The Portland daily press., 1881-07-01
PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL.
G radiation Exercises at City Hall.

The graduating exercises of the class of 81,
Portland High School, took place in City
Hall yesterday afternoon. The hall was
very tastefuily decorated by the young
gentlemen and ladies of the class of 1852.
The back of the stage was adorned with ban
ners, gracefully draped, and overhead were the
initials P. H. S. and v A.V., the latter denot-
ing the motto of the class. In front of the
desk was a magnificent centre piece, a large
anchor of white flowers, bearing the figures
81 in red. A bank OF flowers and evergreen
extended on either side to the sides of the
stage, flanked by fine potted plants. There
were also pretty floral baskets and elegant bou-
quets At the back of the hall a rustic basket
of very attractive flowers was suspended from
the gallery.
The hall was crowded with the parents and
friends of the class, while the platform was
occupied by His Honor Mayor Senior and the
School Committee, Mr.. A E. Chase the Prin-
cipal of the school, and Superintendent fash,
who presided. The various parts were well
written and well delivered
Mr.. G. f. Libby conferred the diplomas, and
in addressing the graduating class spoke of the
proper work of the High school as part Of
the public school system, and referred to the
large number of its graduates who were hold
ing positions of influence and trust in the COM
munity, and whose usefulness was largely due
to the impulse they received in the High
school He said that in these days, when SO
many questioning the wisdom and expedi-
of l. ~
expense, the system would be judged largely
by its fruits as shown in the lives and labors of
its graduates. That unless it was seen that
higher education makes better men and more
useful citizens its maintenance at the public
expense would not be justified. That if the
Portland High school should be restricted in
its usefulness and overthrown by the attacks
which are now made upon it from certain quar-
tiers, the result would be due to the failure of
its graduates to illustrate its usefulness and
maintain its integrity.
Mayor Senter then said
1t is made the duty of the Mayor to distrib-
ute these beautiful and we'll earned medals,
and surely it is pleasant task to perform that
duty. Through the bounty of our late towns
man, Hon. j. B. Brown, medals are provided
for the most successful scholars who graduate
lrOIQ Lllo I1lSn SCHOOL. lue rtCipl6uLS u GnbS6
medals are to be congratulated on their stand
ing which enables them to obtain this distin-
guished mark of excellence. The small diff
ference of grade between those who obtain
medals and those who receive diplomas is
difficult to realize. 1t is almost microscopic
1t has not been my good fortune to become
acquainted with the daily work in your school.
My duties have not enabled me to witness
your constant progress. judge only of the
final result, and l am witness here to your
record, that you are eminent as graduates, and
that you have merited by your industry and by
your devotion to your studies the position to
which you have attained.
Mabel Frances Ricker-May you always re-
tain pleasant memories of your school life in
Portland.
a lively and lovely interest in whatever you
undertake.
Octavfa Lombard Cram-Be always dligent
in the pursuit of knowledge for its value in
the pleasures and duties of life. =
Carrie Thompson-Regard the position you
have attained as the beginning and not the
end of your education.
Charles Fobes Flagg-Expect only such ben-
ehts to accrue to you in this life as your own
merits warrant.
George Lincoln Fitz-Never grieve for what
you have not accomplished. The present and
future are yours.
Nat George Shannon-To make real pro-
gress in knowledge you must dedicate the years
to come as well as those that you have passed.
Henry Burbank Peters-Never let present
pleasures cause you to violate the sound in
struction you have acquired in your school ed
ucation.
La spite of the lowering clouds and light
ning's flash,
Your school term is ended
Your class-work is done
And will be known, like yonder comet,
AS that of 81,
The exercises closed with the singing of the