Ilion High School - Class of 1934

Seniors Portray School Activities

The Ilion Sentinel, June 28 1934

Article 4

Seniors Portray School Activities

Against a background of gold and brown, which are the high school colors, members or the Ilion High School graduating class presented a commencement program which was novel and interesting as well as instructive. The program was very artistically done and went off with a smoothness and ease which was quite indicative of the work of the school in general. Its theme, "Education In Our Changing Civilization," was illustrated by talks, tableaus and music which showed the adaption of the academic work and extra-curricular activities to the needs of present day student.

The salutatory by Elisabeth Wasmer on "Meeting the Needs of the High School Pupils Through the Academic Curriculum in 1934" and Joseph Leese's speech on extracurricular activities were aptly illustrated by effective tableaus portraying the different branches of school work and activities. Margaret Fay proved her remarks on "The Art of Trumpet Playing" by smooth performance on that difficult instrument and the A Capella Choir under the direction of Mr. gave a fine rendition Of "Lo, God Is Here." Effectively simple in its setting and action and compelling in its message was the one-act play, "Maid of France," played by Naomi Congdon, Helen Bedworth, Robert Wachtman, Horace Hendrix, and Fred Schremp. Virginia Casey and Florence Singer took opposite sides on the proposition, "Resolved That Democracy Is Losing Ground to Dictatorship in the United States As a Whole."

Louise Plunkett as valedictorian, spoke on "Education at the Cross Roads" and the class song LaVonne Goodale was sung. A solemn note was struck when the seniors repeated the Ephebic oath.

Mr. Watkin Cites Progress

After awarding the prizes, superintendent Watkin spoke briefly on the financial and academic progress which the schools had made in the past few years, citing the fact that the school tax rate was the lowest in many years and that scholarship had steadily advanced with a high school regents record of 92 percent, a record of 94 percent in high school finals counting toward regents, and 96 percent in the final exams for high school entrance.

Before presenting the diplomas, Mrs. Everett Mack, president, of the Board of Education, spoke on the work of the Board toward better schools and commended the faculty and school officials on their accomplishments.

Prizes Awarded

Award of prizes was made by Principal J. G. Prindle as follows: Cash prizes of $5 were given for first, and $2.50 for second to seniors in the following subjects: English, first, Florence Singer; second, Louise Plunkett; mathematics, first, Horace Hendrix; second, Robert Wachtman; history, first Geraldine Jefts; second, Faith Young; language, first, Louise Plunkett; second, Florence Singer; science, first Robert Wachtman; second, Joseph Leese; commercial, first Naomi Congdon; second, Mary Van Alstine.

Virginia Casey received a debating cup for being the best debater. A debate plaque was given for the most service to debating to Elisabeth Wasmer. The R. P. I. medal for mathematics and science went to Robert Wachtman and Marjorie Dunn received $5 for fourth prize in the League of Nations National Contest.

The Stone & Luke Scholarship Cup went to the class of 1934 and the Lever Cup went to Edward Morris. In the American Legion Auxiliary poster contest of Herkimer County, first place went to Lester Waters and second place to Chris Lawless.

A cash prize of $2.50 were given to the following: Chris Lawless for Art; Inez Crocker and Bradford Cole for music; John Fitzer for industrial arts; Faith Young, home economics; Naomi Congdon, American history, by American Legion Auxiliary; Lois Clair, Dramatics, by Herkimer County Council Jewish Women.

Presented "I's"

Those winning honor "I's" were: Post graduates, Roderick Currier and Edward Manion; members of 1934, Emma Carr, Virginia Casey, Lester Waters, Hayden Williams, Lee Luther and Elisabeth Wasmer; members of 1935, Catherine English, Paul Kinney and Matt Williams, cash donations were made by Ilion National Bank, Building & Loan Association, Remington Arms, Manufacturers Bank, Ilion Lodge of Elks, Knights of Columbus, Ilion Masonic Lodge and Ilion Lodges of Odd Fellows.

Art Courses

Chris L. Lawless,
Lester Waters, Jr.

College Entrance

* Jayne Allison,
* Emma Louise Carr,
* Virginia E. Casey,
* Margaret Ellen Fay,
Dorothy Harriett Fleming,
Kendrick G. France,
Paul E. Garlock,
William F. Groesbeck,
* Josepth Leese,
Philip Thurston Loats,
William G. McLouglin,
John F. Maury, Jr.,
* Doris J. Millson,
Anastasia Paro,
Michael Pelepeshin,
* Gertrude Louise Plunkett,
Lincoln A. Russell,
Francis John Serow, Jr.,
Clarence Harvey Shank,
* Florence E. Singer,
* Elisabeth M. Wasmer.

Commercial Course

Don Carlisle Armstrong,
Dorothy Mae Armstrong,
Elinor M. Armstrong,
Helen Frances Bedworth,
Marion B. Bennett,
Julia Ruth Carpenter,
Ella Christiana,
Lois A. Clair,
Leo L. Cline,
* Naomi Congdon,
Stella Czub,
Frederick T. Davis,
Margaret K. Donovan,
Elizabeth DuCette,
Karl Elton Goering,
LaVonne T. Goodale,
Helen Gertrude Grainger,
Effie J. Hofstra,
Gertrude Iva Johns,
Isma Irene Kerr,
Lee I. Luther,
Lewis A. Miller,
Esther Craver Mills,
Anne C. Murphy,
Ruth E. Myers,
Lyle Henry Neely,
Beryl Virginia Nipe,
George T. Reynolds,
Ethel Ellen Stacks,
Marion M. Tefft,
Lawrence Thume,
Mary Elizabeth Van Alstine.

General

H. Bradford Cole,
Marguerite Agnes Giles,
Hayden Thomas Williams.

History

Evelyn Marie Beckwith,
Vincent D. Connors,
John K. Fitzer,
Edward Francis Flemming,
William Fred Hughes,
Geraldine Florence Jefts,
Eleanor M. Jones,
Robert F. Loftis,
John Seaton McGrath,
Ralph Eugene Merrick,
M. Patricia Sheehan,
Robert Rae Williams,
Faith A. Young.

Language

Ohma A. Holliday,
* Edward J. Morris,
Alton Frank Pelletier,
Esther E. Stanton,
Henry W. Worrall.

Mathematics

Ralph G. Baum,
Robert John Casey,
Charles D. Getman,
Winfield Scott Harris,
Martha Louise Heintz,
Horace L. Hendrix,
Mary Arlene Murphy,
* Frederick William Schremp,
Richard Urtz,
* Robert William Wachtman,
Rita Mary Wagner,
Clyde E. Woertendyke.

Music

* Inez Marguerite Crocker,
Maurice U. Goldin.

Science

Doris E. Cobb,
Mortimer Goodwin Dagenkolb,
Robert Hamilton,
Fred E. Harris,
Edwin J. Jackson,
Allan Vernon Rathbun,
Harold Whittemore.

* Member National Honor Society