2025 artice written by Stephen Rute
A Cherished Tradition – May Day at WPSD is more than just an event—it’s a deeply rooted tradition that brings together students, families, alumni, and staff for a grand celebration of school pride, culture, and community. Hosted annually on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, it is the most popular and busiest event of the year. The entire campus comes alive as parents, relatives, friends, and alumni gather to witness student exhibits, visit classrooms, and explore WPSD’s rich history through its museums.
The event mirrors an “Open House”, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with students and faculty while celebrating the school’s accomplishments. The festival is a time of joy, nostalgia, and deep connection, as past generations return to relive their cherished memories while the current students take center stage.
The Early Years & Discontinuation (Pre-1908 – 1908) –
May Day celebrations at WPSD date back to the early 1900s, following the broader American and European May Day traditions. It initially included festive activities such as Maypole dancing, student performances, and the crowning of the May Queen, a tradition borrowed from European spring festivals.
However, in 1908, the selection of May Queen was discontinued. The reason for its discontinuation is unclear, but societal changes, shifting school priorities, or logistical challenges may have contributed to the pause in the tradition. For more than four decades, the May Queen coronation and its associated festivities remained absent from WPSD’s annual calendar.
The Revival of May Day – After 43 years of dormancy, the May Day Festival was revived in 1951, marking a new era for WPSD’s beloved tradition. This revival was significant, as it not only restored a cherished event but also strengthened school spirit and created a legacy. Since then, the May Day event has been held every year without interruption, except in 2020, when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This marked the only break in the tradition since its revival.
First May Queen of the New Era: Patricia Blaker, Class of 1952, was crowned the first May Queen after the tradition’s return. First Crown Bearer: Carolyn Nock, Elementary Class of 1952, carried out the important role of presenting the May Queen’s crown. First Flower Girl: Arlene Stitt, Class of 1960, participated as the first flower girl in 1952.
The vocational class students and staff played a crucial role in sewing the gowns for the May Queen, her Court, and the Flower and Bearer girls. This tradition was significant, as many of these gowns and hats were later displayed in the Alumni Museum. However, in the 1990s and into modern times, the girls began purchasing their own elegant dresses.
Originally, in 1951, WPSD named this festival “Field Day,” but it was later renamed “May Day.”
With its reintroduction, the May Day Festival quickly became a highly anticipated school event, with traditions growing stronger each year.
The Selection Process & Changes Over Time – The process of selecting the May Queen has evolved over the decades:
- 1951 – Late 1950s: Faculty, staff, and high school seniors voted to elect May Queen. Candidates were not strictly limited to seniors; in fact, there were notable exceptions:
- 1951, 1954, and 1956: Three juniors were crowned as May Queens.
- 1952: A freshman was selected as May Queen, making her the youngest in history.
- 1959 Onward: To create a more uniform process, it was decided that only seniors would be eligible for selection.
- 1960s – 1970s: The voting process changed slightly, with only senior girls casting votes to elect one of their peers as May Queen.
Despite these adjustments, the core of the tradition remained the same—recognizing and celebrating a student who embodies leadership, kindness, and school spirit.
In 1971, Vivian Ivory, Class of 1971, became the first African American May Queen in WPSD history.
Alumni Involvement: May Queens Reunion – At WPSD’s 23rd Alumni Reunion in 1978, a special event honored former May Queens. Out of the twenty-seven past May Queens, eleven returned to compete for the title of Alumni Queen, highlighting the enduring significance of May Day within the WPSD alumni community.
In 1991, Daniel Sheppeck, Class of 1991, became the first boy to serve as the bearer in the May Day Festival. This role held deep personal meaning, as he was honoring his sister, Marci Sheppeck, Class of 1981, who had previously been crowned May Queen.
May Day & Performing Arts: First Signed Play – By the mid-1980s, WPSD introduced performances in American Sign Language (ASL) as part of the May Day celebrations. The first-ever May Day play presented in ASL was “Beauty and the Beast” in 1985, marking a significant cultural moment for the Deaf community.
Weather Challenges: Moving Indoors – For decades, Teegarden Field served as the traditional outdoor venue for the May Day Festival. However, in 1986, heavy rain forced the event to be relocated indoors for the first time in 26 years. The Boys’ Gymnasium became the backup location, ensuring that the celebrations continued despite the weather.
The Legacy of May Day at WPSD
May Day remains one of the most cherished and anticipated traditions at WPSD. The festival is more than just a celebration—it is a testament to heritage, resilience, and progress. From its early beginnings to its revival and evolution, May Day continues to unite generations of students, faculty, and alumni in a shared experience of school pride and community.
Each year, the crowning of the May Queen, the performances, and the gathering of families and friends reaffirm the legacy of WPSD—a school deeply rooted in history yet always moving forward.