The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-28
VIEWPOINT

The graduating exercises of the class of 1909 of the Newtown High school were held in the town hall, Friday eyo ening. The class was composed of 10 young ladies and three young gentle men. they being Florence Glover Beecher, Mary Helena Blake, Gertrude Louise Bradley, Helen Frances Houli- han. Anna Loretta Keane Mary Ther- esq Kelly, Catherine Agnes Lynch, Mary Ellen Lynch, Thomas Francis Lynch, Anna Harriet Ruffles. Benja- The hall was beautifully and neatly decorated in green and gold, the class colors The class motto "Step by Step, in gold lettering on a sono background of. green over the middle of the platform. with ''N- H. s." and figures 1909 made of daisies, the class flower, on either side presented de cidedly neat and restful picture. The 12 graduates and staff Of teacners,
 Principal Curtis E. Cook. Miss Lulu Roberts and Miss Mary Butler. occu- pied the middle platform. On the right were seated the members or the Board of Education and High Schooi committee, and on the left Rev. Pat rick Fox, Rev. Alexander Steele. ana Hon. George E. Hill. The program was opened with an invocation by Rev; Alexander Steele which was foiloweo by the singing of Soldiers Chorus from Faust The salutatory was de- livered by Miss Helen Frances Houl1- han in a fine manner and this young lady was obliged to return to the front amidst much applause Essays were presented by Florence Glover Beecher, the subject being The Founder of the American Navy; Anna Harriet Ruff fles. whose subject was "One or Amer ica's Greatest Literary Men", and Ger trude Louise Bradley, who set forth the life and character of Martha Washington Great interest was manifested on the part of the very large audience during the reading of the essays, which were received with hearty applause. as was also an ora tion "The Development of Electricity by Benjamin Day Smith. Earle Nal colm Taber of Brookfield carried the entire gathering in his valedictory ad- dress which brought forth storm or persistent applause until this young gentleman responded with a. DOW The diplomas were presented by Allison F: Smith, chairman of the High School committed A fine address to the graduates was delivered by Hon. Geo. E. Hill and the program closed with the benediction by Rev. Patrick Fox Prizes were awarded as follows: For best essay on "Lncoln'S Place in H1S- tory'', 1st, Anna Ruffles. $5 in gold 2d. Lena Blake, S2.50 in gold. scholar ship, Helen Houlihan, s in gold. Sen for English, Florence Beecher, s5 in gold. Sd year French, Helen Hou1- han, s5 in gold; 2d, Anna Ruffles, $2:5o in gold. Principals prize of LoWelfs and whittier's poems. 2d year German, Earle Peck 1st year German. Lena Blake. Prize offered by Mrs. George F. Taylor for Scholarship In three lower classes, set of books, was award ed to Helen Keane; IS Newtown L1- brary memberships given by the Mems Literary Club to the three highest in each of the five classes were awarded as follows: Senior, Florence Beecher, Helen Houlihan. Anna Ruffles; junior, Earle Peck, Percy Platt, Rychie Ve- ness: sophomore, Nora Blake, Mary Fairchild. Mary Lynch; freshmen, Jesse Bailey, Helen Keane. Edith Northrop; sub freshmen, Helen Kill bride, Kathryn Lang, Bessie Ruffles. A pleasant feature at the close of the program was the presentation of pic, ture representing '"The Roman Forum by Thomas Lynch in behalf of the graduates to the school. Earle Peck made the response in behalf of the school in accepting the gift Another pleasing surprise was the presentation following members of the baseball team who were so loyal and did such good work on the team during the term: John Houlihan, Phillip Morris, William Driscoll, Richard Carmody, Michael Blake, Percy Platt, Earle Ta- Der, Jesse Bailey. Benjamin Smith Elroy C. Smith of Brookfield, who has been valued on the team as pitcher, was presented by the school nine with a set of gold studs. The exercises in cess showing marked improvement and progress in the closing of the fifth year of the establishment of the New town High school
 gregational Notes-Rev. Alexan- der Steele took his text from the 51st Psalm -11th verse, subject How Power Lost" The executive committee of the Mems Federation will meet Thurs day evening after prayer meeting.