Gardner, Hanson, Hunter, McLaughlin, & Somma.

Linwood Dyer Collection (Part 068)
By Don Taylor

Continuing with the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection – “High School Graduation Portraits from the 1960s,” this entry highlights five additional portraits. These graduates represent Deering, Falmouth, Gorham, and Portland High Schools, along with St. Joseph’s Academy. Based on inscriptions found inside the original portrait folders, it appears that all five students attended Three Arts Studio in Portland, Maine—a local performing arts center renowned for instruction in dance, theatre, and other disciplines.

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Graduates Featured:

Diane Somma – Deering High School, Class of 1964.

• Photo Type: Graduation portrait (7½” x 5¼”)
• Cover: Deering High School
• Studio: The Jackson Studios, Portland
• Inscription: “Diane”
• Class: 64
• Research Note: Confirmed match with Diane Somma in the 1964 Deering High School yearbook, page 131.

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Kathy Hanson – Falmouth High School, Class of 1969

• Photo Type: Graduation portrait (7½” x 5¼”)
• Cover: Falmouth High School
• Studio: The Wendell White Studio, Portland, ME
• Inscription: “Kathy”
• Class: 69
• Research Note: Identified as Katherine Irene Hanson in the 1969 Falmouth High School yearbook, page 35.

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Cheryl McLaughlin– Gorham High School, Class of 1962.

• Photo Type: Graduation portrait (7½” x 5¼”)
• Cover: Gorham High School
• Studio: The Jackson Studios, Portland
• Inscription: “Cheryl”
• Class: 62
• Research Note: Confirmed by matching photo of Cheryl Prudence McLaughlin in the 1962 Gorham yearbook, page 40.

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Janice L Gardner – Portland High School, Class of 1955

• Photo Type: Graduation portrait (7½” x 5¼”)
• Cover: Portland High School
• Studio: The Jackson-White, Portland, Me
• Inscription: “Janice L Gardner”
• Class: 55
• Research Note: Identity verified with matching portrait in the 1955 Portland High School yearbook, page 92.

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 Ann Hunter – St. Joseph’s Academy, Class of 1955

• Photo Type: Graduation portrait (7½” x 5¼”)
• Cover: St Josephs Academy
• Studio: The Wendell White Studio, Portland, Me
• Inscription: “Ann Hunter ‘59’”
• Research Note: Verified in the 1959 St. Joseph’s Academy yearbook, page 29.

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Conclusion

This project is about more than photographs—it’s about restoring connections across generations. These portraits capture moments of pride and promise, and for many families, they may be the only formal photo of a loved one at that pivotal time.

If you recognize someone in these images or they are part of your family history, I welcome your contact. I’d be happy to share the personal inscriptions found inside the folders—words written by the students themselves more than 60 years ago.

These portraits are available for personal genealogical use. Please credit appropriately:

Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society, Scarborough, Maine

Disclosure: This post has been created with the aid of ChatGPT and the use of Grammarly for editing.