The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1901-1901, 1901-06-04
OPENING AND CLOSING.
Salutatory and valedictory Addresses
Last Might.

INV S@OSuuNNs
saIutatory and vaIedictory Addresses
Last Night.
Following are the salutatory adj
dress by Miss Grace McFadden and
the valedictory address by Miss Grace
Sawyer, delivered at the Grammar
school commencement exercises at
the opera house last evening:
SALUTATORY.
Miss Myrtle r. Leach.
Parents and Friends:
On behalf of the board of education
and our teacher and the class of 1901
bid you most cordial welcome to the
first commencement of the X. G. s.
Your presence here this evening
speaks of your interest in us as has
your help and encouragement in the
past. For this we are very grateful,
and we hope to deserve your interest
in our future
A few years ago the traveller say a
beautiful low valley surrounded by
mountains, where was the home of the
mountain lion and the coyote In this
valley now stands our beautiful city,
with it's enterprising inhabitants. Our
beautiful houses, churches point their
spires heavenward and in it's midst
stands the public school, ever a
measure and symbol of it's progress,
and it's enlightenment
Only ten years ago the ranch Of
Rev. Fisher covered most of the pres
ent site of Kalispell. The first house
was built ten years ago and two years
later the first church was erected. One
year before this, in 1892, the people
put their heads together and decided
that the youth of this village of one
years growth must be educated, that
they also might grow as the village
promised to grow.
AS consequence little two-room.
ed school house was built on Third
street and Fourth avenue west, where
the new West Side school house is to
be built. 1t is said that the intentions
of the citizens were better than the
roof which covered this school house,
for it leaked so much that on rainy
days the school had to be closed. But
in spite of all inconvenience two of
the brightest members of our class,
Bessie Smith and Glen Jaqueth receiv-
ed their. first lessons there and grew
and thrived as all Kalispell young
people and the city itself are bound to
do.
In 1894 the two-roomed school house
erected a large brick building with
eleven rooms, the roof of which does
not leak. But in 1900 this building
also was filled to overlooking. BY
vote Of the people of Flathead county
county high school was established
which made change in the construc-
ton Of the city school. The primary
intermediate and grammar depart
ments now constitute the city schools.
On the completion of the course
laid down by the state board of edu.
cation institute diplomas are issued to
the pupils of the city school which ad.
NIT them to the county high school.
And so we meet for the first com.
mencement of the Kalispell Grammar
school. The new century class" is
by no means unimportant. We have
grown as rapidly as our city until
! now on the 3rd day Of June in the
year Of our Lord 1901. we have at
| tanned the height of 156 feet six inches
and are not slim or spindly as we
weigh one ton, 1,17S pounds. We
have strong and noble qualities and a
glance at our names on your pro
grammes will convince you that We
are graceful. We come from two ma
tons and fourteen states. And now
parents and friends, as the represen
tative of this class so strong and sc
noble, so tall and graceful and sc
weighty, let me bid you again a most
cordial welcome.