Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1894-06-21
THE CLASS OF 'o4.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES AT THE
OPERA HOUSE FRIDAY EVENING.
THIRTEEN GRADUATES.

The seating capacity of Russell's
opera house was never more taxed than
on Friday evening. All Audubon
and the surrounding country turned
out to the ninth annual commencement
of the Audubon High School.
When the curtain rose at s o'clock
the class, consisting of Emma Culver,
Jessie Andrews, Orpha Baxter, Fred
Blume, Charles Bradley, Laurene Car
roll, Patience Elicit, Julia Wilson,
Ethel Rees, Frank Mantz and Earl
Jump were seated on the stage, on the
right were the high school teachers, and
and the members of the board of edu-
cation were seated at the back of the
platform. The exercises of the evening
began with an overture rapid Transit"
by the orchestra. Rev. L. Dickinson
offered the invocation and another
musical selection followed.
The salutatory Grafton was by Miss
Culver. The speaker dwelt on education
as the true source of individual and
national strength and closed with
fitting and happy greeting to the as
sembled audience.
Miss Andrews was the second speak
er and her subject "From school life to
life's school, was handled in pleasing
manner. School life is but the first
step and we must depend on the ex-
perience of life's great school.
"The world is against no one" was
Miss Baxter's subject. Miss Baxter
took the optimistic! view of life and
argued an equality in the struggle for
existence
After music, Fred Blume spoke on
"The opportunities of American
Youth" America offers the best field
for enterprising youth in every line of
work and the speaker fOrcibly urged
appreciation of these advantages.
The next Grafton was by Charles
Bradley, whose subject was can Edu-
cational Qualification for Voting"
The speaker favored an educational
clause in our election laws and spoke
for compulsory school attendance,
The sixth speaker was Miss Caro-
with the subject "a Wonderful Story"
The wonderful story was the story of
the creation ahd Miss Carroll treated
her subject in pleasing manner and
with well chosen words. Music fol-
lowed Miss CAROLS grafton.
Miss Ellett's subject was "Earth's
Battle Fields" Earth's conquerers
have their greatness but greater still
is he who conquers himself. Self
mastery is greater victory than that
of many,a blood bought field
Then followed the discussion of the
question "Is the policy of the present
administration responsible for the
hard times?" Frank MantZ said yes,
and Earl Jump said no. This was a
new feature in commencement eXer-
cises and was keenly appreciated by
the audience.
After another selection by the or.
chestra Ellis Harper delivered his ora.
ton entitled Courage" Courage is
the chief and necessary faculty needed
for the accomplishment of great and
good works and is the true bulwork of
life's battles.
Miss Sharp followed with "The Val
ue of Individual Effort" Hard and
earnest individual work is the one way
to a successful life and that way is
reached only by putting forth the best
of our endowed abilities.
Miss Wilson was class historian
She gave biographical sketch OF each
member of the class together with some
of their personal traits and few Of
the many pleasant happenings of school
life.
The valedictorian was Miss Rees,
who after some Introductory remarks,
babe farewell to teachers and school
mates in touching and well chosen
words.
After the class song, "Sad hour Of
parting" and music by the orchestra,
the diplomas were presented by Jno.
A. Nash, president of the board of edu-
cation. Mr.. Nash took the class motto,
"The bay is reached, the ocean lies be-
yond, as the foundation for his remarks.
The benediction was pronounced by
Rev. DR.. A. T. Jeffrey.
The grace and ease with which each
member of the class appeared was one
of the best features of the program,
and showed hard work and patient
training on the part of the class. Gest
ure was frequent and studied, and the
confident appearance Of each member
of the class was especially gratifying
to their friends. The gentlemen wore
the usual conventional black suit,
while the ladies of the class shone re-
splendent in beautiful gowns of white.
The program was among the best and
most successful ever given i'm Audubon