Written by Stephen Rute
Photo courtesy by WPSD Alumnis and WPSD staff
At WPSD, May Day was more than just an event—it was a cherished tradition that brought together students, families, alumni, and staff in celebration of school pride, culture, and community.
The 75th Annual May Day stood as a reminder of those early moments and traditions that continue to live on. Many of the old customs were still carried on: the court holding flowers, the crown bearer, the previous queen carrying the scepter and presenting it to the new queen, and the queen wearing the royal cape. Long ago, the celebration also included Maypole dancing and student performances. One noticeable change through the years was that the queen no longer wore a white gown or walked down the hallway with her mother before stepping onto the stage.
May Day events were traditionally held outdoors at Teegarden Field. Since 2010, however, the May Day Festival has been moved to the auditorium, providing a cooler and more comfortable environment with air conditioning. The change was widely welcomed, as Mother Nature did not
always provide pleasant weather or comfortable temperatures for the outdoor celebration.
A special moment during the 75th Annual May Day was the recognition of sixteen former May Day queens who returned for the May Queen Ceremony. The program booklet included a QR code linking directly to a website featuring many stories about how May Day began, written and illustrated by alumni.
The students proudly continued the traditions of the past. They performed the Maypole dance, honoring generations before them. During the “Sunshine” performance, students signed the song “Lift Me Up” and creatively used ABC stories. The letters “WPSD” represented the WPSD
Lion, while “MAY DAY” reflected the spirit of the celebration.
The middle school performance featured an old standing TTY (teletypewriter) used as a time machine traveling between the past and the future. In the 1951 scenes, the actors and actresses wore vintage clothing from that era. In the future scenes set in 2101, the queen appeared wearing a lighted crown and gown. Older alumni were reminded of the classic story, The Time Machine, while others remembered Back to the Future. Congratulations went to Roddy, a sixth-grade student who wrote and directed the play.
At the final part of May Day, the elementary students performed “Introduction to Finding Nemo.” Their costumes and expressive signing made the performance especially charming and enjoyable.
Past generations returned to relive treasured memories, while current students took the stage with pride. The students showed respect and appreciation for the many generations of WPSD alumni who came before them.
Near the end of May Day, the students returned to the cafeteria while relatives, teachers, staff, alumni, and friends enjoyed lunch from the food trucks outside. It was a day filled with joy, nostalgia, and togetherness. As everyone journeyed home, they carried with them lasting memories of the “May Day Festival.”
Click to view several May Day photos in our photo album below.
