UPON THE SEA OF LIFE Commencement 1917
The Close of School Year Marked By Interesting Exercises
The Baccalaureate sermon Sunday evening 24th inst., gathered a large congregation at the Baptist church, Rev. Wm. Barnfather who delivered the Baccalaureate sermon, being assisted in the srevices by Rev. O. T. Fletcher and Rev. A.D. Finch.
Patriotic colors, ferns and flowers lent cheer to the occasion and the special musical program by the young people's choir was very gratifying. The choir anthem "Glory, Praise and Honor" was well rendered and the solo by the leader, Miss Helen Todd, "My Task," was very well appreciated by the large congregation. The members of the choir are Miss Louise VanTassell, Mrs. Snow, Mrs. Mary Ruland, Mrs. LaSuer, Mr. Willard Ruland, Mr. Homer King, Miss Mildred Grey, Mr. W.A. Stevens, Mr. W.I. Florence and Miss Helen M. Todd; Miss Marion Shutts, pianist.
Thirteen members of the graduating class out of a total of seventeen were present; the who were unable to attend were Alvin Newton, Clara Smith, Florence Smith, and Elma Newton. The graduates occupied a reserved section in front of the altar. In his charge to the Class, the pastor gave admonition which should be heeded through life. "Be resolute, aim high. Do not falter. Be strong. The crying need of the world today is an increase of consecrated man power. For men who are just and who can do will dare. Fields are waiting for you; places in which you and you alone, can thus serve humanity and contribute to the common good."
Brilliant Commencement
The Weather Clerk, Tuesday, 26th., night of the Commencement in Assembly Hall, must have had a quarrel with Jupiter and the whole bunch of old style celestials. He evidently intended to spoil our S.H.S. Commencement but he has another guess coming, although it proved a very narrow escape. It looked awhile as if Commencement would never commence and the exercises began long after 9 o'clock p.m.
At 7 p.m. came a darkness of Egypt with a wind gauge at 60 miles and rain that poured in cascades. Dazzling forks of lightning sizzled through jet banks of clouds, while the thunder man crashed and banged on the biggest drum of the orchestra. It looked as though the audience would have to swim to reach Assembly Hall at 8 p.m. The 1917 Class Motto is "To-Night we Launch, Where Shall we Anchor?" By 9 o'clock it looked as if the Class would be ready to launch and anchor in any old port.
But within, how different the scene. Never at any Commencement was the stage more beautiful in its dainty scheme of graceful, arching ferns in the background, illuminated with lemon lilies and tender shoots of spruce of varying green in the foreground. The scenic effect was complete as the graduates appeared in this bower of vernal beauty to deliver their program of addresses, essays, orations and responses, together with officials for the occasion. The program was published last week, each part was well sustained, from orchestra to benediction. It proved a highly successful Commencement, one that redounds high credit to the Faculty, Board of Education and Class of 1917. A feature of surprising interest came at the close of the essay " The History of our Flag" by Miss Lena Cole, when Howard Beagle came forward with an American Flag and the orchestra played "The Star Spangled Banner." It was a moment of thrilling enthusiasm. The Class officers were Charles Aussiker, Pres.; Perle Baker, Vice-Pres.; Agnes Phelps, Sec'y-Treasurer.
The Prize Winners
Supervising Principal Preston distributed the prizes and the audience cordially applauded the winners, relatives, friends and all present realizing that the winners had done splendid school work. The Philologian prizes for best work in Freshman and Sophomore years were won, first prize $10 gold, Harold Pruyn; $5 gold, William Phelps. The Delta Gamma prizes for the best marks first, second, and third years, first prize $10 gold, won by Rosalin Melnick; second prize Bernice Simpson, and Marie Cole, Honorable mention. School prizes for the best work in four years, Gladys Hilborn won first, $10 in gold; Perle Baker, second prize, $5 gold; Harold MCarty, Honorable Mention. Rose Melnick, 92.5, $8.50, won the school Census prize.
The New Faculty
The following Sidney High School Faculty to serve during the coming school year of 1917-18:
Herbert Preston, A.B. Ph. B. Syracuse, Columbia, Supervising Principle.
Mary L. Pitkin, A.B. Albany State College, Mathematics and Science.
Alice E. Russell, A.B. Vassar, History and English.
Abbie Quackenbush, A.B. Syracuse. English and Latin.
Gertrude R. Roessle, B.S. Elmira, German and Science.
Nellie O. Smith, Ph. B. Syracuse, Music and Drawing
Mary D. Knoeller, B.O. Williams School of Expression and Physical Culture, Physical Training and Elocution
Arthur K Deane, Plattsburg Normal, Commercial Subjects.
Grade Schools
Catherine Goodrich, Oneanta Normal, Eighth Grade.
Calla L. King, Oneanta Normal, Seventh Grade.
Georgianna Seymour, Oneanta Normal, Sixth Grade.
Adelia Root, Oneanta Normal, Fifth Grade.
Sarah C. Griffiths, Cortland Normal, Fourth Grade.
Ella L. Parker, Oneanta Normal, Third Grade.
Gladys L. Hyatt, Oneanta Normal, Second Grade.
Margeurite France, Oneanta Normal, First Grade.
Grace A. Wood, Oneanta Normal, Primary.
Special Teachers in Grades
Calla L. King, Oneanta Normal, Librarian.
Gertrude Peck, Oneanta Normal, Assistant in Grades.
Nellie Smith, Syracuse University, Music and Drawing.
Mary D. Knoeller, B.O. Williams School of Expression and Physical Culture, Physical Training.
The Fall term of school will open September 4th.
Notes: I am not sure what paper this is from. Only "Record" is left at the top of the clipping to identify it. UPDATE: The paper is probably the Sidney Record based on things found deeper into the diary.
I did not transcribe it, but also included in the scan of the page is the story of Thomas B. Carpenter who was hit and killed by a train in Unadilla.
The back of the scanned page hold nothing of interest, ads and standard filler, and an article on how pain is "our friend." Nthing of local interest.
No comments:
Post a Comment