The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1901-01-30
Class Of Fourteen Received Their
Diplomas Yesterday.
Exercises Preceded By
Reception.
Members of Legislative Educa-
tiOnai Committee Present.

The closing exercises in connection
with the graduation of the first class OF
1901, Gorham Normal school, commenced
Monday evening at the school buildings.
Ire graduating GLASS gave reception
to their many friends, and Normal as
sembly room was filled.
Several state officials were present from
Augusta, also ex-Gov. Robbie, Prof. Hunt,
Rev MIR. Cashmere, Ii. b. johnson and
II. p. ohnson. The graduating class
resolved in the main room all OF whom
were prettily gowned In white.
The ushers were Miss Grace Tibbetts,
Miss Emily Carnage, Miss Harriet Mitch
ell, Miss Angle Hanson, Miss Jennie
CiIley, Miss Florence Duckworth, Miss
Loltle Cobb, Miss Maria Seabury.
Refreshments were served from tables,
which were prettlly decorated with ferns
and class colors. Miss Nellie Stone pre-
sided at the coffee urn, and Miss Fergu-
son at the cocoa table. They were ably
assisted by young ladies from the IN
der Glasses. Excellent music was fur
nished for the occasion by young ladies
OF the school. The reception was said
to be one OF the most pleasant given by
the school.
The exercises opened Tuesday morn
ing at 80, with the usual opening ex-
ercisss. Examination of classes took
place in the second class rooms, and
most excellent work was done. Many
visited the class rooms.
An exhibition OF csllsth enics under the
direction OF Miss Gertrude Stone, was
much enjoyed.
part of the graduating exercises
consisted of a lesson in history which
Included the Second Continental Con-
gress.
President Hancock, as Miss katherine
Merrill. called the Congress to order. Roll
was called by the clerk, Miss Fame,
and speeches were made in favor OF
adopting the Declaration OF Indepen-
denoe by Miss Hattie Wiggan as Thomas
jefferson, Edna Sawyer as William Will
Iiams, Maria Seabury as John Penn,
Laura Usher as VIM. Pace, Agnes san
born as Samuel Adams, Charles +. Ray
mond as John Adams in his famous
speech, also Annette Peasley as Benja-
min Franklin. Miss Edith Rankin as
F Lewis of New YORK, was on the mega
tive, also Miss Mamie Hinokley as John
Dickinson.
President Hancock then declared the
debate closed and the question came to
final vote. The President then declared
the Declaration of Independence OF the
United Colonies adopted by virtue of
the united votes cast here in Congress
on the 4th of July in the year of our
Lord, 1776
Members then signed the declaration
and Congress adjourned amid shouts of
applause and singing of "Hail Column
bia'' 1t was one of the most enjoyable
exercises ever given by thu school. Much
credit is due, not only those who took
part, but Miss Andrews, the teacher, in
charge.
The music was by the pupils Of the
school and was finely rendered and Of a
high order. Miss Olive Cooling presided
at the piano.
Before the diplomas were conferred very
interesting remarks were made by Sena-
tors Walls and PIummer, Representatives
Walker, Bennett, Weed, Cook and Gil
man of the educational committee, Trus-
tees &. A. Robertson and knowlton.
Principal Corthell then addressed the
graduating class in feeling manner
and spoke OF their excellent work for tina
past two years, and concluded with
good AM valuable advice which Will
long be remembered by the graduates.
State Superintendent w. w. Stetson
then addressed the class and school
giving the best speech evsr made In the
building, which brought tears from
many present, after which he conferred