Public At Term's End
Seniors: Shirley Applebury, Tom Fife, Pat Fizgerald, Helen Fortune, Margie Hork, Marjorie Little, George Moerkerke, Terry O'Donnell, Rose Rasmussen, George Smith, Norma Taylor.
Juniors: Tom Borning, Clive Hayward, Diana Hollingsworth, Frances Kopp, Pat Loftus, Jessie Lou Maddox, Ramona Tanner, Ralph Roscoe, Lenore Sheridan, 4 A's; Rose Williams.
Sophomores: Lois Bradshaw, 4 A's; Patsy Carlson, Evelyn Clyde, Bevrly Dallman, Melvin Drake, Joe Johnston, Donna Kuster, Jan Langley, Mary Lu Marick, Sue Stephenson, 5 A's; Freddie Stout, Diana Walks, Frances Woods.
Freshmen: Alice Bradshaw, Goldie Carney, Shirley Harbison, Jeanne Hollingsworth, Joy Hope, Beryl Jones, Larry Jones, Shirley Jones, 4 A's; Lorella Lowry, Arthur Morris, Susan Oertli, Susan Price, Barbara Soebren, Roberta Walks.
    On the third 6-week honor roll of the second semester, all of the students who made the semester honor roll printed above were also included except George Moerkerke, Donna Kuster, Deryl Jones and Joy Hope. In addition, the following students were also on the third 6-week honor roll: Delbert Greenfield, Gilbert Hightower, Gary Jacobson, Vera Miller, George Thompson, and Marjorie Little, all seniors; and Jean Swanson, freshman.
The Western News, June 2, 1949

1952
1952 HHS Graduating class
Shirley Harbison, Marie Krantz, Arlene Grotte, Lucille Rodgers, Marilyn Stahl, Beryl Jones, Joyce Hess, Janet Stroman, Helen Johnson, John Duchscherer, Shirley Jones, Dee Cleveland, Hazel Gordon, Jerry Dye, Jean Hollingsworth, Melvin Shulund, Lorella Lowry, Shirley Evans, Gene Wheeler, Jean Swanson, Donald Dowling, Joyce Willard, Larry Jones, Susan Price, Robert Waddell, Dorothy Bunce, Ted McKinney, Phyllis Smaus, Agnes Brown, Goldie Carney, Paula Sutherland, Geraldine Healey, Jim Bailey, Bill Malone, Roberta Walks, Don Doherty, Marilyn Maki, Don Henderson, Pat Zimmerman Platt, Dick Frey, Ella Mae Buckallew, Margaret Gordon, Lowell Speltstoser, Joy Hope, Ronny Roberts, Marion Richter, Dan Paddock, Evelyn Petrini, Roy Wall, Trouson Foss, Marlene LeDuc, Bob Nicol, Rhonda Beattie, Arthur Morris, Norma McHenry, Raleigh Huntsman, Marilyn Jacobson, Diane Schrock, Jim Patterson, Barbara Mellott, Ronald Oertli, Marilyn Tilton, Dan Lofftus, Joyce Oliva, Gary Edens, Lucille, John Mooney, Louie Peters