Ilion High School - Class of 1907

Utica Herald Dispatch - June 26, 1907

BIG AUDIENCE AT THE COMMENCEMENT

ILION CONGRATULATES ANOTHER GRADUATING CLASS

Article 8

BIG AUDIENCE AT THE COMMENCEMENT

ILION CONGRATULATES ANOTHER GRADUATING CLASS

High School Class of '07 Rendered Fine Programme at Opera House - The Field Day.

Ilion, June 21. - The commencement exercises of the class of 1907 of the Ilion High School were held at the Opera House last evening and wore attended by an audience composed of the parents and friends of the graduates that filled the house. The decorations about the house were finely arranged across the stage. The class colors, red and white, were neatly draped. The front of the stage was backed was an abundance of plants, ferns, and flowers. On the stage was conspicuously hung the Latin motto, "Finis opus coronat." As the High School faculty, the Board of Education, the clergy and the class who occupied seats upon the stage entered, Wilcox's Orchestra rendered a selection. The exercises were opened with prayer offered by the Rev. S. J. Greenfield, pastor of the Methodist Church. The first oration was delivered by Claude Petrie, who took for his subject, "The True Patriot." The next speaker was Frank Tracy, whose subject was The American Newspaper." He stated that the newspaper was the chief weapon of the day. The subject of the next speaker, Miss Carrie Turnbull, was "The Character of Queen Elisabeth." The declamation was rendered in a manner that won her hearty applause.

Before the next speaker was called upon, Wilcox's Orchestra played another selection. "The Ambition of Aaron Burr" was the subject taken by Clarence Marhaver who delivered his oration ably. "Teaching, as a Profession" was the topic, of Miss Anna Malloy, who delivered that oration in a manner that interested the audience thoroughly. "The Achievements of American Diplomacy" was the subject of Miles Yate's oration. He won the attention of his hearers every moment. His rendition of this subject was excellent. A selection was afterward rendered by the orchestra.

Jacob Edick took for his subject, The Disfranchisement of the Negro." The speaker was attentively listened to and his subject proved an interesting one. "The missions of the Republic" was the subject of Miles Morgan, who rendered his address ably. The last speaker was Miss Vera Roberts and the subject of her oration was "The Two Great Wars." She spoke very clearly and her subject was one of the best of the evening. After a selection by the orchestra, the presentation of diplomas was made by A. H. Sumner. Prof. Warren gave a very forceful talk to the members of the class. He afterward announced that Miles Yates, valedictorian of the class, had a rating of 95.4 and that Miss Carrie Turnbull, the salutatorian, had a rating of 88.5. The average rating of the class was 83.7. The Class won the Stone scholarship from the class of '06, by one complete point. The exercises closed with the pronouncing of the benediction by the Rev. A. 8, Brown, and a selection by the orchestra. While the audience was leaving several class yells were given.

The junior class after the exercise gave a reception to the graduation class at Harter's Hall, where dancing was enjoyed until a late hour.

The names of the graduates follows:

Clarence Marhaver,
Jacob Edick,
Elisabeth Nigabower,
Carrie Turnbull,
Irving Marhaver,
Pauline Pearson,
Miles Yates,
Hattie Snell,
Harry Eckler,
Anna Malloy,
Percy Edwards,
Miles Morgan,
Vera Roberts,
Clarence Chismore,
Elisabeth McDay,
Nellie J Cheney,
Grace Williamson,
Frank B. Tracy,
Claude Petrie,
Oliver Coleman,
Howell Crim.