The Monitor-register., 1897-06-04
HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCE
MENT.

WClNIs
THE OPERA HOUSE CROWDED TO WIT
NESS THE GRADUATING EXERCISES OF
THE CLASS OF '97 - THEY ACQUI,
THEMSELVES WELL - KIND WORD
FROM PRESIDENT READING AM
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT ewYNNE.
The commencement exercises of th;
Woodstown High School were sheld il
the Opera House on Monday evening. al
audience filling every part of the avail
able space being present, large number
standing until the close. The arrange
ment of the program was most excellent
in that it afforded a sufficient variety tc
hold the interest of the audience from
first to last
The platform was tastefully decorated
with plants and ferns and palms, and the
motto of the class of '07 occupied promi
nent place. 1t was white shield with a
place in the centre for group picture oi
the members of the class, with the ords.
"We have crossed the hills, the noun.
tains are in view," painted above and be-
low and representation of the hills and
mountains on either side.
The graduating class was composed OF
six young ladies-Misses Florence
Garrison Turner, Martha Lippincott
Clayton, Helen Paulding Coombs, Sarah
Elma Fogg, Edna Earle Currie and
Nellie Hires Richman. These, together
with the teachers, Miss Emily s. Sayre
and Miss Anna Bradway, the members OF
the Board of Education, County Super
intendent Gwynne, Rev. DR.. Collier and
Mayor Richman occupied seats on the
| platform.
The Woodstown Band was present and
opened the exercises with a selection,
after which the pupils of the High
School sung chorus "Dream of Sum-
mer," Rev. DR.. Collier following with
the opening prayer. The class song was
sung by the graduates, and then Miss
Martha L. Clayton, the salutatorian of
the class, graciously welcomed the audi
ence as their special guests, with the
| hope that the exercises might prove of
interest to all and aid in promoting the
welfare of the High School. Her essay
was charming and picture of the linen
industry at Belfast, Ireland, as seen in a
reverie, awakened by finding handker-
chief floating down a woodland stream,
and closing with some appropriate and
beautiful lessons on this suggestive ex-
| ample of life, and the necessity that our
| lives be pure and the greatest care exer-
cised that the warp and woof of char
| aeter, and indeed the whole texture of
life be such as will prove a blessing for
time and eternity.
The title of the essay of Miss Edna
| Earle Currie was 'Snow," and from its
beauty and purity she drew many valu-
able lessons. The school then sang a
chorus, "Long Time Ago."
Leaves was the title of an essay of
Miss Sarah Elma Fogg, and reciting the
fact that the groves we're Gods first
temples, she said that the leaves are
always the sign of life, and then told of the
peculiar functions they perform in nature
acting as the lungs to the trees, and each
leaf helps to make the life of the tree So
we each one have our place in the world,
with peculiar duties, obligations and re-
sponsibilities and we need to study how
best to meet these and fill our station
with good to ourselves and blessings to
those about us.
Miss Helen P. Coombs took "Litera-
ture" as the subject for her essay, saying
that all nations have their literature, aud
making special mention of that of ancient
Greece and Rome, which have indeed
fashioned the literature of the world
Reference was made to our American
literature, and to the forms in which the
noted authors have clothed their thoughts
in prose aud poetry, and as well the pleas
ure, inspiration and instruction which it
affords to mankind.
Wilma Coles rendered beautiful solo
on the piano, and selection by the
Band closed the first part.
A trio was given by Misses Martha L..
Clayton, Sarah E. Fogg and Nellie H.
Richman, followed by the reading of
''The Vision of Sir Launfal," and the
essay and valedictory by Miss Florence
Garrison Turner. Her subject was
"Rocks," and after referring to the men
tion made of the rocks in the sacred
scriptures, and to Toplady's beautiful
hymn, Crock of Ages" she spoke of the
different formation of rocks, and the
wonderful stories of pre- historic times
which geologists have been able to read
in the impressions made on their surface,
and closed with kindly farewell to the
school and the teachers, and expressions
of thankfulness to the teachers for their
patience and painstaking work, to the
Board of Education for their work in
behalf of the school, and to the County
1Ol nlS lub6I6bb duu IuaIY
words OF encouragement.
A chorus was rendered by the school,
when Mr.. Jos. II. Reading, President OF
the Board of Education, presented certifi.
Gates to the following gradu ates in tile
Jaquette, Lizzie Miller, Abbie Richardson
and May Hahn. He then presented the
graduating GLASS with their diplomas,
nrofaninn fhic oloo r,f d,1tx ~ Go
words of congratulation and wholesome
advice.
The class address was given by County
Superintendent Gwynne, who said that
when he was first appointed Superinten-
dent some one asked him if it did not
bother him to meet the schoolma'ms. He
replied no; as he was able to cope with
one woman, for he could tell her that
her crimps were coming out, or her hat
was on crooked, apd thus hold his own;
but the thing that had always bothered
him, and does still, are the big girls on
the back seats who get behind their
Biographies and giggle.
He disclaimed any intention of making
a typical class address, but spoke Of
some types of the new woman, and as
the class was composed exclusively of
JOuh6 A0oiOoS hO WOO LuOl0 luCIlu6u W
beg them to be merciful rather THAI
to preach to them of their possibilities.
Mr.. Gwynne gave as motto for those
en- tering on the work of life, "The
worlds mine oyster" The oysters
home is under the water and must be
searched for; as we search we gain
knowledge, with searching go hand in
hand industry, patience, perseverance,
noble virtues. The oyster f1ourishes best
in the cold of winter-that means endur.
ance. To gather the oyster we must
have boats and special tools-that means
skill. When gathered the oyster must
be marketed-that means commerce.
When marketed the oyster must be sold
that means business When the oyster is
sold there is an exchange of values-that
Means thrift and saving. Truly, to-day
class of girls can take for its motto
"The worlds mine OYSTER" with almost
an equal chance with a class of boys of
conquering that world so far as success,
prosperity and happiness for each of its
members is concerned. Glass of '97 l
bid you hail, and Godspeed. May you
prove that you know how to gather the
| oyster, and that you know how to cook
| it.
Geo. M. Andrews, in giving report of
the school, made special mention of the
pupils who have not been absent or tardy
during the year, as follows: Florence G
Turner, Sallie E. Fogg, Edna E. Currie,
Ada Buzby, Minnie Deuschle, Bertha
Becker, Willie Buzby, Anna Carney,
Naomi Snelbaker, Ethel Riohman, Erma
Flitcraft, Elmira Lippinoott and Frank
Coleman.
Pupils whose general average is above
so for work and department: Florence g
Turner, Martha L. Clayton, Helen P.
Coombs. Sallie E. Fogg, Edna E. Currie,
HeleD Jaquette, Minnie Dsuschle, Mabel
| Turner, Ada Buzby, Willie Buzby, Abbie