The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-06-17
High School commencement.

Whatever the weather may be at other
periods of the year it is always sure to be
hot on the evening when the Mount Holly
High School holds its graduating exer-
cises. Thursday was no exception to the
rule. The morning gave promise of a
cool evening. but long before the time
had arrived for opening the doors of the
opera house the mercury had rapidly run
up towards the top of The thermometer.
But notwithstanding the heat the interest
that there is always large audience pres
ent and on Thursday evening the opera
house was crowded with gathering
which showed the greatest interest during
the two hours they remained.
At ten minutes before eight an orches-
ira began an overture and at eight o'clock
the curtain rose. The members of the
graduating class, students from the High
School, Principal and assistants, members
of the Board of Education, the speaker of
the evening and clergymen occupied
the stage. Rev N j. Wright, eff the M.
E. Church, offered prayer.
Annie Barcklow Elbertson was the sal
utatorian. In clear tones and with we'll
modulated voice she delivered her ad-
dress in a manner that pleased all and
merited the applause that was accorded
her.
Herbert S Kille called the class roll
and each member answered with hum
orous quotation. Bargain day." base
ball, ping pong" and other amusing
subjects received attention. AS the re-
sponses were concluded each student was
presented with handsome bouquet. The
young ladies received theirs with an easy
grace but the boys showed some awkard-
ness, and one lad created much merri-
ment by his attempts to act gracefully
with his bouquet.
John B. Peck gave an essay on Intel
lectual and moral development through
physical exercise" This was an ex-
haustive paper and the writer, who is an
enthusiastic base ball player, gave prac-
tical illustration of the thoughts he ex-
pressed.
Miss |. Pauline Bowker read poem en-
titled ''The ancient pedagogue Miss
Bowker captured the hearts of the audi
ence.
Music by the orchestra followed and
Herbert S. Kille recited "The scholars
progress" which the programme said was
after Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress
The principal character was scholar"
who discovered the temple of learning
and after having gained entrance learned
of the characteristics of many other
scholars, all of which were related in a
manner that caused much merriment
Miss Anna D. Worrell was the valedic-
tOrian, and the choice was a wise one
The young lady evidently devoted much
time to an able paper and delivered it in
fine manner.
The address to the graduating class was
delivered by Judge Charles E. Hendrick-
son. He was very earnest and impress
sive and gave the students good advice
for their future guidance. He said their
graduation was in the nature of a victory
and then told them that a victory was but
the beginning of responsibility. AS an
illustration he recalled the victories of the
civil war and in the contest with Spain
and said that as soon as these contests had
been decided the authorities at once real
lied the responsibilities placed upon them
and were compelled to take steps to meet
the new cares and duties. Judge Hen
erickson paid high compliment to the
graduates and to their instructors for
their success in maintaining the high rep
utation of our schools. New Jersey, al
though small state, leads in educational
matters, and is the only state that secured
gold medal for good showing at one
of the large expositions. He was pleased
to say that Burlington county is entitled
to great share of credit for this state of
affairs. Taking the class motto-"No
steps backward" speaker referred to
the very appropriate choice of motto
and urged his hearers never to lose sight
of the importance of those words and to
ever look forward and to move upward
and onward.
President Samuel A. Atkinson was on
the programme to present the diplomas,
but he was unavoidably detained and that
duty was performed by another member
of the board with few remarks.
The class song, COMPOSED by Carol M
Rogers, was sung, the benediction was
pronounced by Rev. James Stoddard, and
the class of 1902 received the congratula-
tions of their friends.
Following is list of the graduates and
their theses: Anna D. Worrell, 1.-The
Sovereignty of Self CONTROL" Carol NJ
Rogers, Women Givers and Their Gifts;''
Herbert S. Kille, Riches as a Start in
Life" l. Pauline Bowker, Famous
Hoaxes of the Nineteenth Century," John
B. Peck. Mental and Moral Development
Through Physical EXERCISE" Anna E.
Shaw, 1.-The Human Voice." Annie Barck
low Elbertson, ''The Sense of Nonsense"
Edward G. Carson, 'Insects as Messengers
of Harm Florence Phares Sooy, "Our
Foolish Damsels;" Sadie Elizabeth Allen,
Friendships Formed in School Life. .
Glass Motto, No Steps Backward; Glass
Flower, White Carnation; Glass ColOrs,
| White and Green.