Every single item of Thurmont History is special but some times along comes something extra special. This is one of those extra special pieces, a Thurmont High School Class of 1909 Commencement Exercise program. This little booklet is 110 years old and looks as good as it did when it was new. To put it in perspective, the THS Class of 1909 graduated 5 years before what we know as the Old Thurmont High School was built!
The Commencement Ceremony was spread out over an entire week and included a Commencement Sermon on June 20th, the Annual Reunion of Graduates on June 21st, Class Night on June 22nd, the Commencement on June 23rd, an Alumni vs. High School Team Base-Ball game on June 24th and a performance of 'Drama' on June 26th. As you will see the Town Hall hosted three of the five Commencement activities. The Town Hall was truly the Knott Arena of it's day hosting graduation ceremonies, meetings, movies, plays and other gatherings.
The names of the graduates are all familiar, well established Thurmont families, and it may be surprising to you that there were only eleven members of the Class of 1909. The Class Motto was VIncit, qui se Vincit (He conquers who conquers himself), the Class Colors Gold and Black and the Class Flower the Jacqueminot Rose. You will also note that the Class President was Hazel M. Eyler. A young lady was THS Class President eleven years before the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote!
The front cover has a nice embossed monogram featuring entwined initials. The cover is made of an embossed weave and waxed paper.
