Fillmore High Alumni Association

Several issues ago, in the alumni newsletter, The Flashbacks, an article explained how the Junior Arches came into being at the graduation ceremonies at Fillmore High School. Prior to 1940, graduation ceremonies were held in the high school auditorium, but in 1940, lights were installed at the football field, so that year the ceremonies were held outdoors. To enhance the proceedings, Ms. Alice Hansen and Ms. Bea Albright came up with the idea of having junior class members hold arches, under which the seniors would walk. It was decided that Shasta Daisies would make great adornments for the arches, and the juniors who were honored to carry the arches had the responsibility to scout around to find enough flowers to cover the wooden frames. This was the plan, until the daisies became hard to find locally, so in 1977, Shasta Daisies were planted at the school farm for use as arch material, as well as providing flowers for weddings, funerals, and other such events. In 1989 the daisies were plowed under, and since then, the junior arches have been covered with balloons, artificial flowers and crepe paper, which were not nearly as attractice as the daisies. This year, under the direction of Kirk Richter, class of '77 and his horticulture students at the high school, it is hoped to have Shasta Daisies again for the arches. Kirk and his class have planted 400 square feet of area at the high school, with plant material donated by Conway Spitler. Kirk doesn't think this will be enough material for all the arches, so he is requesting that anyone who has Shasta Daisies and would be willing to donate rooted cuttings to plant another 400 square feet of area, to please contact him at 524-8423, or call Dick Mosbarger at the alumni office, 524-0416. If you do not want to give up some of your plants, but would be willing to donate the flowers next June 4 for the 2009 graduation ceremonies, please call these same people. Many graduates of Fillmore High would be very pleased to once again see the Junior Arches as part of graduation.