Stratton Urges Ilion Grads 'Speak Up' On Their Beliefs
ILION - Graduation exercises for 175 seniors of Ilion High School were held yesterday afternoon at the Capitol Theater, with many awarded scholarships and prizes as well as the traditional diplomas.
Rep. Samuel P. Stratton. D-Amsterdam, addressed the class on the challenges of the 1960's.
He said they need to recognize their personal stake in the success of our American system, and recognize a personal responsibility to see that it runs properly.
Stratton said they should speak up for what they believe in and reminded them that with the right of freedom of speech comes the responsibility of being well - informed in order to make proper judgments.
People, he said, also need to become "involved." A personal commitment to our community and country has to be made, he stated. "There can be no free riders in a free society."
Another challenge that faces graduates, he said, is showing courage in their daily living. The courage to act on what they believe in, even though unpopular. He referred to President Kennedy as embodying the ideals that they should strive for. Kennedy, he said, showed both physical and moral courage in his life.
Stratton also stressed that learning should never cease. Whether or not a student goes on to higher education, or marries, or goes into a job, he should be continually "seeking more knowledge." "Our education should never end," he said.
William Cornell, class valedictorian, gave the valedictory address, "The Two Cultures and the Individual." Miss Kathleen Hoffman, salutatorian, gave an address, "Renascence."
Leo J. Sammon, Jr., principal, awarded prizes. The scholarships winners were:
The I. Clarke Seamans scholarship, David Crocker, $300;
income from the Clayton Memorial scholarship (presented by the family of Floyd and Emma Clayton), Linda Brown, $190;
American Legion Auxiliary nursing scholarship, Ilion Post 920, Karen Custer, $100;
Earl Parry Watkin scholarship, grant of $200 per person per year for four years,
Diana Withington, Joanne Urtz, Mary Jean McGrath, Joseph Collea.
Also,
Beta Chi Rho nursing scholarship, Frances Canning, $100;
Leo B. Ahern memorial scholarship, Donald Spedding, $100;
Varsity Club scholarship, given in memory of Richard N. Adams, Class of 1962, Robert W. Bluett, $100;
National Honor Society prize, Mary Jean McGrath, $25;
Hoard memorial award trust fund, study grants in varying amounts to assist people going to college,
Diana Withington, Barbara Wardle, Judith Gray. Mary Jean McGrath, Joanne Urtz, Ronald Parshall, Joseph Short.
The Regents Scholarship winners are:
Richard Albin, Suzanne Backman, Kenneth Brown, Linda Brown, Bridget Carney. Joseph Collea, William Cornel], David Crocker, Susan Getman, Frederick Hartman, Kathleen Hoffman, Joseph Hofstra, Charles Leniek, Clifford Mead, William Miles, George Rolling, Robert Schneider.
College honors and scholarships:
Linda Brown, St. Lawrence U.;
Richard Albin, Suzanne Backman, University of Rochester;
Robert Bluett, Ithaca;
William Cornell, Reed;
William Miles, Colgate;
Kathleen Hoffman, Bridget Carney, State Elks scholarship;
Ronald Bluett, trustee's scholarship, Clarkson;
Diane Withington, William Smith and Ida J. Butcher Scholarship;
Frances Canning, alternate for State Beta Chi nursing scholarship.
Prizes awarded were as follows:
William Cornell, English four years,
Loretta O. Douglas fund, $25;
history four years,
Cornelia Nagel prize, $5;
world history 10th year, by Miss Barbara Schwartz. $5;
Latin three years, $10;
John Guy Prindle memorial prize in science, $10 first prize, and
Bausch and Lomb medal; mathematics and science, second prize $5;
Earl Parry Watkin memorial prize for valedictorian, $20;
speech arts, $5.
Linda Brown, mathematics four years, $10;
John Guy Prindle memorial prize in science, second prize, $5;
highest average in physics, $10 and the RPI medal for achievement in science: mathematics and science, $10 first prize.
Suzanne Backman, Women of the Moose prize for nurse training, $10;
William and Nettie Parker prize, $40;
Sharon Chambers, the Priscilla Burnham memorial prize for piano, $10;
the Robert Kent memorial prize in music, $10;
George Rolling, English literature term paper, $10 given by Ilion Historical Club;
Citizenship prize, $10, given by Mohawk Valley Lodge B'nai B'rith.
Bridget Carney, English literature term paper, $10 given by Ilion Historical Club;
Kathleen Hoffman, school prize for salutatorian, $20;
Gale Wells, Spanish three years, $10;
special Spanish award, memory of Mrs. Ella Dimmock, given by Ilion Historical Club, $10;
Diana Withington, English award in honor of Mrs. Elizabeth Marston, retired English teacher, given by Mr. and Mrs. John Gird, $10.
William Miles, American History 12th year, given by Mohawk Valley Chapter DAR, $5;
Ronald Parshall, French three years, $10; the outstanding attitude in instrumental music prize, given by Ilion A.F. of M., $5;
Carol Pozniak, proficiency in secretarial practice, $10;
Elaine Duminy, proficiency in shorthand two years, $5;
IrvingTruax, industrial arts and vocational shop three years, $10.
Also,
Jane Lacy, Art three years, given by Ilion Travelers Club, $10;
Norma Rose, homemaking three years, given by Herkimer County food service association, $5;
Norma Smith, VFW Auxiliary Post 502 prize for progress, $20;
Marshall Hardy, VFW Post 502 prize for progress, $20;
Joanne Urtz, the Diane Monteau memorial prize for cooperation and attitude, $10;
Helen Coons, Robert Bouton, Police Benevolent Association award, based on individual effort and perseverance, $10 girl and $10 boy.
Sammon announced that other organizations which have given sums of money used for awards at discretion of the principal and awards committee were: Remington Arms Co., $25; Oneida National Bank, $45; Marine Midland Bank, $10; Ilion Elks Club, Philia Charity Sorority, Ilion Savings and Loan, Knights of Columbus, each $10; Masonic Lodge, $5.
Diplomas were awarded by Dr. James S. Anderson, school board president, and Schools Supt. George E. Anderson, as follows:
David L. Abeling,
Richard W. Albin,
Sandra L. Arno,
Sharon A. Bachorik,
Suzanne M. Backman,
Robert P. Barham III,
Frederick L. Barker II,
Adeline Bergin,
Ann Mae Blowers,
Robert W. Bluett,
Ronald J. Bluett.
Also,
Donald Bly,
Diane G. Bottini,
Patricia Bouck,
Joseph J. Boulia, Jr.,
Robert E. Bouchton, Jr.,
Suzanne Viola M. Bracken,
Sharon L. Bradle,
Terry Braren,
David L. Brewer,
Gary R. Brewer,
Joseph Brown,
Kenneth R. Brown,
Linda M. Brown,
Nancy Carroll Brown,
Daniel J. Burling,
Melody Ann Cagwin,
Joseph R. Callahan, Jr.,
Frances M. Canning,
Bridget E. Carney,
Dale L. Casey,
Sharon L. Chambers,
Joseph D Collea, Jr.,
Helen L.Coons,
William F. Cornell,
Lauranne Cox.
Also,
Cynthia M. Cramer,
Justine L. Crandall,
David E. Crocker,
Karen A. Custer,
Jana Jo Danforth,
Linda Darling,
Charles F. Day,
Sherry D. DelGrego,
Robert M. DeMartine,
Allen E. Desmond,
Linda M. Disotelle,
Douglas Dodge,
Thomas P. Donahue,
Linda D. Drake,
Allan L. Dresner,
Elaine M. Duminy,
Dawn D. Egleston,
David F. Enjem II,
Dolores Everson,
Robert F. Failing,
Sheila J. Fancher,
James L. Farnham,
Mary L. Finnegan,
Linda Ann Fischer,
Carol L. Flathers.
Also,
Thomas E. Fort,
Nancy L. Fuller,
Gregory A. Garlock,
Elaine M. Getman,
Susan J. Getman,
Judith A. Gray,
Richard E. Greene,
Elaine V. Hall,
Bronwen F. Hamilton,
Marshall C. Hardy, Jr.,
Fred E Hartmann,
Robert G. Harney,
Daniel A. Haslauer,
Barbara H. Hoerner,
Kathleen M. Hoffman,
Joseph S. Hofstra,
Larry W. Hubbell,
Zita C. Humphrey,
Cynthia E. Jenne,
John L. Jewel,
Sandra L. Jones,
Jean Ellen Keddell,
Robert I. Klippel,
Linda M. Kroll.
Also,
Jane M. Lacy,
Carl J. Lane,
Richard LaPoint,
Grace LaPuma,
Stephen David Lasky,
Rae Ann Layaw,
Charles E. Leniek,
Miles G, Levine,
John W. Ludden,
Alan Macomber,
Richard E. Maury, Jr.,
Michael McCarthy,
Mary J. McGrath,
Daniel L. McGrellis,
Mohamed Hashim Makkawi,
Clifford S. Mead,
Susan E. Metz,
William R. Miles,
Kathleen Millar,
Beverly L. Miller,
Lorraine J. Miller,
Richard A. Moore,
Patricia A. Murray,
John L. Mutchler,
Herbert R. Nason,
Geoffrey C. Nehr.
Also,
William J. Newkirk,
Robert M. Noffer,
Nancy J. Parker,
Ronald D. Parshall,
Ruthann Parsons,
Gregory Lee Patrei,
Mark A. Paul,
Sharon L. Petavs,
Linda D. Pierce,
Carol J. Pozniak,
Mary K. Rapenske,
William Rathbun,
Joseph Raymond,
Marjorie R. Reid,
Guenther Reider,
Helen M. Reneau,
Owen R. Roberts, Jr.,
George L. Rolling III,
Norma Jeanne Rose,
Nancy Ann Rossi,
Annette M. Rota,
Patricia A. Runge,
Robert E. Ruazala.
Also,
Sandra L. Santmire,
Ronald M. Saunders,
Charleen A. Schierholtz,
Robert A. Schneider,
Penelope A. Seeley,
Colin E. Shepherd,
Patricia A. Sherman,
Joseph D. Short,
Michele A. Simmons,
Robert Small,
Norma J. Smith,
Donald J. Spedding,
David R. Sprague,
Daniel L. Spry,
Timothy R. Stalloch,
Charles J. Stephens,
Lester G. Stephens,
Jeff E. Stephenson,
Gerald R. Sterling,
Harold G. Stone,
Eileen M. Strait,
Arthur Stubbs,
Lorraine A. Sweet.
Also,
Eileen M. Taylor,
Paul Thomas,
Irving E. Truax,
Bradley B. Upson,
Joanne M. Urtz,
John S. Valent,
Donna M. Vandawalker,
Betty J. VanSickle,
Gerald R. Waldo,
Nancy Jean Walker,
Barbara J. Wardle,
James G. Watts,
James E. Webb,
Dennis J. Weiss,
Gale M. Wells,
Clark C. Whitney,
Diana G. Withington,
Peggy L. Wright.
The Ilion High School choir, under the direction of Mrs. Jasmine Poplaski, sang "The Words of David," and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Rev. Gregory Mulhall, of Annunciation Church, gave the invocation and Rev. Carlton Van Ornum, Methodist pastor, the benediction.
