After High School

Alverda Kahle Kilts had graduated in 1925 and recorded many of her pleasant experiences at Yorkville High School as well as graduation gifts in a remembrance book typical of that era. The book, The Girl Graduate Friendship Book, is included in the collection of the Kendall County Historical Society and shows that high school graduation in 1925 was a milestone.

Today high school graduation is only one of the steps towards the future but one feature remains the same –graduation gifts. Probably most graduates today would welcome money and more money. But with the Depression already surfacing in some rural areas and the generally lower standard of living in 1925, Alverda Kahle Kilts received much smaller gifts than graduates receive today. But for Alverda, she was happy to be remembered and congratulated regardless of the monetary value of the gift.

The most popular gift seemed to be handkerchiefs…yes, handkerchiefs. Some were boxes of two handkerchiefs or even four while others were single fancier ones such as a “Luzeru (lace-?)” handkerchief. Other gifts were more personal such as one pair of tan silk stockings, an ivory jewelry case, a manicuring set, a perfume atomizer and an ivory mirror and comb set. On a more practical side were gifts of a fountain pen, pin cushion, and a pearl silver spoon. Yes, there was some money but all was less than five dollars. Lastly from her parents, she received the gift of a watch.

Although Alverda was now a working girl, her life still centered around Yorkville. She, no doubt, came with her parents to Yorkville on Saturday night when they and other farmers bought their groceries and visited with friends. Saturday night also meant ice cream which was described as especially rich and creamy. A sundae was a treat usually reserved for Saturday night probably because it was considered expensive. The cost of a sundae with a generous amount of ice cream was 25 cents.

The fun of winter in Yorkville included skating on the river and sledding. The sledding would start near the old courthouse and then coast to the river. Of course, the railroad tracks had to be crossed which could be dangerous with the larger number of trains at that time. If the river wasn’t completely frozen, there was always the risk of sledding into an open channel.

Although no longer a student at Yorkville High School, Alverda’s interest and enthusiasm in her alma mater continued. In particular, she always tried to attend any play being presented. These factors plus others would be instrumental in the establishment of the Kilts Foundation some sixty years later.