Ilion High School - Class of 1903

Ilion Citizen - June 26, 1903

THE CLASS OF 1903

Article 3

THE CLASS OF 1903

Ilion High School Closes Another Successful and Pleasant Year.

Class Day and Commencement Exercises Attract Large Crowds and Reflect Honor on Both Students and Instructors

The class of '03 held a meeting at the High School this morning and selected speakers for the commencement exercises. Those chosen were Arthur Arnold, Laura Burke, Sarah Clark, Robert Mentz, Enid Remington, Robert Rudd, Fred Smith, Ann Zoller, Ray Lawlor.

Tempus fugit. The awfully rolling year has completed its circuit and the class of '03, which a brief twelve months ago occupied the gallery seats and looked with envy and some trepidation down upon the graduation class of '02, have themselves with honor, and stepped from the top of the High School ladder to the bottom of another ascent of far more difficult character. The class of 1903 gives Ilion additional reason to be proud of its school. For many years we have held to a very high rank among schools of the state. Our schools have become to us a matter of great pride, and it is no mean honor for a class to hand down to its successor the untarnished escutcheon of the Ilion High School. No one looked upon the intelligent, clean cut faces of '03 but felt that they were worthy successors of a worthy line.

This well maintained high grade of work is not a matter of chance or of good work on the part of the students alone, it is the result of careful planning by our efficient Board of Education and work of marked capability on the part of the High School faculty. Prof. Abrams and his assistants have won honor in every honor won by their students, and it is a pleasure to recognize their good work and express the appreciation which all feel for it and for them.

BACCALAUREATE SERMON.

The baccalaureate sermon was preached at the Baptist church Sunday evening by Rev. A. S. Brown. The church was tastily decorated in the class colors, blue and gold, and the class motto, Consilio et animus, was suspended above the platform. Mr. Brown chose for his theme "The value of science as related to revelation." He called attention to the two-fold revelation - nature and the Bible - a book of two volumes. He said that all read the book of nature, but all do not read it aright; that there is the same Creator in nature and the scripture, in salvation and science. Apparent contradictions between science and the Bible are but apparent; science has sometimes failed to interpret the Bible aright, and theologians have sometimes failed to interpret science aright, but both science and the Bible are in entire harmony and when properly interpreted and rightly understood all apparent disagreement vanishes.

The Board of Education, Faculty, and Class of 1903 occupied reserved sections of the auditorium. The discourse was listened to with marked attention.

CLASS DAY EXERCISES

Sunday might have been a day of rest to Naughty-Three, but Monday was far from it. From morning till night the class toiled like beavers, preparing Harter's Hall for the never to be forgotten class day. The room was decorated with hangings of the national colors and the stage was transformed into a good representation of a gypsy camp.

The exercises were supposed to represent a class meeting in a deserted gypsy camp. President Ross Rudd and a few others happen upon this old camp, think it an ideal place for their last class meeting, summon the rest of the class, improvise seats, and proceed with a highly interesting program. Following the president's address, class orator, Evan A. Woodard was called on for an oration. He responded with a well prepared presentation of the "Government ownership of railroads." Edward Staples then responded to the suggestion that he, as class poet, should show how well he has courted the Muse. His poem was meritorious and pleased all by its many apt personal allusions. One of the class now suggested that it was time they made a noise and they did so musically "By the Light of the Moon." Reese W. Taylor then assumed the task of narrating the history, the shining momentous history of the class of 1903. To have written the history of '02 or '04 would have been easy, but to do justice to the history of '03 was no cinch. Mr. Taylor did his part well and perceptibly raised the tide of interest in the exercise. Miss Sarah M. Clarke then assumed the character of a witch and, in a gypsy kettle swung from a tripod, kindled the fire and brewed the witch's potion, telling the future of the class as the fumes arose, it is suspected that she came pretty near telling the truth in a number of cases. The lawyer of the class, Louis D. Webster, then read the class will. Few realized that the class had much to bequeath, but as he proceeded, in cap and gown, to devise the industry, the good looks, the high character, the exemplary behavior, etc. of '03, it became apparent that a lawyer and a will were highly appropriate and that the affairs of '03 could not be properly closed up without one. Mr. Webster made the hit of the evening. A motion was then carried that the nearby friends be invited to an informal reception and a pleasant social hour followed.

COMMENCEMENT

Tuesday, June 23, was the day of days. The Opera House was beautiful; blue and gold, '03, Consilio et animus, flowers, youth and beauty, were everywhere. As upon the class day evening, Thompson's orchestra discoursed sweetly to the waiting audience and filled in between the three sections the program. The southern end of the gallery was occupied by the junior class, consisting of 5 gentlemen and 23 ladies, the usual proportion, while the graduating class, in defiance of all precedent, consisted of 16 gentlemen and 5 ladies.

At 8 pm, the faculty, Board of Education, local clergy and graduating class took seats upon the platform. Dr. H. W. Bennett, a graduate from Wesleyan, offered prayer. A large chorus from the High School rendered "Anchored" with fine effect. This is a new departure and promises good things for the future. Supt. Abrams then announced the commencement speakers. Their productions were uniformly meritorious and it would be a pleasure, if space permitted, to give each the extended notice they richly deserve.

FRED W. SMITH

The first speaker, Fred W. Smith, graphically portrayed the well known "Evils of Mormonism." The indictment brought by Mr. Smith was a strong one and justified his closing assertion that Mormonism must be overthrown if the nation is to be secure. Mr. Smith spoke with good voice and clear enunciation and made a fine impression.

ARTHUR W. ARNOLD

"Tolstoi as a Reformer" was the subject treated by Arthur W. Arnold. Mr. Arnold has a fine presence and is an easy speaker. His estimate of Tolstoi accords with general opinion and marks him as an enthusiast whose misdirected energy would accomplish more good if exercised without the large degree of variation from common and sensible life which now characterizes it. Full credit was given for the strong qualities and pure intentions but still mistaken energies of this brilliant but misguided reformer.

SARAH M. CLARKE

"Music as a breadwinner for Girls" was a novel topic, but was treated in an interesting and practical way. It is understood that Miss Clarke will make a practical demonstration of her commencement theories by herself adopting music as a profession. She cited the various fields open to the musically educated and noted the dignified independence of the musical profession which, she said, enhances the natural graces and casts a beneficial influence on all our surroundings. Miss Clarke was noticeably easy and graceful in her manner and it was a pleasure to note in her case gestures which were not simply motions but which were timely, natural aids to expression Miss Clarke was deliberate and forceful.

ROBER R. MENTZ

Mr. Robert R. Mentz could not fail of a kindly hearing in treating that perennial favorite theme of the platform, "The Place of Abraham Lincoln in History." The nation loves Lincoln, and affection grows with every portrayal of his noble life given with the earnest faithful and just eulogy which characterized Mr. Mentz's treatment of his theme. He is a straightforward and earnest speaker.

LAURA B. BURKE

"The Banishment of Roger Williams" was treated by Miss Burke with judicial fairness. She carried her hearers with her both in her delineation of the noble character of Roger Williams and in her defense of the, at this day, indefensible banishment which gave Rhode Island to the commonwealth. Miss Burke's oration was well written and well delivered.

ROSS B. RUDD

Six feet of height, a straight body and square shoulders are greatly to the advantage of any public speaker and not less to Mr. Rudd than to others. It gave him an easy and graceful manner with which to emphasize "The Influence of a Strong Personality." Mr. Rudd cited Joan of Arc, Bonaparte, Patrick Henry, Sheridan, Grant, Lincoln and other notable illustrations of the fact that not intellect chiefly but a strong personality lead to influence and achievement. His address was clear and strong and was appreciated.

ANNA B. ZOLLER

"Was the execution of Mary, Queen of Scotts, Justifiable?" The question is complicated in the treatment of history as well as in the plea of Miss Zoller by the fact that no age has been able to escape the witchery by which, in the face of the most evident facts, the unfortunate queen won the hearts of her own and all generations. Miss Zoller was an eloquent and adroit advocate and pleaded her cause with effort.

RAE E. TUTTLE

Ray E. Tuttle deserves great credit for the exceedingly well written and well delivered oration on "A Complete Education." He refused to call specialization of highest worth or honor and pleaded for that complete education which is the unfolding of the entire being. He stood for the development of the physical, rational, moral and religious as well as the intellectual nature and pointed out with propriety the influence each had upon the purely intellectual powers and the advantage such development gives. Mr. Tuttle is an easy and forceful speaker with pleasant address and was the recipient of many congratulations.

ENID B. REMINGTON

The subject treated by Miss Remington was "is the influence of the Greeks upon Posterity greater than that of the Jews?" Contrary to common superficial thought she held that the Jewish race was greater influence. Full credit was given the Greeks for the poetry, sculpture, literature and art which made them immortal, but the influence of the inspired writings which came to the world through the Jewish race more than offset the best heritage of Greece. Miss Remington opened new fields of thought to many and made good her proposition.

Prof. Abrams then announced the year's honors won by average standing: Valedictorian, Miss Enid B. Remington, 88 percent; salutatorian, Fred W. Smith, 85.4 percent.

On behalf of the Board of Education, Dr. J. I. Rasbach presented diplomas as follows:

Classical course, Enid B. Remington;

Latin course, Sarah M. Clarke, Robert R. Mentz, Fred W. Smith, Reese W. Taylor;

Science course, Louis Webster;

English course, Arthur W. Arnold, Antoinette Hoefler, Juanita E. Beach, Earl J. Rice, Ray E. Tuttle, Laura B. Burke, Ross J. Rudd, Anna Bell Zoller, LeRoy E. Fake, Edward R. Staples;

Academic course, L. Chester Reed, Albert E. Sherman, Evan A. Woodard.

AND NOW?

The year is closed; what of the future? At least seven of the class expect to enter college although a part of these will not go this year. Of the post graduates Floyd Getman, Guy Gordon, Arthur Kunze, Leon Ross and Bertram Whitmore intend to enter college in September.

The faculty for the coming year is, with two exceptions, the same as this year and is as follows: A. W. Abrams, Supt.; Loretta Douglas, preceptress in High School, Etta C. Reynolds, Florence Snyder, Eva Marshall, Constance Barker, Kate Moran, training class; Eve Parsons, principal of grammar department, Frances Avery, Jennie Carmer, Bertha Twiss; Kate W. Hull, principal of intermediate department, Edith Ross, Cora Potter, Genevieve Dayton, Mabel Russell, Mabel Duddleston, Helen Tefft, Myrtle Babcock, Jessie Pelton, Ada Grimshaw, Anna Owens, Bernice Kysor, Ida Warner, Bertha Woodcock, Cora J. Chamberlain, Jennie Williams , Rae Russell.