Ilion High School - Class of 1945

Herkimer Evening Telegram - June 27, 1945

Ilion Graduates Urged To Aid Nation's Future

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Ilion Graduates Urged To Aid Nation's Future

"The hope of this nation rests in ability of its youth to solve the greatest problem in history," Cameron Beck, former New York Stock Exchange personnel director, told 90 graduates of Ilion High School last night at commencement exercises in the Capitol Theater.

Speaking on "Leadership for Tomorrow," Beck challenged the class to carry forward the system of free enterprise entrusted to their care. "Let us beware of the hour in our life when we stop thinking for ourselves, because someone else is always ready to step in," he warned.

Cites Need for Work

"Education is a continuing process and does not stop when you finish high school," he pointed out. "This isn't the end. Unless you know more than the other fellow, you'll be crowded out. You must develop character, intelligence and a willingness to work in order to achieve success."

Beck declared that selfishness as well as individuals can kill a nation, in admonishing the graduates against "getting out of as much work as they can."

"Americans are also forgetting their good manners; it's time some thing was done," he continued. "A lot of people are doing stage work thinking in an age of airplanes."

"I'm challenging you graduates to bring about international peace, understanding between nations and religious sects, and to create a new world."

As a four-fold program "to save youths from the rocks," he suggested they adopt a plan for life, need of purpose and perseverance and passion for right living. "A good name is your most valuable asset: see that it remains untainted."

Awards Made

J. Guy Prindle, principal, made these awards: English, 4 years, Marion Ray, $5; Paul Bouck, $2.50. Mathematics, 3 units, Charles Paddock, Alfred Morris: history, 3 years, Hugh Griffith, Stuart Cramer; Latin, 3 years, Paul Pilson, Mary Horan; modern language, Margaret Ray, Joan Billington; science, Marion Ray, Alfred Morris; commercial, 3 years, Doris Lyon, Shirley Eckler: industrial arts, Robert Day, John Hilliard.

Also, music, Sidney Partington; art, Barbara Schwartz; home economics, Shirley Roe; shorthand, Thelma Denton, mechanics, David Loftis; American history, Barbara Schwartz; William Momberger Memorial, Phillis Eckler, Ronald McLean.

Mary Stokes and Alfred Morris, who received the girl and boy awards of $10 for all around citizenship, in turn presented Prindle with $25 in silver dollars in remembrance of his 25th anniversary with the Ilion school system.

Doris Lyon received the Becker College commercial pin; Marion Ray, the RPI medal for science and mathematics; Charles Paddock, the Robert Kent memorial plaque for the highest music course average, and Milton Hess, the athletic and scholarship cup.

Principal Honored

Mary Horan gave the salutatory address, "America, Our Challenge," followed by Marion Ray with the valedictory, "America, Our Future."

Rome D. Worden, school board president, and Earl P. Watkin, superintendent, presented diplomas to the graduates, including 10 for members now in the service. Worden also presented Prindle with a pen and pencil set and a testimonial saying that he had earned "the love, respect and gratitude of students, faculty and citizens as principal of the high school, member of the community and a leader of his profession in the state."

The high school band and choir offered selections preceding and during the exercises. The Rev. Gerald Millett, assistant pastor of the Church of the Annunciation, pronounced the invocation and benediction.