Ilion High School - Class of 1912

The Ilion News - June 27, 1912

COMMENCEMENT AT ILION

Article 2

The Graduates Made a Fine Appearance, the Program Was Rendered with Ability and All the Exercises Gave Much Satisfaction - Address by the Superintendent.

The Ilion High School commencement is a thing of the past. One of the largest classes in the history of the school Tuesday evening. Preceding the graduation exercises a reception was given by the members of the senior class to the faculty and the junior class Friday night at Harter's Hall. The reception was given by the seniors as a farewell to those with whom they have been closely associated during their school years and the affair will long be remembered by those who so thoroughly enjoyed it. Excellent music was furnished by an orchestra under the direction of Miss Dema Perkins.

Preceding the graduation exercises a reception was given by the members of the senior class to the faculty and the junior class Friday night at Harter's Hall. The reception was given by the seniors as a farewell to those with whom they have been closely associated during their school years and the affair will long be remembered by those who so thoroughly enjoyed it. Excellent music was furnished by an orchestra under the direction of Miss Dema Perkins.

Union service was held at the M. E. Church Sunday evening. A large congregation was present, also the members of the senior class, who listened to a most instructive sermon preached by Rec. C. W. French, pastor of the Presbyterian Church.

COMMENCEMENT

Tuesday night the senior class appeared before their parents and friends in the crowning event of their school life, having though long school years followed their class motto, "Virtute et Labore" until they had reached the parting of the ways and a t the commencement exercises that evening bade adieu to the pleasant associations of the school, and entered into a new era of life, where the paths, which have been so close, will separate and each one will workout his own future.

The theatre presented a pretty appearance, as the handiwork of the class and the obliging juniors was shown in the tasteful decorations of ferns, daisies, and buttercups, and in front of the stage were large bouquets of peonies and buttercups. Through the decorations could be discerned the class colors of light blue and gold. The hall was crowded and at promptly 8 o'clock the orchestra under the direction of Miss Dema Perkins played an overture.

As the curtain rose it showed the class of 21 young ladies and 9 young men occupying the right of the stage, and the members of the faculty, the Board of Education on the left, and Rev. E. B. Topping and Rev. A. S, Brown.

Superintendent H. M. Schwartz introduced Rev. E. B. Topping, the new pastor of the M. E. Church, who invoked the divine blessing. He was followed by the speakers of the evening.

At the close of the oratorical portion of the program. Superintendent Harwood M. Schwartz addressed the members of the class and gave them much practical advice, urging them to work for success, not as a class but as individuals, and to be workers with posh and power back of them, and not content to be wishers and to be able to do the right thing and stand up for what is right because they know it is right.

Mr. Schwartz announced that the first honors of the-class were won by Miss Helen Hall with an average of 92.4, and Lyle Bushnell was awarded second honors with an average of 90. The class average was 81.7. Also that Miss Elsie Whitney had won the D. A. R. prize of $5, her subject being "Marion and His Men."

The president of the Board of Education, A. D. Richardson, congratulated the class and presented them with their diplomas as follow:

Commencement

The Grand Theater was crowded Wednesday evening with relatives and friends of the thirty students who have completed the academic course of the Ilion High School. The stage of the theatre presented a pretty appearance and showed much artistic skill on the part of the Juniors in arranging the flower decorations of ferns, daisies, and buttercups so as to harmonize so beautifully with the class colors, blue and gold.

As the curtain rose it showed the class of 21 young ladies and nine young men occupying the right of the stage, and the members of the faculty, the Board of Education on the left, and Rev. E. B. Topping and Rev. A. S. Brown.

Superintendent H. M. Schwartz introduced Rev. E. B. Topping who invoked the divine blessing. He was followed by the speakers of the evening as follows: Essay "Modern Chivalry," Helen Annie Hall; essay, "The Summer Camp," Ethel Cora Bach; music; essay, "The Beneficial Influence of the Theater," Marie Kathleen Coughlin; essay, "The Place of the Kindergarten," Gertrude Rosalind Smaltz; music; essay, "Public Play Grounds," Helen Hoffman Walrath; oration, "Government by Commission," Lyle Kirkland Bushnell; music.

Owing to illness Miss O'Brien was excused from speaking. Each speaker handled his or her subject in a most concise and interesting manner, and their delivery was excellent, receiving the hearty applause of their friends.

At the close of the oratorical portion of the program, Superintendent Harwood M. Schwartz addressed the members of the class and gave them much practical advice, urging them to work for success, not as a class but as individuals, and to be workers with push and power back of them to be able to do the right thing and stand up for what is right because they know it is right and not content to be wishers.

Mr. Schwartz announced that the first honors of the class were won by Miss Helen Hall with an average o f92.4 and Lyle Bushnell was awarded school honors with average of 90. The class average was 81.7. Also that Miss Elsie Whitney had won the D. A. R. prize of $5, her subject being "Marion and His Men."

The president of the Board of Education congratulated the class and presented them with their diplomas in the following order:

Candidates for Classical Diploma

Ethel Cora Bach
Isabell Hubbel Burke
Lyle Kirkland Bushnell
Annette Truman Chattaway
Frances Marion Getman
Jane Qualtrough Hakes
Helen Annie Hall
Fannie Melissa Harter
Floyd Clinton Lewis
Marguerite Fox Lewis
Kathleen Jane O'Brian
Arleigh Dygert Richardson Jr.
Virginia Ross
Gertrude Rosalind Smaltz
Helen Marguerita VanAlstyne
Helen Hoffman Walrath
Leroy Bentley Williams

Candidates for Scientific Diploma

Harry Francis Haller

Candidates for English Diplomas

Marie Kathleen Coughlin
Ruth Janet Ferguson
Ellen Foothorape
Margaret Sophia Hamilton
Sara Jane Ingersoll
Gladys Maude Roberts

Candidates for Elective Diplomas

Volney M. Becker
Elsie Marguerite Butterworth
Anna Cecelia Cronkhite
Ward Goodwin Gordon
Edgar Gale Hamlin
Ralph Lucy

The benediction was pronounced by Rev. A. S. Brown.

At the conclusion of the exercises class yells were given, and the members of the class received the congratulations of their friends. The evening was warm but the theatre was cool, and the exercises were devoid of the unpleasantness which has been caused by the under classes in previous years.

Alumni Meeting

The closing event of the commencement week took place at Harter's hall last. Evening, where the alumni of the Ilion High School gathered in large numbers and there renewed the acquaintance of their classmates and enjoyed a pleasant time.

At the business meeting the following officers were elected: President, Leo H. Powers; first vice-president, Rome Worden; second vice-president, Josephine Parker; third vice-president, Ellen Foothorape; secretary and treasurer, Floyd Avery.

Miss Rae Russell reported that the class of 1894 had subscribed $25 to apply on decorating the new high school. This money will be duplicated by the state.