Williamsburg Celebrates 125 Years

As controversial as this may sound, being from and graduating from Williamsburg is sort of like a nostalgic cult. We all - regardless if we want to admit it or not - beam with that "Blue Pirate Spirit," that former Superintendent Linda Smith talks about.

What exactly is that Blue Pirate Spirit? It's tradition, it's pride, it's being proud of where you came from - and it's etched in all of us.

On Saturday, July 22, more than 200 graduates and guests came to those hallowed grounds one more time to celebrate 125 years of graduating classes of Williamsburg. The event boasted former and past staff administration, current staff and administration and a plethora of graduates ranging from the 1940s until 2023. Before we look at the event, let's look of how Williamsburg has gotten here.

History

Arguably, the person "in the know" for all things Williamsburg history has to be Cathy Over, former sixth grade teacher who devised a whole curriculum based on Williamsburg history. According to Over, the love of education in our town, started with our founder Jacob Ake. When he was creating and starting the town, Ake had an eye for education and a belief that the children of our town are, in fact, the future. Ake even went as far as to pay for most of the educational experiences for students, because he was, according to Over, "very concerned that kids were educated."

The first school in town was started roughly 230 years ago. The education building was made up of logs, but the location for that school is unknown. Over said the topics taught in that school were the traditional "Three R's – reading, writing and arithmetic."

The students had pamphlets instead of textbooks, and Ake believed that the educational system was indeed, a necessity. Most students in those days and in the early 1900s went to school until the sixth grade. According to Over, there were two or four different elementary school locations - one being the academy and one near the present-day Blue Lantern Bed and Breakfast. Parents had to pay for the education, and if parents wanted their son or daughter to get more than a grade-school education, they would move on to high school classes. It wasn't until 1898 officially when the first graduating class occurred.

The present-day high school was built in 1918, built at a cost of a whopping $26,000, which in that time period was pretty steep. The first unit of the school had two rooms upstairs and two rooms downstairs, and according to Over, is the oldest high school in Blair County.

Fast forward many years, the school has had many face lifts and improvements to make it to the place we all know today.

Planning

It's hard to believe that the planning committee - made up of Dave Sollenberger, Linda Lang, Missy Baker, Cathy Over, Lois Hanna and Harry Mullins - planned the big event in less than two months. In late May, it was announced that the celebration would be held and with the influence of social media, the event blossomed.

"The event was truly a labor of love for the six of us," Baker said. "We had a very busy four plus weeks of working together. When 4 p.m. hit and guests started arriving , so many beautiful people of all ages and generations came. I was honored and thrilled to be a part of such an amazing evening for our school and community. The night was full of love, memories, joy, friendship, hugs, tears and laughter. We all celebrated the school and community we've been blessed to have been a part of, the place that helped teach and mold us all into the people we are today. The night will always be a treasured memory for me."

Tickets were sold through the committee and through different organizations and businesses throughout town.

The event

According to former Elementary Principal (and mine) Jan Srock, the event "was everything just how one would expect from the people of this first class town. The decorations were beautiful, the music incredible from the soloist, the food was delicious, the organization was perfect and the attendees all were loving. God was among us and brought beautiful weather."

Former fourth grade teacher Donna Tate echoed that same sentiment.

"Small towns are special places to live," Tate said. "It was wonderful to see classmates, friends and former coworkers."

Current Superintendent Lisa Murgas welcomed guests to the event. Murgas has spent 24 years with the district, first as an elementary school teacher, then an elementary principal and now the superintendent.

"Tradition is still the core of this school district," Murgas said. "We are committed to those who walked the halls before us."

Murgas invited those in attendance to tour the gymnasium to see the prestigious graduation banner mantle, the trophy cases and the newest addition to the gym, new bleachers.

Following a delicious meal catered by Frederick's Meat Market, the evening once again turned into a reception-type atmosphere. Seeing old friends come together again, making new friends, talking to former and current teachers - the mood for the evening was electric, everyone standing proud and tall reminiscing about the one thing that connects us all - that Blue Pirate Spirit.

Following the reception, Lang, a 1972 graduate, got emotional talking about the event.

"We have something very beautiful here."

Lang then announced the emcee for the evening, Don Appleman, a 1962 graduate who was a standout athlete in football, basketball, and baseball and was with the district for more than 30 years and a member of the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame.

Appleman, before starting his speech, wanted to acknowledge two people who left an indelible mark on the school district: William "Bill" Cramer, who according to Appleman was "Mr. Heritage" and Dorothy Koontz, the business secretary who spent 67 years with the district.

After a moment of silence, Appleman said, "I'd like to think that they're here with us."

Appleman then praised the hard work of the committee and acknowledged the many esteemed guests who were in attendance for the evening.