Ilion High School - Class of 1959

Herkimer Evening Telegram - June 24, 1959

107 Ilion Students Presented Diplomas

Article 1

AT ILION COMMENCEMENT- Principals at the Ilion High School Commencement exercises last night in the Capitol Theater are shown from the left, Rev Daniel A. Horan, pastor of the Church of Annunciation, who gave the benediction; Lorita Keddell, salutatorian; Robert H. Hall, high school principal; Dr. J. Murdoch Dawley, chairman of the social studies department at Fredonia State Teachers College and principal speaker; George Purple, superintendent of the Ilion school system; Margaret Wood, valedictorian. (Staff Photo)

107 Ilion Students Presented Diplomas

ILION - The 1959 Commencement of the Ilion High School last night featured a talk by Dr. J. Murdoch Dawley, award of around $2,300 in cash prizes and scholarships and presentation of diplomas to 107 graduates.

Held in the Capitol Theater, Dr. Dawley, head of the social studies department at Fredonia State Teachers College and a former professor of Robert H. Hall, high school principal, spoke on the topic, "What Is Your Life Expectancy."

Opening with a selection, "Overture To A Good Daughter," by Piccini, the Ilion High School Band directed by Robert Weller also played "The Theme From Pomp and Circumstance" by Elgar.

Lorita Keddell, salutatorian, offered "Reflections," and Margaret Louise Wood, valedictorian, offered "Courage To Be Ourselves."

The Ilion High School Orpheus Choir directed by Arthur Dauten, presented three selections, "O Brother Man," by Ringwald; "You'll Never Walk Alone," by Rodgers, and "Halls Of Ivy," by Russell-Knight.

This was followed by the award of prizes by Robert H. Hall, high school principal, presentation of diplomas by Robert F. Kerr, president of the Board of Education, and George Purple, superintendent of schools.

The Orpheus Club, orchestra and audience joined in singing the Alma Mater. Invocation was offered by Rev. Robert Withington, rector of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church and benediction by Rev. Daniel A. Horan, pastor of the Church of the Annunciation.

Presents Awards

Robert H. Hall, principal, made the following awards:

English four years, prize offered by the Loretta Douglas Memorial, first, $10, Mary Louise Wood; second, $5, Lorita Keddell, Mathematics, four years, first, $10, Lorita Keddell; second, $5, James Mullen.

History, three years (Cornelia Nagel Prize), $5, Margaret Wood; American History, 11th year, DAR, $5, James Mullen based on his regents as well as class average; Latin, three years, first, $10, Lora Lynn Purple; second, $5, Margaret Wood.

Spanish, three years, $5, Norma Roberts; French, three years, $5 Lorita Keddell; John Guy Prindle Memorial in Science, first, $10 and the Bausch and Lomb Medal Ronald Brown; second, $5, James Mullen; Proficiency in Shorthand, two years, and transcription, $5, Lora Purple.

Office practice, two years, and typing, $5, Margaret LaMondie; Industrial Arts and Vocational Shop, three years, $5, Bernard Stanley; Mechanical Drawing, $5, Russell Deller; Art, three years, $5, Arlene Burns; Homemaking, three years, $5, Jean Bennett.

Mathematics and Science, six and one half units, first, $10, James Mullen; second, $5, Ronald Brown; Speech Arts, $5, Donna Day; Civil Service Competition, first, $10, Lora Purple; second, $5, Karen Barrett; Earl Parry Watkin Memorial to the valedictorian, $20, Margaret Wood.

Veterans of Foreign Wars for the salutatorian, $20, Lorita Keddell; Priscilla Burham Memorial for piano, $10, Robert Drumm; Robert Kent Memorial (music) $5, Donna Day; general participation in music, $5. Sandra Costello.

The V. F. W. Auxiliary prize for progress, $10 each to Bernard Stanley and Joan Selwood; Diane Monteau award for cooperation and attitude, $10, Gloria Logar; Women of the Moose Nursing award, $10, Gloria Logar.

National Honor Society, $35 each to Edward Vernooy and Linda Kornbrust; Advancement in Leadership offered by the Zonta Club, $10, Pamela Barnes; Senior Class president, $10, Donald Beach.

Scholarships

Scholarships as follows:

Earl Parry Watkin of $200 for a student entering the teaching profession (a one year grant), Mary Ann Grygiel; Floyd and Elma Clayton Memorial presented by the family for a student planning higher education in mathematics or science, a one year grant, $200, James Mullen.

I. Clarke Seaman Memorial to a student entering Syracuse University or Utica College for one year, $300, Linda Kornbrust; Ilion National Bank for the student who continues his education for at least two years, $500, Edward Vernooy.

Cherry-Burrlll, $100 on a one year basis to Sandra Costello; the Priscilla Burnham All-Around Girl Trophy, Lora Purple; Lever Cup, Robert Smithson.

For the first time in school history New York State Regents Diplomas were received in time to be presented at graduation with 51 pupils receiving them.

Those students who maintained a regents average of 90 percent or over received diplomas marked "With Honor"

Lorita Keddell,
Patricia Ann Morris
and Margaret
Louise Wood
were so honored.

Regents diplomas marked "Scientific" designated the student had completed elementary Algebra, Math 10, Math 11 plus General Science 9 and any three of four subjects, Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry and Physics.

Honored with this designation on the regents diplomas were

Donald Beach,
Ronald Brown,
Russell Deller,
Richard Friis,
Nancy Jordan,
Maureen Mason,
Elaine Pelletier.

Other students receiving regents diplomas were:

Pamela Barnes,
Karen Barrett,
Rodney Billings,
Susan Blowers,
Nancy Clark,
Sharron Clive,
Barbara Conley,
Catherine Connors,
James Conover,
Sandra Costello,
Donna Day,
Ruth Dodge,
Mary Jane Foisy.

Karen Goeger,
Carolyn Greene,
Mary Ann Grygiel,
Michael Hamilton,
Owen Humphrey,
Beverly Kelly,
Jean Kennell,
Carolyn King,
Paul Lacey,
Robert Ladd,
Janet Lewicki,
Jean Loftis,
Gloria Logar.

Thomas Lynch,
Maurice Monteau,
James Mullen,
Mary Palmer,
Patricia Pendergrass,
Virginia Pierce,
Lora Lynne Purple,
Chardel Raux,
Norma Jean Roberts,
Christine Wanda Runyon,
Karen Smith,
Stanley Thompson,
Ann Tillinghast,
Edward Vernooy
and
Jerome White.

High School diplomas were presented:

Carol Austin,
Corrine Bean,
Jeannie Bennett,
Ralph Bottini,
Diane Bouck,
Louiae Boyle,
Elizabeth Briest,
Arlene Bums,
Richard Castle,
Selena Cook,
Anthony Coriale,
Gerald Daly,
Bradford Darrow.

Robert Drumm,
Lois Emrich,
Howard Fink,
Elizabeth Geer,
Barbara Geloso,
Frank Geloso,
Carol Geragi,
Caroline Golicki,
George Gushue,
Spencer Hall,
Ronald Hart,
Barbara Hitchcock,
Elaine Hovey,
Thomas Jackson.

Linda Kornbrust,
Margaret LaMondie,
Bernard Leach,
Kathleen Mackln,
Barbara MacNeill,
Mayme Maneen,
Lawrence Meays,
Frank Nasutovlcz,
Sally Noffer,
Shevaun O'Toole,
Frederick Pashke,
Thomas Paaek,
Carol Peak.

Patricia Reese,
Floyd Rose,
Letha Rogers,
Charles Schmitt,
Beverly Jean Schonborg,
Joan Selwood,
Patricia Seymour,
William Slaughter,
George Smith,
Robert Smithson,
Myrtle Spencer,
Bernard Stanley,
Beverly Tennant,
Jean Vandawalker,
Linda Vogel,
Ned Young.