Parsons College Homecoming Queens still reside in Fairfield

It is Homecoming Season in Southeastern Iowa and Fairfield High School Alumni are returning for their class reunions. Many reflect back on their years at FHS and look forward to seeing their long-term friends from those memorable days.

Parsons College will be having a reunion in October of 2023, but this is the year to celebrate three ladies who were Homecoming Queens at Parsons College and still live in our Fairfield Community.

Jane Whitmore Dooley — Class of 1954. “Homecoming day dawned bright, clear and crispy cool on Oct. 24, 1953. Climaxing a busy week of last-minute preparations and float building it came at lasts, bringing with it an air of gala festivity. A highlight of the Court as the announcement of the Queen, Jane Whitmore, and her two attendants, Virginia Heston and Lois Clampitt. The campus was alive with activity most of the night as the sororities and fraternities put the finishing touches on floats and house decoration and held gab fests with returning alumni which continued on into the dawn of a new day — HOMECOMING.” Piera 1954 p. 59. The football game found Parsons winning 27-13 over Simpson College.

Diane Graham Smith — Class of 1957. “Crowning the Queen initiated the festivities of Homecoming. In Barhydt Chapel Homecoming General Chairman Fred Bankus opened the ceremonies by introducing our Grand Marshal. He was Commander Richard Selman (’38), Director of the Litigation Division for the Judge Advocate General of the Navy at Washington. Very handsome in blue with his gold-braided officer’s cap, Commander Selman presented Diane Graham Smith to be crowned Homecoming Queen by Don Engel, President of the Letter Club. Participants in the ceremonies were her attendants, Sharon Kennedy, Jacqueline Danly, Evelyn Barron, and Martha Langner. For the first in Parsons’ history, the Queen was crowned at the Homecoming convocation. She was thus enabled to rule over the entire weekend.” Piera 1957 p. 54 The Wildcats won the football game 32-12 over Luther.

Sandra Whitaker Gillaspie — Class of 1962 “Homecoming Queen, Sandra Whitaker; Attendants Ann Whitaker, Valerie Halter, Patricia Edgerton and Sharon Lord …. Freshman lose their beanies once again … Long anticipated pajama race finally in progress …. Two kittens perk up the Parsons College Wildcat … Tau Kappa Epsilon’s first-place in the float division enables them to win the Sweepstakes trophy plus a $500.00 first prize … Alpha Chi Rho first place selection in house decoration …”Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye” in his traditional form provided the music for the Homecoming Dance.” Piera 1962 pp. 66-73. The football game score was unavailable in the Piera.

Come and take a closer look at the Piera yearbooks as see the photos of these three Parsons College Homecoming Queens at the Parsons College Alumni Hall located at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center display case.

Jane and Sandy were teachers in the Fairfield Community School District. Diane managed the family farm.

As Lee T. Gobble stated “There will always be a Parsons College.”