Ilion High School - Class of 1952

Herkimer Evening Telegram - June 24, 1952

78 Ilion Graduates, Six In Service, Get Diplomas

Article 1

Photo Caption: THE GRADUATING CLASS filled the first few rows at Ilion's Capitol Theater last night, scene of the Ilion High School graduation exercises.(Staff Photo)

78 Ilion Graduates, Six In Service, Get Diplomas

Ilion - Seventy eight students received academic diplomas and eight general diplomas at commencement exercises of Ilion High School held in the Capitol Theater last night, six of the general diplomas awarded to men on the basis of tests taken in the Armed Forces.

The salutatory was given by William Young who reminded his classmates of things which the youth of America has to appreciate. In expressing appreciation of his class members and himself for the privilege of the phase of education just concluded, he asked teachers of the audience and parents of the graduates to stand to receive an expression of thanks.

Gwendolyn Gienke, valedictorian, spoke on "Yesterday, a Vision-Today, a Challenge." She compared life at the beginning of the century of progress in Ilion with that of today and urged her classmates to perform their duty in making the lot of their world neighbor better.

Dr. Earl P. Watkin, superintendent of schools, introduced the speaker of the evening, Herbert E. Pickett, saying he was formerly neighbor of Ilion since Pickett lived some time in Cooperstown where he was headmaster of a school for several years.

"First Things Last"

Taking for his topic, "The First Things Last," the speaker enumerated some of the first things that do endure to bless man now and in the days to come.

He described the challenge to young people of today as one requiring solution of the problem of living together and exhorted them to study the constitution of the United States for inspiration, to exercise faith in a Supreme Being to secure the needed help.

He concluded by suggesting a test to be given by each graduate to himself many times over. "Say, Thank God I'm An American" and if you cannot say it with all the fervor and strength of sincerity of your being, there is something you must set yourself repairing."

Awards Prizes

Joseph Baker, Ilion High School principal, awarded the following prizes: English given by Miss Loretta Douglas Memorial Fund, Ann Alvis, first, Gwendolyn Gienke, second; Mathematics, William Young first, Gwendolyn Gienke, second.

World History, John Sheehan; Social Study, Cornelia Nagel prize, William Young; American History, 11th year, William Young, 12th year, William Young and John Sheehan; Latin, 3 years, John Sheehan, first, and Ann Alvis second.

Spanish, 2 years, William Young; French 3 years, Lucille Kinney; John G. Prindle memorial prizes in science and Bausch and Lomb medal, William Young and second, David Thompson; shorthand 2 years, Joyce Hungerford; office practice and typing, Joyce Hungerford.

Industrial arts, 3 years, Harry Martin; mechanical drawing, William Young; Math and Science, 5 units and RPI medal, William Young, first, Gwendolyn Gienke, second; Lt. William Momberger memorial prize given by his parents, Phillip Hitchcock; Priscilla Burnham prize for piano, Nancy Merchant.

Art, 3 years, Robert Huyck; speech arts, William Hall; Robert Kent Memorial prizes in music, instrumental John Currier, first and Robert Pettingill, second, vocal David Thompson, first and Donna Frank, second; all around excellence in music, Nancy Merchant; Lever cup, Joseph Ruane; Priscilla Burnham trophy, Betty Sutton and coaches trophy, Douglas Hall.

Music was furnished by the Ilion High School Orchestra under the direction of Robert Weller. David Thompson sang, "The Blind Plow Man," accompanied by Mrs. Luella Schwartz.

Arthur Dauten directed the Ilion High School Choir in two selections, "Prayer for Wisdom," and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." The Rev. Ernest B. Pugh gave the Invocation and the benediction.

Graduates

Diplomas were awarded by Harold Weeks, president of the Board of Education and Dr. Watkin to:

Ann Morley Ahern,
Jerry Ward Angell,
Margaret Ann Alvis,
Julia Margaret Bechard,
Bernice Ann Briggs,
Alfred E. Brooks, Jr.,
Dorothy Elizabeth Burnside,
Charles Edward Cooper, Jr.,
Robert LeRoy Cormia,
Dorothy Mary Culver,
John Duane Currier,
Doneta Day.

Alice Evelyn Dayton,
Betty Jane DeVere,
Beatrice Donohue,
Paul C. Earl,
Ernestine Ruth Fay,
Ruth Harriet Fay,
Lela May Fitch,
Donna Marie Frank,
Robert B. Furlong,
Gwendolyn Kay Gienke,
Douglas Russell Hall,
William Victor Hall,
Robert James Hand,
William Lester Hendrix.

Philip Charles Hitchcock,
Barbara Jean Hunter,
Marlene Frances Hotaling,
Joyce Ann Hungerford,
Robert Arthur Huyck,
Norman Francis Johnson,
Sherli Jean Jones,
Doris Elaine Jordan,
Lois Ann Kennell,
Lucille Anne Kinney,
Joseph Kinville,
Ann Theresa Leavitt.

Earl Robert Lewis,
Robert Andre Luke,
Charles Gregory McHarg, Jr.,
JoAnn Cecilia McKenna,
Harry Geddes Martin,
Robert P. May,
Nancy G. Merchant,
Christopher Joseph Monahan,
Thomas D. Morath,
Thomas Henry Murphy,
John Erdman Nichols,
Shirley Jean Patrick,
Audrey Marie Pearson.

Also Graduating

Berniece Eileen Peeler,
Eleanor June Pelletier,
Stuart Pelton,
Robert J. Pettengill,
David Norbert Phillips,
James Dexter Phillips,
William Francis Pickett,
Catherine Alice Pooler,
Richard Irving Putch,
Phyllis Magdelene Reed,
Robert William Reese,
Robert Clifton Roberts.

Joseph DeWitt Ruane,
Emily Jean Seibert,
Beverly Ann Seymour,
John Joseph Sheehan,
Hazel Helen Shibley,
John Alexander Shibut,
Alfred Smith,
Jean Ann Spaman,
James A. Spaman,
Betty Jean Sutton,
David Gale Thompson,
Patricia Ann Thompson,
John K. Tillinghast,
Barbara June Yardley,
William Harold Young.

General diplomas were awarded to

Herbert A. Beckwith,
Robert I. Boucher,
Donald K. Crouch,
David A. Fennell,
John F. Greshle
and
Thomas E. Nelson,
on the basis of examinations taken in service.

Other general diplomas went to

Mary Lou Hayes
and
John Joseph Sheehan.

Members of the class holding membership in the National Honor Society are Margaret Alvis, Doneta Day, Gwen Gienke, Joyce Hungerford, Sherli Jones, Charles McHarg, Jr., Nancy Merchant, Eleanor Pelletier, John Shibut, John Sheehan, David Thompson and William Young.