Ilion High School - Class of 1900

Ilion Citizen - June 22, 1900

GRADUATING EXERCISES

OF THE CLASS OF 1900

ILION HIGH SCHOOL

Article 1

Baccalaureate Sermon Class Evening and Commencement Exercises - Honor Roll - Regent Pupils

Commencement week of the class of 1900, Ilion High School, was most aptly and appropriately ushered in, when, at the Presbyterian church Sunday evening the annual baccalaureate sermon was given by the pastor. Rev. W. C. Taylor. The church was filled to its full capacity, many being obliged to seek seats in the adjoining Sunday school rooms. The church had been tastefully trimmed for the occasion with a profusion of flowers, while the class colors, purple and white, were gracefully festooned over the center front pew. The class, faculty and board of education were assigned to seats reserved near the front. Under the efficient direction of the chorister, Miss Adela VanGumster with Mrs. H. W. Ingalls presiding at the organ, the following fine special musical program was rendered:

Quartette, "Te Deum,'' Woodward; soprano, Miss Elizabeth Jones; alto, Miss Elizabeth Munger, Herkimer; tenor, Arleigh D. Richardson; basso, John G. Harris; duet, "In the Cross of Christ I Glory," Howe, Mrs. F. VanAlstyne and Chas. S. Youngs; solo, "Crossing the Bar,"Buck, John G. Harris; quartette,"Abide with Me."

The sermon was an able and eloquent one and held the closest attention of the large audience to the close. A large part of the discourse is given on page two of this issue of the Citizen.

CLASS EVENING.

Monday evening at the opera house a large and representative audience of Ilion's most intelligent people greeted the class of 1900, the house hardly being of sufficient capacity to accommodate all who assembled to witness the class day exercises. The stage was beautifully decorated by the class of 1901 with greens, field flowers, potted plants and ferns, presenting a most attractive appearance. Thrown above the stage was a graceful suspended arch upon which appeared in the class colors, purple and white, the words, "19-Fidelitas-00."

While the large audience was assembling, Phoenix orchestra gave several selections and during the evening interspersed the program with fine music.

At 8 o'clock the class of 1900, composed of the following young ladies and gentlemen, took seats on the stage:

Marguerite B. Armstrong,
Lillian A. Arnold,
Cornelia E. Bassett,
George C. Berry,
Ross D. Helmer,
Elizabeth Lewis,
Bertina Lutz,
Edwin C. Pelton,
Thomas Reed Quaife,
Nettie A. Remington,
Edward Ringwood,
Marjorie Squire,
William C. Stickles,
Marjorie Van Deusen,
N. Frances Weller,
Albion M. Wendell,
Bertram E Whitmore.

The class of 1901 occupied seats in the gallery.

After prayer by Rev. A. C. Loucks, and a selection by the orchestra, Ross Helmer, president of the class, delivered the president's address, taking for his subject. "Commerce, a Factor in Civilization."

Mr. Helmer portrayed in a lucid manner the immense strides with which the commercial countries had taken commanding positions in the world, and that nations with great commercial advantages are the most advanced and prosperous. The advancement of commerce means the promotion of civilization. The president's address was warmly applauded.

Thomas R. Quaife followed Mr. Helmer, in a declamation given in good style, on the "new South." Mr. Quaife spoke deliberately, holding the close attention of the audience. Mr. Quaife's effort was well received.

After a cornet sole by Harry Phoenix, of the orchestra, Miss Nellie Weller, class historian, gave an interesting essay, "A Retrospect," in which she pleasantly and effectively touched upon all the leading events in the history of the class. Miss Weller is a graceful speaker, easily winning the approval of her hearers.

George Berry chose for his theme, "The American Indian as Depicted by Cooper." The speaker drew a carefully considered comparison between the real Indian as known to history and the Indian of the Leather Stocking Tales. Quite to the depreciation of the latter, his effort was awarded by applause.

After a selection by the orchestra, Bertina Lutz gave in a spirited manner a recitation, "A Coast and a Capture," humorously depicting the adventures of a heroine who dons her brother's attire for a moonlight spin her pursuits and capture. The recitation afforded much amusement, and Miss Lutz's effort was warmly applauded.

The class orator, Bertram Whitmore, selected as the subject of the class oration, the "The Roberts Case," which he handled in an able manner, giving an outline history of Mormonism in America and appealing to the country to maintain at all times a high moral standard. Mr. Whitmore's sentiments were loudly applauded.

Miss Cornelia Bassett, Class Prophet, was the last speaker of the evening, and in "A Glimpse of the Future," made a decided hit. The fair prophet depicted in an original and pleasing manner the life positions of the several members of the class, provoking much mirth among her classmates, while the happy allusions were evidently much enjoyed by the entire audience as well.

COMMENCEMENT EVENING.

On Tuesday evening occurred the commencement exercised when the audience at the opera house was perhaps larger than on the previous evening, every seat being taken. The arrangement of the stage and its decorations remained the same, while the delightful coolness of the weather made the temperature of the crowded hall quite agreeable.

The orchestra had been reinforced by several additional pieces, and the selections rendered were of a high order.

Seated upon the stage with the graduation class were Principal Abrams and corps of teachers, A. H. Summer and Dr. J. L. Rasbach of the board of education and resident clergymen. After a selection by the orchestra prayer was offered by Rev. E. F. Hard of the Baptist church.

Miss Marjorie Squire, who shared with Marguerite Armstrong the honor of salutatorian, was the first speaker of the evening, selecting as the theme of her oration, "Music as an element of education." The speaker stated that the history of every land shows music to be a potent factor in education. There are lands which have no art and no poetry but none which have no music. The Indian has his song of love, of war and of victory. Music is an innate force which acts on the senses and all hearts are touched by its melodies. It promotes discipline, order and concentration of thought and its study in the common schools should be more general. In the German Universities it is given a prominent place. Miss Squire's effort was a dignified and scholarly one and won marked applause.

An oration, the preparation of which evidently cost no small amount of diligent effort, was that given by Miss Marguerite Armstrong, who had for her subject, "Rebecca, a type of the Jewish woman." Rebecca the lovely character made immortal by Scotts' Ivanhoe, the speaker thought to be not an uncommon one among the Jewish people. Miss Armstrong manifested a high appreciation of her subject which she set forth in a charming manner and her effort may be classed among the best of the evening. The speaker received liberal applauses.

"The Pleasures of Country Life" was the subject chosen b Miss Nettie Remington as the theme of her oration. The beauties and attractions of nature were portrayed by the speaker in a most pleasing manner. We go, she said to the country and not to the city to study nature. It is there that poets and orators have found their inspiration. Among country people the simplicity of their lives is not without its effect upon character and among the rural population is found the best types of American citizens. Miss Remington who spoke in good voice and manner was made the recipient of the two fine bouquets, as well as a generous share of applause.

Edwin Pelton was the next speaker and he had for his subject, "Political Parties." The agencies for carrying out the behests and wishes of the people in this free and enlightened country are parties and leaders. New parties spring up in times of a crisis to deal with new questions and to settle issues of national importance and magnitude. Leaders should be chosen and not self constituted as is too frequently the case at the present day. Mr. Pelton's oration richly deserved the applause which came at its close.

Miss Lillian Arnold followed with a pleasing oration on "Our Society," giving a faithful account of the formation and history of the Beta Beta, a popular organization among the young ladies of the high school, speaking in growing terms of it plans and purposes, its social life, its meetings and its debates. Miss Arnold's effort was well received.

Albion Wendell who delivered an able oration on "American ideals and influence" was the next speaker. Mr. Wendell traced the origin of our present political liberty to English source and showed that in the distinctively American character there is fused and blended the best blood and brains of European races. The success of the struggle American independence speedily led other nations to demand and obtain a larger pleasure of political freedom. American ideas are constantly exerting a marked influence along commercial, intellectual and moral lines. The sentiments expressed by the speaker touching upon the question of expansion evidently met the approbation of the audience. Mr. Wendell is a forcible speaker and his effort was fully appreciated and called out warm expressions of approval.

"Should the Education of Women be different from that of Men," was the question upon which Miss Elizabeth Lewis founded a carefully prepared oration. In intellectual pursuits woman has proven herself well fitted to successfully compete with her brother and the many advantages of co-education, socially and morally, was clearly pointed out by the speaker. The claim that educated women might prefer public life to positions in the home is a fallacious one. A woman's heart and deep domestic instinct precludes all danger in that regard. Miss Lewis' effort was gracefully and fluently delivered, the speaker receiving well merited applause. Miss Lewis received a beautiful bouquet.

Miss Marjorie VanDeusen, to whom had been accorded the honor of valedictorian of the class, gave and excellent and carefully prepared oration on "Anglo Saxon Character." The Anglo Saxon has acquired and holds today a ruling position among the nations of the world, for the reason that from time most remote he has been animated by noble purposes. Being self reliant and liberty loving he has developed those elements of manly strength and virtue which have constituted him emphatically a dominant race. Loving liberty, he has dared to maintain it, and thus has created for us a glorious past. Let us foster and perpetuate in our thoughts and lives those noble traits and thus make purer and stronger the national character of our own beloved land. Miss Van Deusen's effort was scholarly in conception and delivered with ease and grace. Her oration called out from her hearers warm demonstrations of approval.

Following a select by the orchestra the graduation class arose and Prof. Abrams, principal of the school, after speaking some happily chosen and appropriate words of advice and congratulation, proceeded to present to each member the coveted diploma.

The benediction was pronounced by Rev. W. M. Cook of St. Augustine's church.

As the audience was dispersing, the class of 1900 indulged in their farewell yell, which was lustily responded to by the undergraduates.

The exercises are justly considered as more than sustaining the high standard of former years and Prof. Abrams is to be congratulated upon the marked success of his first year as Principal of the Ilion High Schools.