The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-06-15
CLASS OF 'O5 FINISH.
The Commencement Exercises of the
Leon High School Held at the
Opera Hall Friday Evening.

No truer sentiment ever found utter
ence from true American than that
proclaimed by Lowell when he said:-
"What made our Revolution foregone
conclusion was the act of the General
Court, passed in May, 1647, which es-
tablished the system of public schools"
If, then, our common school system is
the father of our liberty, what more
natural than that pride and loyalty be
entertained for it in the hearts of our
people? This sentiment finds occasional
outward manifestation, as on the
celebration of Washington's and Lin
coins birthdays, Arbor day and other
chosen special holidays during the
school year, but it's chief interest has
come to be centred around Commence
ment,' or the exercises attending the
closing week of the school year and
the graduation of it's senior class.
On this occasion may be noted a
demonstration equal to the depth of
feeling entertained in our hearts for
this, the greatest of American institu-
tions.
The past week in Leon was no
exception to this general rule; and it's
results it now becomes our pleasant
duty to record.
The entertainment of the class of 1905
by Prof. and Mrs. Pierce on the evening
of June 3rd was the beginning of the
week of honors shown them. OF this
and the class reception we spoke last
week; also of the splendid baccalaureate
sermon which was published in full in
these columns.
On Friday afternoon the closing
exercises of the schools were given in
the high school room at the north
school building and were attended by
many parents and patrons.
A representative number was given
by each grade and these showed care
full preparation on the part of the
teachers and pupils. The May-pole
drill by the 1st grade and the Red
Riding-hood drill by End and 3rd grades
were especially pleasing features.
The climax of the week as we'll as the
year, was, however, reached on Friday
evening when the class of eight young
people received their diplomas, in the
presence of large audience at the
opera house.
When the curtain rose at s o'clock
beautiful scene greeted the eye. The
class color scheme was most tastefully
carried out, the flies and side scenes
being covered with bunting in crimson
and gold while the same colors predom-
mated in the flower decorations.
Palms and roses were everywhere in
profusion. The central decoration was
indeed beautiful, being large triple
mirror at the rear of the stage, garland
ed with vines and roses, in front of
which played and sparkled fountain
of clear water. Above this was sus-
pended the class motto Labor Conquers
All" in large letters of red roses on a
ground of gold.
On either side of this center piece,
ranged in circle, sat the eight grad
yates, Supt. Pierce, Mrs. A. NJ. Pitcher,
the orator Of the occasion, and V. R.
McGinnis, president of the school board
Following is the:
| PROGRAM
Invocation: Rev. W. A. Montgomery
Music. Orchestra
Duet Mrs. w. e. Myers, Florence Finley
Class Ola.ion....... ...... Vivian Beard
Quartette - Marie Moore, Ray
| Layton, Leslie Grimes, Florence Finley
Address s........., Mrs. A. M. Pitcher
/ Music .... Orchestra
| Presentation of Diplomas ...............
.....-....................... W. r. McGinnis
Benediction ............. Rev. A. NJ. Pitcher