Ilion High School - Class of 1913

Ilion Citizen - June 26, 1913

THE CLASS OF 1913

ILION HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES ANOTHER SPLENDID CLASS

AND SO ENDS ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR AND SCHOOL LIFE

Article 1

Superintendent Schwartz and Faculty Justly Proud of the Fine Record of the Class and the School - The Commencement Exercises

Another Commencement season has come and gone in the Ilion High School and another happy class has seen the "end" and also the beginning of preparatory and more serious life.

The commencement exercises were interesting throughout and were largely attended.

Large credit is due to Prof. H. M. Schwartz, superintendent, and to the faculty, for the most gratifying results shown. Ilion has a good school and is proud of it.

Baccalaureate Sermon

Sunday evening at the Baptist church, Rev. A. B. Conrad preached the baccalaureate sermon; it was a worthy discourse, full of helpful hints, inspiration, and advice suitable to a class of young persons who are about to enter on their life work in the world. His subject was "Vision and Achievement," and his text was taken from Genesis, 37:19, "Behold the dreamer cometh."

Mr. Conrad first dwelt on the fact that high ideas and noble conceptions are essential to successful living. He said that the panacea for the ills of life is dreaming. The things we hope to be and strive to be save us from what we have to be and are. The vision of a larger life in coming days saves us from the drudgery of today. The speaker then brought out the point that a vision carries with the weight of great responsibility. We must not lose ourselves in dreams. In conclusion he urged that the class dream largely, possess high and noble ideas and build castles in the air; also, that they bring these as nearly as possible to actualities. His discourse was heard by a congregation that filled the church. The faculty and class occupied reserved seats and the occasion was a very impressive and inspiring one.

Class Day Exercises

Class Day was observed Monday evening in the High School assembly hall; the room was crowded with parents and invited friends and the following program was carried out. Song class 1913; president's address, Gerald Welch; vocal solo, Jennie Jones, '13; "A Gypsy Camp" (1914) prophecy gypsies, Mary R. Carney, Flora Davies, Lena Schwartz, Florence Quinlavin; presentation of gifts to 1913, Fred Reese, '14; charge to the juniors, Ralph Van Derpoel; piano solo, Luella Roberts, '14; keeping the tryst, Class 1913.

Inspiring Address to Graduating Class

A large audience convened in the M. E. church Sunday evening to hear the baccalaureate address to the graduating class by Rev. Calvin H. French. His sermon which was most inspiring and instructive was based on the subject, "Fair mindedness," and was taken from Heb.-11-26. --- "He looked away unto the payment of wages due," and he impressed upon the graduated the necessity of looking away from the attractions of the present hour to the final out come of conduct.

Commencement

The annual commencement exercises of the graduating class were held Tuesday evening at the Opera House which was filled to capacity by an interested and delighted audience

Prominent among the tasteful decorations of the hall were the class colors of red and white, presenting a most attractive appearance.

At the center of the stage was suspended the class motto in Greek, "Know Thy Opportunity," and adorning a prominent position in the front was the 1914 class banner bearing the motto, "Know Thyself". Music was furnished by the High School orchestra., the members of which acquitted themselves with much credit in the fine program rendered.

Seated on the stage were the members of the class, members of the high school faculty, A. D. Richardson and A. H. Sumner of the Board of Education, and the clergy. The exercises were opened with prayer offered by Rev. L. H. Benson, rectory of St. Augustine's church.

"The Ifs of History" was the subject chosen by the first speaker, Miss Laura May Oliver, who in a well modulated voice followed out her theme by citing opportunities thus offered in the lived of Martin Luther, Napoleon and others and the important part of "ifs" have had in making and unmaking the religious, political and civic history of various countries. Miss Elizabeth Lydia Marsland discussed "Prison Reform" in a clear, concise manner, showing that in these times when Reform is a slogan, that penal institutions have been overlooked. Unhuman conditions that do exist were cited and a plea made for more humane discipline which will do away with stripes and lock step. Greater care taken in the sanitary and health conditions was urged, which will also include education and care that will upon freedom make the prisoner more fitted to meet his fellow men.

The subject of the oration given by Miss Geraldine Ruth McGowan was "Economic Independence of Women," in which was urged that women instead of being considered the weaker member of the marriage union should be considered an equal partner and as such should receive on-half of the wages received by the husband and share her portion of the expense. The day when men were willing to remain the dependent one has passed.

After a selection by the orchestra, Miss Dorothy Alice Richardson delivered an oration on "Julius Caesar," The life of Caesar was discussed in the various phases and with the traits that assisted him in becoming a great historical figure were dwelt upon.

While the previous orations had been more of a serious nature, there was much relaxation in that of Miss Doris Lucas Bradbury who compared "The Girl of Yesterday and the Girl of To-day" and showed throughout the discourse that the girl of today has enjoyed more freedom and has left her narrow sphere of yesterday, and today is educated into all phases of the world's work. The girl of today compared with the girl of yesterday is as a jewel to a flower.

After another selection by the orchestra, Miss Beatrice Blanche Monsel, in a strongly written oration made "A Plea for Practical Education: in which she stated that there was no panacea for the ills of the modern schools. Some change must be made to keep the students through the four years of High School work, where many now leave after the second year on account of the present courses. Educational courses to be good must benefit the greater number and speaker urged the special work and results shown by the introduction of manual art in the local schools and made a strong plea to the citizens of Ilion to familiarize themselves with the conditions and demand what is best for their children.

Irvin Henry McElhose, the only boy assigned to the program, chose for his subject one that he was well-qualified to handle, "Radio Communication; Present and Future". Mr. McElhose, in addition to the trying work of high school years has devoted much time to radio communication and has had a wireless station equipped at his home and has become most proficient in both transmitting and receiving messages. He spoke of the rapid growth of this form of communication, its value in the preservation of life, in business, and in warfare. He cited the Titanic disaster where, while the loss of life was large, it was somewhat diminished by the assistance received through wireless. He paid tribute to the master minds in the development of Marconi and others who are the ... this wonderful invention.

The class was addressed by Supt. H. M. Schwartz, who bade them good-bye as students of the Ilion High School and urged them in their future life to learn true friendship a valuable, a valuable attribute to aid them in life's work. Mr. Schwartz announced the class average as 83 4-10 percent, and that of the Regents; examination alone, 78 67-100. There was much applause at the announcement of the honor of valedictorian being won by Irving Henry McElhose, who attained an average of 92 6-10 percent. The honor of being salutatorian was awarded to Miss Beatrice Blanche Monsel, who attained an average of 91 7-10 percent, followed closely by Miss Elizabeth Lydia Marsland, whose average was 91 4-10.

The diplomas were then awarded the members by A. H. Sumner as follows:

Classical

Lorna Evangeline Avery
Doris Lucas Bradbury
Mary Teresa Carney
Margaret May Ferguson
Mary Amanda Gridley
Ellen Jane Jones
Norma Mae Kohrer
Geraldine Ruth McGowan
Anna Marie McGrath
Elizabeth Lydia Marsland
Beatrice Blanche Monsel
Kathleen Jane O'Brien
Dorothy Alice Richardson
Alice Esther Robinson

English

Mabel Ester Avery
Agnes Catherine Byrnes
Harold Harris Davies
Leon McVough Jarvis
Laura May Oliver
Martha Louise Wright

Scientific

Harry Francis Haller
Irving Henry McElhose
Ralph Perry Ven Erpoel
Gerald Welch

Elective

William Bedworth
Cora Jane Morris

The benediction was pronounced by Rev. C. H. French. At the conclusion of the exercises class yells from the present, past and future classes filled the air.

Alumni Reunion

The annual reunion of alumni will occur at Harter's Hall Thursday evening June 26. Much interest is being shown.