The year 1967 was a year of firsts: first heart transplant, first ATM, first 60 Minutes, first Super Bowl, and first Big Mac! To my knowledge, it was also the first and last time that Castleford High School seniors voted on who would be the class speaker. Here is what happened.

It was early May and my mom asked if I would be doing anything special at my high school graduation. “Attending, I hope” was my response. About a week later the seniors voted to vote on the graduation speaker. I had figured I was safe as I was not in line for valedictorian or salutatorian. Maybe a distant third. And then the vote tally for speaker was announced and I had won. Before this, my biggest win had been pulling my own name out of a hat twice in a row for local merchants’ gifts. I turned pale with the speaker win. Speech was my least favorite and most challenging class. It must have been as painful to watch as to give the speech.

That evening I started working on what I would say. My mom was immediately suspicious as I always did my homework at school and spent evenings entertaining my brother with my school antics while he howled with laughter until my dad said “Enough!” My mom asked what I was working on. “Just a short speech,” I said. “You don’t mean then…?” my mom asked, one of her frequently used questions when we did mean then. A few days later I had hammered out a three-minute speech that seemed like it took three hours to give…and I wasn’t even in front of hundreds of people.
To add insult to injury, I also had to lead the processional with the tallest guy. That position didn’t have to be voted on because I was the tallest girl. Evidently, lack of rhythm and musicality were not disqualifying criteria.

Despite my fervent wishes to the contrary, the night of graduation arrived. Fortunately, I did not know that “Pomp and Circumstance” refers to a magnificent event or I would have definitely eloped or whatever people do to escape graduation ceremonies. Just as all things must start, so all things must end. I managed to get through the processional and speech without self-destructing. I was ecstatic to receive a hundred dollar bill and watch from my parents as gifts and wore the watch for the next 20 years. I tried not to spend the first hundred dollar bill I had ever received but over the summer the balance disappeared.

Whatever challenges the high school seniors of 2026 have faced, they are overcomers. Congratulations to all! We are proud of you! Go with our blessing as you enter a new phase of life. Before you do that, take a look at the nearby photo of the 27 seniors who graduated from Castleford High School in 1967. See if you can pick out your great-grandparent!

Priscilla Martens