Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-06-21
CLOSE OF wHlrcoMB HIGH.
Unique Exercises that Attracted a
Large Assemblage.

Large Assemblsge.
The large crowds OF townspeople that
gathered last week Wednesday afternoon
and evening in the Town hall to listen to
the commencement exercises OF the class
OF 1905 testified perhaps as eloquently to
the interest shown In these occasions as
anything could. The hall was comforta-
bly filled in the afternoon and uncom-
fortably packed in the evening. The hall
had been decorated with skill by the under
classes OF the High school and the stage
was a bower OF beauty in green and gold.
High above all was displayed the class
motto-"No legacy is so rich as honesty"
Unusual interest was aroused in the ex-
ercises from the fact that the custom OF
permitting the graduates to write upon
various subj cts of their own choice was
departed from and one central topic was
chosen, around which were clustered the
exercis OF both morning and evening.
II seems as II nothing could have been
more appropriate for high school class
to handle than the life and works of Will
liam Shakespeare, the greatest OF English
writers. More than this, the disciplinary
value OF a concerted and conscientious
study OF the works OF the great dramatist
cannot be overestimated. Few OF those
present at the graduation exercises appre-
ciate the immense amount OF work, both
IN study OF the authors works and in
original research, which the members of
the class performed. II began months
ago with a class organized by the princi-
pal OF the school for the study OF Shakes
peare's plays, and was continued up to
the very day of graduation. The result
was naturally one OF the best prepared and
most finished programs in the history OF
the school. We venture to say that, be-
cause OF this. no class has ever gone out Of
In
and facts OF the best English literature
than the class OF 1906
The afternoon exercises consisted of
general resume OF the known facts con-
corning the poets life and works, and
co assisted Of essays upon "The Eliza bethan
Theatre" by Miss Laura Marsh; "Shakes-
peare. the Man, by Gladys Clough; and
Miss Harriet Clafiin. There was also an
essay upon the Merchant OF Venice by
Miss Sarah Rhoades, and the famous court /
scene from that play was given, with Miss
Olivia johnson as Portia, lvers Hackett as
Shylock and James Wilson as the Duke OF /
Venice, the minor parts being taken by /
other members OF the class. A pleasing |
feature OF the afternoon program, also an |
was the singing Of a number 1
Of songs by the entire school, under the |
of Miss Edith Greene, teacher OF |
music.
The evening exercises continued the
idea OF the previous ones and consisted OF /
an essay upon Macbeth, by Miss Nellie /
Clafiin, and a scene from that play, with \
Hiss Josie WEIGH as Lady Macbeth and !
Henry TupTer as Macbeth; an essay enti-
tied "Prince Hal" BY Miss Margaret /
Clark and a scene from Henry W., with |
Benjamin Rogers as Prince Hal and Ralph
shaw as Falstaff; an essay upon Henry
VIII by Katherine Mccormack; and the
scene from that play by
Leroy Havey as Wolsey. Whittier's or
'hestra rendered music during the even
ng.
In comment upon the exercises. to say
hat some OF the members OF the class did
better than Others would not be the
ruth To be sure some were handicapped
~ voices scarcely strong enough for
ipeaking in our famous orator killing
Town hall, some were more easy in the
presence of the audience than others, but
ach and every one showed careful. pains
taking work and an absolute desire to
rive the best they had as best they could
There was not one piece OF slovenly work
n the entire exercises; not one pupil OF
whom the townspeople had any cause to
,e ashamed.
Previous to the presentation of diplomas,
he audience had the privilege OF listening
o Mason S. Stone, state superintendent OF
ducation. Mr.. Stone came Unexpectedly
nd, though unprepared, spoke interest
ngly and helpfully upon the subject of
Accuracy in Daily Life" taking as his
ext the class motto.
Probably to the graduates and to not a
ew of the audience the most interesting
vent OF the evening was the presentation
Il diplomas which carry with them such a
wealth of memory, of meaning and OF
rope. They were presented with a few
nipple, earnest words by the principal of
he school, George 5. Wright. Directly
the exercises. the class of 1906
eceived its friends upon the stage of the
lall and the evening closed with the an
lual alumni ball.
Class roll-Nellie Zelia Claflin, Harriet
ISABELLE Ciahin, Ethel Margaret Clark,
iladys Pearl Clough, Ivers Alfred Hackett,
.eroy Austin Havey, Olivia May Johnson,
aura Elizabeth Marsh, Katherine Mae
Mccormack, Sarah Angeline Rhosdes,
Benjamin Dennis Rogers, Ralph Potter
'haw, Henry Andrew upper, Mary jose
'hine WEIGH, James Herbert Wilson.