Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-06-14
cLAo- DAY EXERCISES.
Grafton by J. Melvin Thurber-other
Assiqnments-Clas Ode.

Glass day exercises, the most in
teresting feature of the commence
ment program to the members of the
graduating class, were held on the
southern part of the High school lawn
Wednesday afternoon, beginning at
o'clock and continuing until nearly
o'clock. Several hundred people lis
tened to a very well executed program.
Fire platform from which Arthur J.
Monroe, the class president, arnounC-
ed the program, was trimmed with the
class colors, Yale blue and white, and
those participating in the program
assembled to this platform as their
parts in the program were called.
The teachers and members of the class
occupied seats at the right of the
speakers and the guests were seated at
the left
Leitsinger's orchestra opened the
program with THE King of Yvetot,'
by Adolph Adam, after which the class
Grafton was delivered by ]. Melvin
Thurber. The first part of the Grafton
was a vivid, original description of
the battle of Marston Moor in York
shire, England, July 2, 1914, when the
parliamentary forces under Cromwell
and others defeated the royalists un-
der Prince Rupert. The second part
dwelt upon the American Revolution,
and the whole emphasized the spirit
of independence which characterizes
the English speaking people every
where. 1t was delivered with much
force and dramatic effect and was
loudly applauded.
In the class poem Miss Beryl Gill
man wove into verse a beautiful Bible
story, with inspiring effect. 1t re-
Vealed striking originality and was
really one of the most ambitious eff
orts that has been made at any of the
High school class day occasions. 1t
was recited also with excellent taste
After two selections by the orches-
ira Hugh R. Whitman read the class
history. This was a highly interesting
narrative, especially for the class
members, and occasioned frequent
outbursts of laughter as the different
characteristics of the different mem
bers were recalled.
Inc graduates undoubtedly cherish
ed Feelings of gratitude for Carl E.
Hollender as he revealed to them the
future in his class prophecy. Mr.. Hol-
lender found himself under the infiu.
ence of Nikola Tesla's oracle, and
while in that condition was enabled
to locate his classmates many years
hence. His revelation was listened to
with close attention and not little
amusement.
The ivy oration by Miss Clara H.
Whitman, followed another selection
by the orchestra. Miss Whitman's
attractive presence and clear enuncia-
ton added much to the interest in
the Grafton, which in itself was excel
lent. The Grafton portrayed the en-
nobling influences of close communion
with nature.
The ivy poem, by Miss Inez Akley,
embodied charming sentiment, which
was worked out beautifully in a few
brief stanzas. The character of the
verses comported well with the grace
and dignity of the speaker.
At this point the class ivy was
planted close to the building, about
half way from the main entrance to
the northeast corner, each member
of the class placing handful of earth
upon it's roots. Then followed the
singing of the class ode to the tune
of Reginald DeKOven's setting of Kip
ling's Recessional. The ode was writ
ten by Arthur S. Willard and was as
follows:
Come, classmates. let us sing a song
To strengthen hearts with parting cheer,
For glad school days are almost gone
And our Commencement Day is here;
Our preparation time IS past
Life calls at last; life calls at last
Classmates, grid on your armor bright,
Take sword in hand and march away
Join forces with the side for right
If you would win in life's hard fray;