Commencement Program

Commencement Program

Strasburg High School (Va)

On May 20, 1927 Strasburg High School’s seniors graduated during commencement exercises held at the Strand Theatre. This invitation was one of numerous cards ordered by the class’ 38 graduates. Originally the event seems to have been planned for June 3rd, but an insert notes the date was moved to May 20th.

At the time, attending High School was a privilege and a sign of a family’s economic prosperity. Students had to pay tuition to continue their education beyond the seventh grade. Those who lived in the county also had to provide their own transportation. Only a few families had the means to provide these funds and to keep their children out of the workforce for four years.

So these students would have been members of the town’s most prosperous families. Their diplomas would have provided a fast track into business, government jobs, local politics, and leadership positions.

Over time this system would change, and the county began to provide free education through grade 12. Today a high school diploma is considered a right of all and a necessity for almost every job. The students from 1927 would have been pleasantly surprised.

Shenandoah County Library

1927