Ilion High School - Class of 1953

Herkimer Evening Telegram - June 24, 1953

85 Diplomas Presented To Ilion High Graduates

Article 1

Photo Caption: ILION COMMENCEMENT - A segment of the 1953 graduates of Ilion High school at the commencement program in the Capitol Theater last night is shown above. A large crowd filled the theater. Prizes were awarded by School Principal Joseph Baker. - Telegram Staff Photo

85 Diplomas Presented To Ilion High Graduate

ILION - Eighty one graduates were awarded academic diplomas, and four more general diplomas on the basis of tests taken in the Armed Forces, at Ilion High School commencement exercises last night in the Capitol Theater.

Speaker was Dr. Alfred J. Cardall, Yardley, Pa., director of Cardall Associates, who told the class among the three rules for graduates to consider is to "know more about one thing than anyone else. Knowledge of people is the most important skill and economic and social rewards are in direct proportion to service to your fellow men."

Happiness and Success

Comparing the difference between happiness and success, he continued, "Two things every one desires are happiness and success. Happiness is perhaps a by-product of success, rather than anything we can directly strive for."

The program opened with selections by the High School Orchestra directed by Robert Weiler, "Holiday Tune", by Whitney and "Pomp and Circumstance," by Elgar.

The Rev. Paul Wagner, D. D., pastor of the Presbyterian Church, gave the invocation; Doreen Pelletier the salutatory and Richard Hall the valedictory. Doreen's topic was "So Much to Remember", and Hall spoke on "Religion in Youth."

CLASS SPEAKERS - Top honors of the 1953 Ilion High School graduating class went to Doreen Pelletier, salutatorian, who delivered the address, "So Much to Remember," and Richard Hall, valedictorian, who spoke on "Religion in Youth." The young graduates are shown above in the lobby of the Capitol Theater of Ilion. Miss Pelletier plans to become a teacher and Hall a minister. - Telegram Staff Photo

Following the talk by Dr. Cardall, the Orpheus Club, directed by Arthur Dauten, sang, "The Heavens Resound," "Halls of Ivy" and "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Joseph Baker, principal of the school, awarded these prizes:

Prize Winners

English, first prize given by Miss Loretta Douglas, Richard Hall, $10; Doreen Pelletier, $5; Mathematics, Richard Hall, $10; Mary Lou Meiser, $5; Social Studies, three years, Cornelia Nagel Prize, Mary Elizabeth Winsor, $5; American History, 11th year, Mary Elizabeth Winsor, $5; 12th year, Richard Hall, $5.

Latin, three years, Doreen Pelletier, $7.50; Mary Elizabeth Winsor, $5; Spanish, 2 years, Richard Hall, $5; French, 3 years, Charles Thibault, $5; John Guy Prindle and the Bausch and Lomb medal, Richard Hall, $7.50; Charles Wood, $5; Shorthand, 2 years, and transcription, Mary Lou Meiser, $5.

Office practice and typewriting, Frances Capes. $5; Industrial Arts, 3 years, Robert Deming, $5; Mechanical Drawing, 1, 2, 3, John Stephenson, $5; Mathematics and Science, five units, Richard Hall, $10; Mary Lou Meiser, $5; William Momberger Prize given by his parents, Robert Bergin, $5.

Priscilla Burnham Prize, Doreen Pelletier, $10; Mary Sue Power, $10; Art, 3 years, Donn Ahern, $5; Speech Arts, Richard Hall, $2.50; Robert Kent Memorial Prize in Music, Instrumental, Bertha Johnson, $5; Mary Sue Power, $3; Vocal, Barbara Garlock, $5; Robert Meade, $3; All around excellence in music, Richard Merchant, $10.

Lever Cup, Robert Deming; Coaches Trophy, James Wheat; VFW Prizes for improvement, boy, John Remmell, $10; girl, Nancy Denapole, $10; Diane Monteau Memorial Prize, Doreen Pelletier, $10; Ralph A. Peters Memorial Prize for Citizenship, Ernest Eberle, $10; Doreen Pelletier, $10.

"All Around Girl"

Priscilla Burnham memorial trophy went to Ann Hanson, chosen by the 1952 Girl's Athletic Council, awarded in memory of Priscilla Burnham to the most "All Around" girl in the Senior Class who possesses the following attributes: 1 - Is of good character; 2 - Attains a high scholastic average must be in the upper four of her class; 3 - Is an active participant in the intramural and interschool program; 4 - Is active in class activities, clubs and other organizations in the school.

Following the presentation of diplomas by Wagner Klipple, president of the Board of Education and Dr. Earl P. Watkin, superintendent of schools, Dr. Wagner concluded the service with the benediction.

Graduating Class

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:

Graduates include:

Academic diplomas,

Donn Ahern,
Harold Bala,
Joan Benthall,
Robert Bergin,
Phyllis Bishop,
Janice Butterworth,
Frances Capes,
Margaret Carr,
Elizabeth Cashman,
Gwendolyn Connelly,
Leo [Dale] Connors,
Richard Coupe,
Mervyn Covell.

Also,
Aleithia Crisler,
Hilda Crouch,
Antoinette Cuda,
William DeLude,
Robert Deming,
Nancy Denapole,
Shirley Disotelle,
Nancy Donahue,
Glenn Drake,
Joan Earle,
Ernest Eberly,
Barbara Garlock,
Janet Getman,
Florence Grizzutto,
Richard Hall,
Janet Hannahs,
Ann Hanson.

Also,
Mary Ellen Hardy,
Jane Haughton,
David Hecox,
Beverly Horn,
Kenneth Humphrey,
Shirley Hunter,
Bertha Johnson,
Ronald Jones,
Richard Klipple,
Shirley Lewis,
Mary Ann Marine,
Patricia Mason,
Robert Meade,
Mary Lou Meiser,
Richard Merchant,
Jeanne Mielcarski.

Also,
Raymond Morton,
Ann Murphy,
William Murphy,
Garry O'Connell,
Michael Palmer,
Sally Ann Paul,
Thomas Pavliga,
Doreen Pelletier,
Richard Pettingill,
Mary Susan Power,
Elinor Prince,
Barbara Ann Putnam,
John A. Remmell,
Warren Reynolds,
Harold Riddell.

Also,
Mary Ellen Roberts,
Shirley Ryden,
Jewel Scanlon,
Barbara Smith,
Eleanor Smith,
Roger D. Smithson Jr.,
Rita Stagg,
John Stephenson,
Leta Sterling,
Charles Thibault,
Lawrence R. Thibault,
Marilyn Thompson,
Marjorie Thompson,
Janet Watchers,
James Wheat,
William Whiter,
Clifford Williams,
Joyce Williams,
Mary Winsor,
Charles Russell Wood.

General diplomas,

Paul R. Golden,
William P. Hayes,
Alvin C. Miller and
John W. Shevnick [Skevnick].