Ilion High School - Class of 1896

Ilion Citizen - June 26, 1896

The Class of '96

Some Interesting Facts About the Class

The Class of '96

Some Interesting Facts About the Class - Graduating Exercises June 23

Tuesday evening, June 23, the class of '96 will graduate from our academy. The class will probably number fourteen, seven boys and seven girls. The standard of graduation has been raised from fifty counts to sixty-two. Six boys and five girls have already reached the standard, three expect to complete requirements in June. Sixty-two counts means this: For every subject in which a pupil has passed 75 per cent, or more in Regents' examination he receives from one to four counts, according as the subject is a ten, twenty or forty week subject. Average work should result in getting 12 counts every year, or the pupil should pass 75 per cent or more in six subjects or their equivalent. So that a pupil having obtained 62 counts has done the equivalent of passing 75 per cent, or more in 31 subjects. The subjects include penmanship, spelling, the other common branches and such other academic branches as the pupils may choose to study.

The class of '96 easily surpasses any of its predecessors in scholarship. No class, since 1889, at least, has covered so much ground. The valedictorian, Helen R. McCann, has already 86 points and expects to graduate with 90. The salutatorian, Jessie Skinner, besides doing training class work for the past year, has 70 counts and expects to graduate with 74. Marcella Foley already has 72 and expects to have 81; Paul Jones now has 74 and expects to get 84; Albert Russell has at present 71 but hopes to have 79, Ralph Gough is credited with 74 counts and intends to have 78, Nellie Maury who has 72 will have 76. She has also done training class work for the past year. Harry Green may have 75. Of course, no one will have fewer than 62 counts and all excepting two will have more than 62. If each one secures all the points expected the average of the class will be 73 counts. This is as good as can be given in figures. The judges having the graduating essays and orations under examination speak very highly of the literary talent of the class.

It is expected that the graduating exercises will be of a character harmonious with the high standing in scholarship and literary merits. It is furthermore hoped that the position each one will take in practical life will be as high as it has been in school.