Ilion High School - Class of 1948

Herkimer Evening Telegram - June 30, 1948

Syracuse Educator Gives Advice to Ilion Class

Article 2

Syracuse Educator Gives Advice to Ilion Class

Ilion - Using the expressions of youth as the basis for his address, Dr. Charles C. Noble, dean of Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University, last night presented graduates of Ilion High School with suggestions for success in life.

Dr. Earl P. Watkin, superintendent of schools, introduced the speaker at the commencement exercises in the Capitol Theatre.

The speaker will be Charles C. Noble, dean of Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University, who "is highly regarded throughout Central, New York for his ability as a speaker."

"Be on the ball" Noble urged the students. "After the last war, we fumbled the ball and now if democracy does not clean house and make itself fit to lead the world and feed the world some one else will. Our only defense against total war is total peace."

His second quotation was "You can say that again." Noble told of the many things in life worth repeating and said that good things stand forever. Some things stand the test and others wear out and he warned the students to learn values that are deathless.

Likes Expression

He said he liked the expression, "It's terrific." Everyone must commit themselves to something bigger than himself and then have the exuberance of youth to carry it out, as "all outness" is required in a successful life, he added.

Making his last point he used the expression, "I can dream can't I?" He spoke of the impossibility of progress without dreams and told the class to hang on to their dreams and let no one convince them that it is crazy to dream.

The program opened with a selection by the school orchestra directed by Jack R. Brunner. Graduates and teachers marched to their seats in the front of the auditorium to the accompaniment of the processional march by the orchestra. Principal Guy S. Prindle called the assemblage to order and the Rev. F. W. Ainslie gave the invocation.

Miss Louise Younglove gave the salutatory. "The Delight of Owning Books." The valedictory by Joseph Leistyna was a tribute to teachers and parents for privileges given the class during their school years in Ilion.

Graduate Sings

Miss Patricia Anne Bachman, one of the graduates, sang, "A Heart That's Free" by Bailey and Rebyn accompanied on the piano by her brother, Rudolph.

Prizes were awarded by Prindle following two selections by the 1948 members of the school choir directed by Allan Mead. Thomas Morris, president of the Board of Education, and Watkin presented diplomas. The program closed with the benediction by Mr. Ainslie.

Prizes were awarded as follow:

English, Leistyna, $7.50; Louise Younglove, $5;
mathematics, Leistyna, $7.50; Carl Monz $5;
social studies three years, (Cornelia Nagel prize) Leistyna, $5;
American History, 11th year, Grace Jean Day, $2.50;
American history, 12th year, Leistyna, $2.50;
Latin, Leistyna, $7.50; Reva Freepian, $5.

Modern language, Ruth Hjorth, $5; Carl Lints, $2.50;
science and Bausch and Lomb medal, Leistyna $7.50, Monz, $5;
Commercial and Becker College Pin, Esther Chase, $7.50;
shorthand II and transcription, Miss Chase. $2.50;
office practice I-II and typewriting, Miss Chase, $2.50.

Industrial arts, Leo Boucher, $5;
mechanical drawing, three courses, Boucher, $2.50;
Everett Mack Memorial prize, $10 math and science, five units Leistyna;
RPI medal, Leistyna;
Lt. William Momberger memorial prize, Glyde Hoyle, $3;
music Allan Mead, $5;
art, $5, Shirley Steiner and Robert Kennell;
speech arts, Alonzo Fake $2.50.

Robert Kent memorial plaque, Miss Chase;
Lever cup, Robert Morris and Donald Pearson;
Peters Memorial prize, Miss Younglove, $10, and Bert Warner, $10.

Donors included the Ilion National Bank & Trust Co., Manufacturers Bank, Ilion Savings & Loan Association, Remington Arms Co., E. V. Mack, Dr. Arthur Leistyna, Ilion Lodge of Odd Fellows, Ilion Masonic Lodge, Ilion Lodge of Elks, Knights of Columbus, Mrs. Abram Zoller, Beta Chi Delta Chapter, Philia Club, Herkimer County Council of Jewish Women, Traveler's Club, Historical Club, Business and Professional Women of Herkimer County, American Legion Auxiliary and the D.A.R.