The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1907-02-07
MIDWINTER COMMENCEMENT.
Class Of Two Receive Diplomas OF
Graduation at North Side
High School.


is organized on the semester plan, is the
only Manitowoc city or county public
school that graduates two classes year.
The semester plan in the school men,
toned was inaugurated several years ago.
While as rule the school has large
midwinter class as well as large June
graduating class, this years midwinter
class numbered but two members Miss
Lottie Emile Abel and Miss Adeline
A. Pickard
The assembly room, in which the
graduation exercises were held last
Thursday evening, was very tastily deco
rated in white and green, the class col
ors; and the class flower, the white rose
was in evidence on the rostrum, where
the two graduates, attired in white, oc
cupied seats. The attendance was very
large, every seat in the large auditorium
being occupied
The opening number of the program
was an overture by the high school
orchestra under the direction of Miss
Ethel Hanson musical director at the
school. The selection was well rendered
and marked most enjoyable beginning
of program whose character and rendi-
tion reflected credit on the teachers and
students of the school An address of
welcome, couched in appropriate words,
and delivered with agreeable expression,
was given by Lottie Emile Abel.
This was followed by an enjoyable selec-
tion by trio composed of Ethel Han
son, Catherine Cary and Miss Reardon
The next number was a presentation
by Adeline A. Pickard whose subject
was PLANT Wizard and His Works "
This was fine effort in which the
speaker set forth, in commendable
phraseology and with no little eloquence
the marked achievements of Luther Bur
bank in the realm of experimental horti
culture.
Then came delightful chorus by six
teen girls-the Girls Glee club-direct.
ed by Miss Hanson. Following this
came presentation by Lottie E. Abel,
whose theme was The Cry of the Chill
dren." This was a we'll worded plea for
the amelioration of existing industrial
conditions affecting the lives of the chill
dren of the poor in mining and manu-
featuring centers the country over. The
lamentable results of child labor were
pointed out by the speaker, The diff,
culties besetting the efforts of legislators
and others desirous of effecting the
betterment of the lives Of the children
of the poor were emphasized. AS q
partial remedy for the evil in question
the rigid enforcement of compulsory
education laws was advocated in a
laudable manner.
After this presentation came an en-.
joyable vocal solo by Ethel NJ Hanson.
This was followed by the presentation
of the torch by Adeline Pickard on be-
half of her class, and the acceptance oe
the torch by Charles Sladky on behalf of
the class that is to graduate next June.
The next number of the program was
an admirable dramatic reading by Elma
Nilsson. This was received with much
favor, and Miss Nilsson responded to an
encore by reciting, with excellent elocu-
tionary effect, another selection.
The next number of the program was
Presentation of Diplomas by Prin. Paul
G. W. Keller. Before presenting the
diplomas, Mr.. Keller delivered brief
address in which he gave expression to
both practical and philosophical views as
to the scope and true purpose of educa.
ton. He opened his remarks by point
ing out the fact that midwinter is Just
as appropriate time for commencement
as is the month of June. Nidwinter,
the speaker thought, was, in sense, the
most suitable time for graduation; for
in the winter, in the zone inhabited by
the standard bearers of civilization, the
ground was covered with mantle of
snow and ice by which an abundance of
dormant life was hidden from superficial
observation, 50 that to perceive under
stand and appreciate the life in trees
and buds; to examine the wonderful
phenomenon of capitalization as exem-
plified by the beautiful crystalline forms
of snowhakes, the weirdly attractive
paintings" placed upon window -panes
by that master artist, Jack Frost, all
these things, and a thousand others, re.
quired the exercise of thought, the in.
telligent use of the eye, the cultivation
of the observing powers, and the develop.
ment Of healthy sentiment and spiritual
insight. Now, therefore, as commence.
ment should be time of thought and
refection-pre- eminently time when
those about to enter upon the arena Of
that larger school life offered by mans
activity in the several walks of life
should penetrate the more or less de.
ceptive surface and enter the realm of
far-reaching truth and form some con.
ception of mans aim and end, and get a
glimpse of the true function and pur.
pose of education, therefore, the holding
Of commencement in midwinter was, ia
sense, the speaker thought, well calcu-
lsted to assist the graduates, in entering
upon the duties Of life, to entertain right
views of education aud the responsible