Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-07-08
EIGHT GRADUATES.
Receive Diploma honors in CentraIia
and Deliver Creditabie Orations.

and Deliver CreditabIe Orations.
The Fifth Annual Commencement
exercises of the Centralia High School
were held in Unity Church Friday
evening July End. Deft hands had
spent much time in tasteful decoration
for the occasion and finished ornamen-
tations added a delicate touch to a
pretty scene. On the platform occu-
pied by the graduates, and surrounding
them, was bower Of house plants and
blooming flowers nodding gracious
commentator to the efforts of the
young people; while the class motto
above them, done in the class colors,
Yellow and White, told the intent of it
all-"CIimb,r Though the Rocks be
Rugged" Pendant between festoons
of the motto was a large cluster of
Jacqueminot roses, the class flower. In
fact tue interior of Unity Church never
looked prettier.
The audience was large and attentive,
Notwithstanding the oppressive heat,
every seat being taken. Rev. ]. r.
Reynolds opened the program with
Invocation, followed by an Overture,
''The Wanderer," cleverly executed by
E. A. Lambert, A. H. Colcord and son
Hubert on Mandolins and Guitar.
"Our age an age Of Heroism" was the
| title Of the first Grafton and Mabel d.
Hamilton the first speaker. Miss H.
| had a discourse filled with nice thoughts
and her delivery was pleasing. She
began with the statement that most
people of to-day seem to think that the
age Of heroism is past. The fault, it
was pointed, lies in theNact that in our
age so many great men live that no hero
stands out in very bold relief above the
rest. The noble leader of to-day is
he who is bravest and most proficient
in saving mems lives; contrasted with
the hero of ancient and medieval
history who was great in proportion to
lis ability to destroy life. Conclusion:
Our age is the age of greatest yalor, but
the heroes Of the present are lost in the
admiration for the heroes of the past.
"Municipal Administration in the
United States and in Europe was forci-
bly, handled by James B. Nash. He
demonstrated in no uncertain tones the
advantages of many foreign systems of
city government over those of the [. S.
and his words commanded the wrapt
attention of all.
Miss Nellie Schnabel delighted the
audience with piano solo, and Miss
Lilly A. Lemley followed by entertain
ing her listeners with strong "Plea
for the American Indian" Her subject
was brightly presented.
Fred C. LaBrot talked mostly on
socialistic organization and anarchIsm
as ga Phase of the Social Problem"
referring to the dangerous elements to
social independence and individualisln
which turks beneath the theoristic
community of the socialist and anar-
chist. Fred is an earnest speaker. Mr..
T. S. Wheeler, Miss Esther Thorn
followed this number with a Vocal
Duet which was gem of song.
Roene L. Havenor treated upon the
popular qualities Of "Qpeen Victoria"
Ill well delivered, APPLY written de-
scriptive Grafton. Anna NJ. Mcmillan
showed great deal of careful thought
and investigation in the presentation of
''The Problem Of the Unemployed"
Messrs. E. A. Lambert and Arthur J.
Houston made hit in Baritone and
Cornet duet, then "The Monroe Doc
trine" was taken under discussion by
Lawrence E. Nash. Mr.. Nash has a
remarkably pleasing voice, and as 10
delivery, his was the Grafton par
excellence Of the evening.
George r. Houston appeared last
with touchingly written discourse on
"a Mothers Influence" following it
with the valedictory. George made a
fine impression.
A pretty piano solo by Miss Helen
Steib preceded the presentation of
diplomas by Principal Sherman NJ.
Kyes. A March from the Mandolin
and Guitar trio brought the exercises
to close, but not until the trio had
responded to a vigorous encore.
The class of '97 is the largest in the
history of the Centralia school. They
did we'll every one. May their future
be as bright as their Commencement
and every effort be crowned with equal
success is the hope Of all friends.