Awards Mark Graduation of Class at Ilion High

Ilion - Joyce Chismore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Chismore and valedictorian of the Ilion High School graduation class, was awarded seven prizes at commencement exercises Tuesday in the Capitol Theatre.

Miss Chismore, who had a three and a half year scholastic average of 95.47, won first prize in English, mathematics, modern language, science, American history, the RPI Bausch & Lomb medals.

Major James E. McDaniell, '27, senior chaplain at Rhoads Hospital and youngest of his rank in the Army, traced the history of the United States to show that its democracy was not an accident.

Democracy No Gift

"Democracy is not a gift," he said, "it is a purchase. Every generation has the responsibility of keeping democracy alive."

"This country did not happen by blood, sweat, toil and tears. Immigration brought us new ideas and manpower. We must make sure that the nations of the world will get along with each other."

"To you boys in this class who will soon enter the service, I say, love your country, respect it, and be willing to die for it."

Members of the graduating class presented a play, "Retreat in Washington," against a backdrop of the Lincoln Memorial painted by Robert VanSteinburg, assisted by Lillian Farley, Ruth Piper, Betty Hitchcock, Dolores Fragale and Barbara Schwartz under the supervision of Miss Veronica Donnelly, art supervisor. The cast included Edward McKenna,

Eleanor Nuese, Ernest Woolver, Margaret Mullen, Allan Murray, Joanna Lindstrom, Roy Edick, Bruce Scouten, and choir members.

Honor Students Speak

The Rev. James A. Nolen gave invocation and benediction. Jean Lyron, salutatorian, spoke on "Our Outlook as Wartime Graduates," and Miss Chismore gave the valedictory address on "The Challenge of Science."

The high school orchestra and varsity choir performed under direction of Frederic Fay Swift and Catherine Bailey was soloist in "There Are Such Things;" a special request by the late Lt. William Momberger.

Hamilton Fay, president of the Board of Education, and Earl P. Watkin, school superintendent, presented the diplomas.

Prizes awarded by J. Guy Prindle, principal, were: English, Joyce Chismore and Margaret Mullen; mathematics, Joyce Chismore and June Ellen Murray; history, Cornelia Nagel Price, award, Thelma Preston and Jean Lyon, Latin. Donna Smith and Margaret Mullen; modern language, Joyce Chismore and Jean Lyon; science, Joyce Chismore and Donna Smith; commercial, Florence Cashman and Doris Seymour; industrial arts, Raymond Johnson and Kenneth Raasch; music, Theodore Ronsvalle.

Other Awards Made

Art, Ethel Taylor and Lillian Parley; home economics, Lillian Parley; shorthand and transcription, Mary Dayton; Mechanical drawing, Raymond Johnson; American history, Joyce Chismore; preflight, in memory of Lt. William Momberger, Roger Hunt; dramatics, Dorothy Fay.

RPI Medal for mathematics and, science, Joyce Chismore; Baulch & Lomb Medal, science Joyce Chismore; Robert Kent Memorial Plaque, Virginia Ashley; Becker College Commercial Pin, Florence Cashman; Lever Cup, John Hilliard, and Ralph A. Peters' Prize given in memory of Madeline Buley Peters, Donna Smith and Roy Edick.

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