Ilion High School - Class of 1878

Ilion Sentinel - June 26, 1952

Ilion Alumni Pay Tribute to Graduate of 1878

Article 1

Ilion Alumni Pay Tribute to Graduate of 1878

Ilion - Marion Irlam Hakes, 92, of the class of 1878 of Ilion High School, last night was the honored guest at the Alumni dinner in the High School auditorium and was presented a bouquet by Miss Jean Seibert, class of 1952.

The occasion marked the 71st annual meeting and the honored guest was present at the first organization meeting June, 1883. Also present with Mrs. Hakes were her three living daughters, all alumnae of Ilion High.

They were Elizabeth Hakes, 1911; Jane Hakes Dale, 1912 and Marion Hakes Herron, 1906. Another daughter, Ruth Hakes, deceased, was also a graduate of the Class of 1906.

Officers Elected

William S. Jones, 1928, was elected president succeeding Ernest Sitts. Others named were first vice president, Matt Williams, 1935, second vice president, William Youngs, 1952; secretary, Miss Marjory Francis, 1928; treasurer, Peter Cranney, 1938, and necrologist, Mrs. Antoinette Gnatt, 1904.

More than 200 were present and other older members introduced were Sam Allston, 1888; Col. William Merry, 1893; Mary Osterhout Brown, 1892, Margaret Merry Smith and Mary Butler Fitzpatrick, 1902.

William Young and Miss Seibert, both children of members of the Class of 1927, were present and Young gave the response for his class Young announced gifts from the 1952 class with $200 to the John Guy Prindle Fund and a movie projector to the school.

Dr. Earl P. Watkin, superintendent of schools, spoke briefly in praise of the Memorial fund, originally sponsored by the Parent Teacher Association, to help students gain higher education.

To date the Prindle Memorial fund has reached $2000 and one request has been made this year. Thirteen persons have been assisted since the idea was born.

Joseph Baker, principal, told the group he was "not filling the post left by John Guy Prindle, but doing his best to uphold the traditions of Ilion High." He praised the graduating class as being able to "stack up against the 1927 class."

Presented Trophy

Another speaker, Bentley Williams, head of the Centennial Committee was presented a trophy reading, "In Record of Your Perseverance."

Williams received his diploma with the class of 1912 and although he is not regarded as a member of any particular group should be a member of the 1911 class.

Attorney Thomas Morris headed the nominating committee. Banquet committee comprised Sitts chairman; Dr. Theodore Carney, Peter Cranney, Miss Mary Derby, Kenneth Tillinghast, William Young.

Dinner was prepared by Mrs. Minnie Dinga, cateress and served by members of Violet Rebekah Lodge under the direction of Mrs. Jennie Hardy, noble grand. Miss Gladys Cone had charge of decorations; Mrs. Gantt read the necrologist's report.