This turned out to be a more complex subject than I thought it would be when I was asked the question, “What happened to all the Blue M Queens?” Seeking to perhaps strike a research interest, I mentioned this request to an MHS graduate of the late 80s only to get a blank look and another question, “What’s a Blue M Queen?” So, without all the voting details, which have changed over the years along with the other aspects, here is a chronology as I found it recorded in the yearbooks, with a little Mentor research included. The concept of a single student representing an ideal for MHS does not start nor really end with a Queen.

Fig 1. 1931 Charles Finney
Blue M Ace

Fig2. Dorothy Lancaster
‘39 Blue M Queen

Through the ‘40s and ‘50s, with no organized sports for girls beyond intramurals, with no lettering as the boys had or the same level of competition in music or drama or debate, this recognition for girls of an ideal for MHS was indeed an honor. Each year Blue M Queen candidates were selected from Homerooms to represent the finest qualities of attractive school spirit and participation. The final vote became an all student body choice, so from a broad base, the selection of Queen was a girl well respected by her peers. Her

Fig3. Lynn Espeland
70 Blue M Queen

In the 1960s, with MHS in the new building on Sunset the Homeroom system was gone, so in the fall, girls were selected by the seniors from their class as Blue M Queen candidates. They were introduced at an assembly and an election was then held where the student body voted on five finalists­ “because of (their) contributions to Manhattan High school.” The Blue M staff then sponsored a Sock Hop in October to announce them and the final election was held in February. Subtle differences occurred through the rest of the decade but the basic symbolism of the Blue M Queen remained the same and Lynn Espeland was chosen in 1970 (Fig. 3).

The 70s proved a time of change. After discussions through ‘71, the 1972 Blue M staff abolished the Blue M Queen. The 1973 Blue M staff questioned the ’72 decision, and asked the MHS student body; Should the Blue M Queen be revived? YES, was the decision, and they elected Blue M Queen Sue Remple, with minor photo treatment in the yearbook.

The issue wasn’t over, though. In 1974 the Blue M staff wrote. “In a school with so many varied activities, one individual could not represent a cross-section of high school life.” They decided to honor five girls, instead of one. Ten semi-finalists were chosen; seniors each got 10 votes while the rest of the student body got five votes toward the final selections. And a boy could be elected as a write-in candidate.

1975 saw another change. Tradition was dead; long live the Blue M ­ Queen and King. Five senior boys and five senior girls chosen in the fall by their classmates “for their influence on those who surround them” and for their time and talent given to the school, were asked four questions prepared by the Blue M staff: 1. What qualities should the Blue M King or Queen possess to represent MHS? 2. What do you like about MHS? 3. If you could change something, what would it be? 4. What advice would you give to students, past and present, to get the most out of MHS? The entire school voted in the spring, but I found

no sports Honoraries.)

picture in the ‘75 yearbook (although there were photos of the Multiple Blue M Honoraries, chosen for their “outstanding participation in extra- curricular activities,” were back through 1979. This was the building expansion year when the freshmen were moved up from 10th and Poyntz. The yearbook shows a Blue M Dance with a King and Queen from the junior class on the dance floor, but no single pictures or descriptions.

1980 ushered in a new decade by again bringing the Blue M Honoraries back and having the largest group: ten senior boys and ten senior girls chosen as “a group of people recognized by the entire school to represent outstanding individuals in the senior class.” In 1981, the Blue M staff dropped back to five senior girls and five senior boys from those who devoted “significant time to various school activities” and who would be “remembered in the future.” The system stayed relatively the same through 1984.

The Blue M in 1985 shows no one: no Blue M Honoraries, Queen or King. This yearbook omitted other activities, but unless other information turns up, the 1984 Blue M Honoraries may be the final group. The only Honoraries shown in later yearbooks are for Homecomings.

Fig4. Brock Everett
86 Mr MHS

From the Blue M Ace, to Blue M Queen, to Brock Everett many girls, to girls and boys, to no one, and now Mr. MHS, the idea of representing the school may just have gone through different delivery systems. (The next change does seem perfectly obvious, does it not?)