Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-06-11

Viroaua citizen are ever solicitous for
( their educational interests else they
would not have caused TO he erected the
| finest high school building in western
| Wisconsin. They are rtoud of the work
Of their instructiona( forces and eongrat-
ulate tha large class of h1gh5 voting
men aud women who esrntd tn" pa 6h-
ment this year Commencement PRO
gram was varied from past seasons. d'-
viding into two evenings, thus avo'olpg
te1iodsness aud giving each graduate a
part in the exercises
THE GRADUATING EXERCISES,
C,mmeucement exercises proper were
held at the tabernacle Thursday evening,
and il was the occasion for the assem-
bling of large and appreciative audi
ence The great building was hand
somelv decorated with bunting and the
stage banked with floral designs. plants
and ferns. The back ground of the plat
form was of white and in lattersot ever
green was emhla2oned the appropriate
class motto. The end, vet the begin
ming" with the class colors, pink and
silver, predomiuating IA stage decora-
tions The city orchestra, vocal and
instrumental numbers We're OF the best
character The class formed semi
circle o the rostrum with Prof Pearson
as program announcer 1t was tine
exhibition of young life taking the first
step from the best our schools guarantee,
some to the stern walks of active life,
Others to higher courts oflearning. The
class numbered four young men and
twelve young women, as follows; Bes-
sic Cobb. Barbara Munsou Thomas
Bentsou, Geneva Graves. Blaine Cade,
Martha Neprrd. Lqrs kqlvestran. Myr-
tie Shanks, Harry u lhl, Effie Ady, Mat
tie Henry, Ida Diusdale, Genevieve
Harris. Nettie Lyons, Hattie Switzsr,
aud Helen Munson.
Rev John A Stemen offered timely
aud feeling prayer in opening the sxer-
cises, aud Rev JOAN Tresidder pro-
nouucad the benediction at the eonclus-
ion. Prof. Pear ION presented diplomas
on behalf of she board of education. He
also delivered an address of farewell
that demonstrated the deep feeling he
felt at severing the ties that bound him
self and his co-workers to the class.
His advice was most timely and inspir-
ing. and if rigidly observed by his young
friends would do much to tighten the
cares and responsibilities OF future
years and pave the way for high reward
as useful and influential women and
men and citizens.
Seven of the class delivered orations
or read essays during the evening. Each
took a particular subject and brought
out facts and conclusions. They re
all we'll delivered and elected commend
able applause.
Miss Myrtle Shanks was first to step
before the footlights and speak. Her
subject was ~ he Personality of Phi lips
Brooks. the great preacher and philan-
thropist, whom Miss Shanks crowned
a. one of the grandest men OF his age in
his efforts TO christianize the world and
for the betterment of mankind. The
oration was presented in splendid
voice and with pleasing effect.
Bessie Cobb, in her essay on 'Puri-
tan and Puritanism'' dealt very ably
with the early customs and institutions
of the Puritans, their struggles against
the despotic rule of the English sover-
eigus. of their departure for America,
their influence on America and England,
morally and spiritually.
In her essay, the Rise of the Drama.
Geneva Graves traced the evolution of
the drama from its origin to the present
time. The great advancement Of The
drama was attributed TO Shakespeare.
The Press, was the theme of Bar
bara Munson's Grafton, who spoke Of
the advancement, the liberty, influence,
abuses and duty of this great power for
good or evil.
Botany as applied TO the use of Agri-
culture, was we'll demonstrated by
Blaine Cade in his Grafton. 1t is use
full and greatly strengthens agriculture
when carefully and intelligently applied.
Nettie Lyons expatiated on the I'm
portance of the study of Children sot'
ting forth the great injustice done 70
them by teachers and parents who do
not make study OF the habits. and pc
culiarities of those tender branches plac-
ed in their care.
Lars Kalvestrand's Grafton was sci
entific treatise upon Heat and its Trans
formation. 1t was carefully prepared,
explaining the different phenomena of
heat.
CLASS DAY EXERCISES.
This feature of commencement week
ia a new departure for our high school.
The exercises were held in Opera house,
Wednesday evening, attended by large
number of people who are interested in
our school affairs Miss Bessie Cobb, as
president Of the senior class, presided
over the exercises The program open
ed with music by the Viroqua orchestra,
followed by an address of welcome by
Martha Neprud Genevieve Harris
gave the history Of the class, dwelling
in detail upon their present achievements
and splendid future In her class poem
Helen Munson took the opportunity of
giving local hits at her class friends, tell
| ing class Jokes This was followed with
a vocal solo by Miss Kate Edwards Of
the class Of '03 Hattie Switzer present
ed tha senicr latchet TO the junior class,
with muCn aivice as 10 how they must
"chop" their way through all difficulties,
The implemeot wss received by Fantus
Wyman, the Junior president who gave
a very appropriate response Eflis Ady
and Ida Dinsdale as two Bachelor
Maids, "humorously turned the leaves Of
! their albums, which consisted of clever
silhouettes o. the members. predicted
| the future Of each Of the class of 1902.
| This was followed by vocal duet by
/ Misses Mary Coffiand and Hazsl s. ith
| OF the classes 03 and '04 respectively.
/ Thomas Bentson presented the senior
/ farewell Offering to the school. The
/ Offering was pretty landscape picture
/ which is TO fad place on the walls Of
/ the high school room. Prof Pearson,
/ in behalf of the school. received the gift
and made some very fitting remarks.
Music by the orchestra was followed
I bya two act farce entitled The Servant
! Girl Problem. with seven participants
raf r. Ii