May Day pageantry continued today in Clymer, NY.  It began at Clymer Central School in 1939.   It's a wonderful salute to 12th Grade girls who will be graduating soon.  The senior girls, dressed elegantly, parade through lilac adorned arches.  One of the seniors is crowned May Queen. 

Cindy Willink is the Clymer Town Historian.  She was elected May Queen 50 years ago and still cherishes the memory.

"To be voted on by the whole high school, it was quite an honor for me.  Like my moment in time,” she said.
   

Not every girl can be May Queen, however all little girls growing up in Clymer know they will be doing something special on May Day once they reach third grade. It's called ‘Winding the Maypole’ and it's been done for generations.

"You have to remember all these steps and I just remember bring so nervous about that. But we were all in the same boat.  Everybody was nervous and probably more excited than nervous,” Willink said.
  

This year's seniors also cannot help looking back to their younger days and the maypole tradition that means so much in Clymer. 

"I was the very first person in line.  So I felt a lot of pressure.  But I knew what I was supposed to do and it was so much fun,” recalled Kaylee Hodge.

The seniors now grown-up and on center stage.  Today is finally their day of honor after a challenging year.

"I get to walk through in a long and very beautiful dress with all the other 12th grade girls,” said Grace Beckerink.  “We get to walk through all the arches and stand on the wagon.  It's really wonderful."

May Day in Clymer was not fully back to normal this year.  The festivities were closed to the public due to COVID restrictions but were broadcast live on the school’s You Tube channel.

May Day pageantry continued today in Clymer, NY.  It began at Clymer Central School in 1939.   It's a wonderful salute to 12th Grade girls who will be graduating soon.  The senior girls, dressed elegantly, parade through lilac adorned arches.  One of the seniors is crowned May Queen. 

Cindy Willink is the Clymer Town Historian.  She was elected May Queen 50 years ago and still cherishes the memory.

"To be voted on by the whole high school, it was quite an honor for me.  Like my moment in time,” she said.
   

Not every girl can be May Queen, however all little girls growing up in Clymer know they will be doing something special on May Day once they reach third grade. It's called ‘Winding the Maypole’ and it's been done for generations.

"You have to remember all these steps and I just remember bring so nervous about that. But we were all in the same boat.  Everybody was nervous and probably more excited than nervous,” Willink said.
  

This year's seniors also cannot help looking back to their younger days and the maypole tradition that means so much in Clymer. 

"I was the very first person in line.  So I felt a lot of pressure.  But I knew what I was supposed to do and it was so much fun,” recalled Kaylee Hodge.

The seniors now grown-up and on center stage.  Today is finally their day of honor after a challenging year.

"I get to walk through in a long and very beautiful dress with all the other 12th grade girls,” said Grace Beckerink.  “We get to walk through all the arches and stand on the wagon.  It's really wonderful."

May Day in Clymer was not fully back to normal this year.  The festivities were closed to the public due to COVID restrictions but were broadcast live on the school’s You Tube channel.