The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-06-18
BRIDGToN ACADEMY,
Large Gathering of Alumni and Friends
of the SchoaI.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.l

@~"~Ss5
North Bridgton, June 1.-THE prin-
eipal events of the SSth annual COM
mencement of Bridgton Academy and re-
union of its alumni occurred today with
favorable weather. The attendance at the
graduating exercises Was Unexpectedly
large. About 200 persons were assembled
about the steps of Academy hall an hour
before the time for the opening of the
doors and the streets in every direction
were well filled with the coming throngs
of people.
The attendance of the alumni was not
so large as expected last evening, stlll
about the usual number was present.
The first event of the day was the busl-
ness meeting of the alumni. AS the last
meeting was two years ago and death
and marriage has caused changes there
was an unusual amount of business to
be considered.
AS the president, George S. Farnsworth
has died since the last meeting. Vice
President Charles H. Gould called the
meeting to order at a. m.
Prof. Llewellyn Barton of Portland
was elected president of the alumni asso-
citation; Charles H Gould of New York,
Frank B. Usher If Sebago and Miss Kate
Cushman of this village, vice presidents;
prof. Harris P. Gould of Cornell Univer-
sitv. treasurer; J. Carroll Mead of this
village, secretary, and this executive
council: Prof Llewellyn Barton. Port
Gland; Alvin C. Dresser of Portland; Will
p Babb of Portland; Charles FL. Walker,
Bridgton; and Miss Alma Hall of North
Bridgton.
Secretaries were chosen for each class
nee 1879 to keep record of the resi-
dences of each member of their class.
Preparations were also made to have a
brief biography of each alumni of the
school.
The graduating exercises of Bridgton
Academy began at II a. M, in Academy
hall, which was crowded with the friends
of the graduates. The hall had been
deliberately decorated for the occasion by
the Junior class. From the high ceiling
q reamers in the class colors of nile green
and pink depended in the shape of a half
bell Around the front of the platform
was arranged in a half circle a double
row of choice potted towering plants in
full bloom.
Among these plants the class motto
s'With all our Might" in silvered letters
formed pretty contrast with bright,
green leaves and brilliant hued flowers.
Over the sides of the platform were more
streamers in the class colors, flowers,
eyergreens and fine bust of Cyrus Ham
lin, D. D., one of the most noted of the
many distinguished alumni of the school.
In the centre of the platform sat Prof.
&C. Spratt, principal of the academy and
Prof. E. V. Spooner, assistant principal
and the graduating class. Behind them
the 4arge doors opened upon the hillside
which with it's green grass and foliage
added much to the scene. The trustees
occupied the right of the platform and
tn orchestra the left side.
The graduating class this year consist
ed of ~ members, as follows: Arthur P.
Stanley of Bolster's Mills, Josephine P.
Kicker of Harrison, Blanche A. Cole of
Harrison, Arthur r. Merrill of this vii
lage, Carrie E. Hubbard and Pressie E.
Stanford of Lowell, Bertha l. Green of
Bolsters Mills, Harry W.Watson of South
Watfrord, Anna r. Weston of Bolster S
Mills and Bertha H. Pitts of Harrison.
Mr.. Stanley delivered the salutatory,
Miss Cole the history, Miss Green the
poem, Mr.. Watson the prophecy and Miss
Pitts the valedictory.
The class officers were A. R. Stanley,
president; A. R. Merrill, vice president;
Alice M. Paine, secretary, and Bertha Z.
Green, treasurer.
In the contest for excellence in decla-
nation and debate first honor was award
ed to Miss Pitts and the second honor di-
yided between Miss Green, Miss Paine
and Mr.. Stanley.
The diplomas were conferred by the
chaplain of the school, Rev. A. 6. Fitz.
About $50 of the alumni assembled at
the annual banquet of their ASSOCIATION in
the afternoon. 1t was social dinner
without set speeches and was said by
those present to have been the most sue
cessful and enjoyable affair of the kind in
the annals of the association.
A musical concert in the evening closed
the exercises.