Missouri Valley times., 1901-06-06
Commencement Exercises,

wus h.led with an intelligent aud
fence who had assembled to wit.
ness the commencement exercises
Of the city's high school. While
exercises of this nature will al
ways be interesting as long as hu-
man hearts beat in sympathy with
the young who are standing with
eager feet and trusting, glowing
hearts at the threshold Of life's
stage, yet it seems that the exer-
cises were of an uausually high
order and reflected credit upon
our school system, the faculty and
the young people most interested.
The house had been made beauti-
ful with we'll defined plan of dec
orations. Upon entering the ope-
ra house the eye was greeted with
the artistic arrangement of the
class colors, purple and white, and
above it was placed the class mot
to, "Green but Ripening." Sew
enteen young people, nine girls
and eight boys, composed the class
of 1901. They and their teachers
occupied seats upon the platform,
forming possibly for the last time
an unbroken circle. In the box
on the left side sat the class of
1902 with their colors, cerise and
white, arranged about them. On
the right hand both boxes we're
filled with the young people Of the
class of 1908. Their colors, gold
and yellow, made a brilliant show
ing about them. The exercises
we're opened by Mendelssohn's
"Spring Song" rendered by Miss
Opal Goodman, after which Rev.
w. u. Douglas invoked Gods
blessing, guidance and tender care
over the lives of these young peo-
pie to whom now life seems like a
fairy tale in which they are to be
the chief characters. Principal
q. d. Barrett introduced the class
In very pretty way. The songs
and choruses rendered by the class
we're all meritorious and enjoyed
by the audience. Miss Fannie
Wilkensen presided at the piano.
During the evenings exercises an
oration on Strikes was given by
Ray Harris, and one on Robert
Burns by Miss Mae Anders. Each
did exceptionally we'll in their
parts. Miss Nellie Ross declaimed
Beecher's "Cynic" in very hap
py manner, and John O'Connor
gave "Mamma's Opposite Exam
ple'' an acceptable rendition. Miss
Bertha Donaldson's original pro-
duction, "The Education of Wo-
man" won for her much praise
and many compliments. A scene
from Hamlet was given by Harry
Boies personating Hamlet and
Miss Eva Fountain becoming
Ophelia, in a way which called
forth hearty applause. The scene
from Gas Ycu Like II" was also
very much enjoyed. Rosalind,
represented by Miss Vera Foss,
lost none Of her piquant charms.
Miss Ute Mckay seemed to have
9 very good conception of Celia.
Ross Mclaughlin took the part of
the Duke in a very satisfactory
manner. II would be impossible
to discriminate in the perform
ances, all did so exceedingly we'll
the different parts allotted them.
Each added to the excellence of
the whole, and all are congratulate
ed equally. Missouri Valley is
proud of her schools and especial
ly of the young ladies and gentle
men graduated from them in the
year 1901. After the graduating
song the diplomas were presented
by J. 8. McGavren, president Of
the board, with neat speech.
Prof. Warner said few good bye
worda, and then the friends gath
cred around the young people in
great numbers and spoke their
words of congratulation and good
wishes, and then the curtain was
dropped upon the school life of
many Of the class, but yet the
prayer follows them that all of
them shall fulfill their "Ripenine''
in life's school opening befo, g
them that when they are garnered
in by the Great Reaper, the world
may be better and truer for their
lives and efforts.
Following is the list Of gradu-
ates:
Edward ]. Alexander,
Mae Corinne Anders,
Marie e. Burke.
Harry Edward Boies,
Ralph James Carlisle,
Bertha Lilias Donaldson,
Vera Alice Foss,
Gale 3. Fouts,
Evalena Fountain,
Florence Opal Goodman,
Ray Harris,
Rush CLARK Lahmsn,
Ute Claire Mckay.
James Roes mclaughlin,
Matte Marguerite Morgan,
John 7. O'Connor,
Nellie Alice Ross.
Mrs. Wilson, mother of Mrs. M.
N..l--