Ilion High School - Class of 1934

Diplomas Given, Prizes Awarded Pupils At Ilion

The Utica Daily Press, June 27, 1934

Article 6

Diplomas Given, Prizes Awarded Pupils At Ilion

Novel Program Includes Talks; One Act Play, Tableaux

Debate Is Also Presented

Virginia Casey Presented Cup for Forensic Work

Ilion - The class of 1934, Ilion High School, comprising 97 members, received diplomas at the annual graduation exercises held in the Capitol Theater Tuesday night.

The novel graduation program was opened with the entrance of the members of the class to the processional number. "Noblilty," Sir Arthur Sullivan, by the high school orchestra.

Elizabeth Wasmer, salutatorian of the graduating class, spoke on "Meeting the Needs of the right School Pupils Through the Academic Curriculum in 1934." During her talk tableaus dealing with various school courses were shown.

Joseph Leese's talk on "Education Through Extra-Curricular Activities" was similarly illustrated.

An unusual number was a talk on "The Art of Trumpet Playing" by Margaret Fay, who interspaced her descriptive talk with selections. The A Cappella Choir sang "Lo, God Is Here."

A one-art play, "The Maid of France," was presented by Naomi Congdon, Helen Bedworth, Robert Wachtman, Horace Hendrix and Fred Schremp.

Another feature will be in the form of a debate on the proposition: "Resolved, That Democracy Is Losing Ground to Dictatorship in the United States as a Whole." The two team captains of the high school debating teams which made such a fine record last winter will had the affirmative and negative sides.

Diplomas will be presented by Mrs. Everett Mack, president of the Board of Education, and Earl P. Watkin, superintendent of schools.

Debate Heard

Another feature was a debate on the proposition: "Resolved, That Democracy Is Losing Ground to Dictatorship in the United States as a Whole." Virginia Casev took the affirmative side of the question and Florence Singer the negative. Louise Plunkett gave the valedictory.

Awards of prizes was made by Prindle J. G. Prindle as follows: Cash prizes of $5 were given for first and $2.50 were given for second to seniors in the following subjects:

English, first Florence Singer; second, Louise Plunkett, mathematics, first, Horace Hendrix; second, Robert Wachtman; history, first, Geraldine Jefts; second, Faith Young; language, first, Louise Plunkett, second, Florence Singer; science, first, Robert Wachtman, second, Joseph Leese; commercial, first, Naomi Congdon, second, Mary Van Alstine.

Virginia Casey received a debating cup for being the best debater. A debate plaque was given for the most service to debating to Elizabeth Wasmer. The R. P. I. medal for mathematics and science went to Robert Wachtman and Marjorie Duna received $3 for fourth prize in the League of Nations National Contest.

The Stone & Luke Scholarship Cup went to the class of 1934 and the Lever Cup went to Edward Morris. In the American Legion Auxiliary poster contest of Herkimer County, first place went to Lester Waters and second place to Chris Lawless.

A cash prize of $2.50 were given to the following: Chris Lawless for art; Inez Crocker and Bradford Cole for music; John Fitzer for industrial arts, Faith Young, home economics; Naomi Congdon, American history by American Legion Auxiliary; Lois Clair, Dramatics by Herkimer county Council Jewish Women.

Presented "I's"

Those winning honor "I's" were: Post graduates, Roderick Currier and Edward Manion; members of 1934, Emma Carr, Virginia Casey, Lester Waters, Hayden Williams, Lee Luther and Elizabeth Wasmer; members of 1935, Catherine English, Paul Kinney and Matt Willliams. Cash donations were made by : Ilion National Bank, Building & Loan Association, Remington Arms, Manufacturers Bank, Ilion Lodge of the Elks, Knights of Columbus, Ilion Masonic Lodge and Ilion Lodge of Odd Fellows.

The presentation of diplomas was made by Mrs. Everett Mack, president of the Board of Education, and Earl P. Watkin, superintendent of schools. Deal L. R. Benson gave the invocation and benediction.