Ilion High School - Class of 1950

Herkimer Evening Telegram - June 28, 1950

Ilion High Graduates Class of 89

Article 1

Ilion High Graduates Class of 89

Students Urged To Be Idealists

"Never be ashamed to be idealists and to work for your ideals," Harold C. Kessinger, eminent jurist, educator and lecturer told 89 graduating Ilion High School seniors at commencement exercises here last night.

Speaking in the Capitol Theater before an audience of nearly 1,000 persons, Kessinger cited the Christian faith as an ideal that refused to die although it began with a mere handful of adherents beset by public opinion.

The program began with an overture and processional march by the high school orchestra, under the direction of Charles F. Green. After the invocation, delivered by the Rev. John G. Nolan, assistant pastor of the Church of the Annunciation, the salutatory address, "The Speech of Angels," was read by Jane Russell, and the valedictory, “The Country of the Blind," by Margaret P. Wagner.

Kenneth W. Edgett, president of the Board of Education, and School Superintendent Dr. Earl P. Watkin awarded the following diplomas:

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Academic -

Arthur B. Abeling,
Robert R. Andrews,
Dolores Ann Bechard,
James Arthur Berlew,
Alvin Henry Bluett,
Gertrude Marie Bluett,
Patricia Ann Bracken,
Joseph E. Byrnes,
Raymond S. Byrnes,
Francis Joseph Callahan,
Barbara Belle Clark,
Katherine Jane Colliton,
John F. Conway,
Glenn E. Denton,
Joan Margaret Dillon,
Joseph Leonard Duffy,
Joseph E. Durkin,
Albert R. Eddy,
David I. Evans,
Marion L. Fay,
Mary Katherine Fay,
Marion Elsie Gettle,
John Mahar Gollegly,
Betty Ann Gorton,
Richard H. Hanley,
Carol Ann Hathaway,
Joseph Joy,
Cary Keith Kidder,
James Peter Lammers,
Martin A. Lang,
Mary Helen Lozo,
Francis G. Manion,
Robert Joseph Marine,
Kenneth L. Miller,
Robert Michael Moolick,
Phyllis Jean Nelson,
Robert Kent Nunneker,
Donald F. O'Bryan,
Lawrence N. Parker,
Arlene M Pearson,
Helen J. Pizdek,
Thomas R. Pierce,
Leona Mae Powers,
Dorothy A. Riesel,
Henry Joseph Scott Jr.,
Ethel Susan Seelbach,
Joseph D. Shafer,
James H. Smith,
Charles G. Squire,
Carole Stilwell,
Richard Roy Townsend,
Jay W. Tuttle,
Mary Ann Vayo,
John Arthur Wedemeyer,
Shirley Ruth Weller,
Doris Wheeler,
Doris Williams,
Mary Jean Williams.

College entrance -

William A. Best,
Barbara Ann Brown,
James Terry Crandall,
Mary Jane Damon,
Marion Grace Dashner,
Thomas Davis,
Ann Marie Daz,
Raymond Joseph Edwards,
JoAnn Foisy,
Edward F. Gerber,
Robert Tracy Getman,
Richard J. LeFever,
Leigh MacDonald,
Edward Grant Markley,
Barbara Ann Mielcarski,
Alan Joseph Momberger,
Mary Alice Mosher,
Phyllis J. Palmer,
Gloria Ann Primmar,
Sylvia Ann Reed,
Jane Russell,
Frances Mary Sanders,
James L. Schaepe,
Doris Maxine Smith,
Herbert C. Stark,
Margaret P. Wagner,
Edwin Charles Welsh,
JoAnn Wilson.

General -

Georgette Alice Dayton,
William A. Goff,
James B Jay,
Ernest Wait,
Alexander L. Youda.

Wins Six Prizes

Miss Wagner, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Paul Wagner and Mrs. Wagner and valedictorian of her class, was awarded six prizes totaling $45. The prizes were: English, first prize. $7.50; Mathematics, first prize $7.50; American History, 11th year, $2.50; R. P. I. Medal five units of Mathematics and Science, $10.00; Peters Memorial Prize, $10.00; Latin, first prize, $7.50.

The Lever Cup, emblematic of excellence in both academic work and athletics, went to Thomas R. Pierce, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Pierce. An able student, he won letters in basketball, football and baseball.

Other prize winners were: Robert Getman, Cornelia Nagel prize for social studies three years, $5.00, and American History, 12th year, $2.50; Alan Momberger, Mathematics, second prize, $5.00, and Bausch A Lomb Science medal, second prize, $5.00; Jane Russell, salutatorian, English, second prize. $5.00, Music, first prize $5.00, and Robert Kent Memorial Prize; Jean Nelson, Commercial A Becker College Pin, $5.00, Shorthand and Transcription, $2.50, and Office Practice I and II and Typewriting, $2.50; Barbara Brown, Latin, second prize $5.00; JoAnn Wilson, Modern Language, first prize, $7.50; William Best, Bausch A Lomb Science medal, first prize, $7.50; Albert Eddy, Industrial Arts, $5.00; Arthur Abeling, Mechanical Drawing, $2.50; Joseph Joy, Lt. William Momberger Memorial Prize, $5.00; Marian Dashner, Art, $5.00; Joseph Edwards Speech Arts, $2.50; Thomas Davis, Peters Memorial Prize $10.00.

Prize Fund Donors

Donors to the 1950 prize fund were the Ilion National Bank and Trust Co., the Manufacturers Bank, the Ilion Savings and Loan Association, Remington Arms, Beta Chi-Rho, Dr. Arthur Leistyna, Ilion Lodge of Odd Fellows, Masonic Lodge, Elks Lodge, Knights of Columbus, Mrs. Abram Zoller, Beta Chi Delta, Philia Club, Travelers Club, Historical Club, County Business and Professional Women, American Legion Auxiliary and the D. A. R. The awards were presented by John G. Prindle, high school principal. Musical interludes were provided by the senior choir, also under Green's direction, and James Schaepe, violin soloist. Schaepe was accompanied by Mrs. Maude Wood. The benediction was by Father Nolan.