The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-28

Winner First Barnum Prize. prise to the audience that MT. Irwin secured first prize when the literary and rhetorical marks were averaged.
 Robert Newton Blakeslee created a favorable impression upon his audi tors. His essay, '"The Panama Can al," was compelling in it's style and of sufficient brevity to cause a slight tremor of regret at its conclusion. His delivery was clear and straight was to the effect that, had there been @ third prize, MT. Blakeslee would have secured it. This announcement was subsequently, made by Superin- tendent Deane.
 In presenting the prizes, s3o in to Miss Laing, the superintendent took occasion to say that the nasty judgment of the audience should not outweigh that of the literary com mittee, should these decisions not coincide. He stated that the com considering at leisure the relative values of the various essays when they read these papers prior to their delivery.
 Augmenting the Barnum prizes, four other awards were given last even- ing by the superintendent These were the Fairchi1d prize for the student demonstrating the greatest proficiency in the science of chemistry, $10 in gold, golden eagle donated by the com mercial class of 1909 for the commer- cial student displaying the highest inn provement in his senior year as com- pared with his junior, and $5 in gold each to the young man and the young woman manifesting the most signal improvement during the academic sen for year. The last named awards were contributed by the class of 1908.
 The Fairchild prize was secured by Robert Newton Blakeslee, honorable mention being given Herbert Arthur Bedworth. The commercial eagle was captured by Elsie Marie Stackman, William Draper Savage and Grace Udell Rftch were each richer by five dollars at the termination of the even- ing's exercises.
 was the delivering of the valedictory by the pupil attaining the highest sta ndard during the entilsk four years course. The distinction was accorded Annie Murray Laing.
 Annie Murray Laing, valedictorian, class historian and Barnum prize speaker, has been an honor pupil since the inception of her educational ca reer. Her elementary (and most inn portant) training was begun in the dilapidated little one-story building known as the Mill Green school. Arch itectural magnificence did not count for everything, however, at the ter ceived the honor certificate and the re- putation of an absolutely perfect scholar during the first grade. Her standing was essentially as good in the other grades of the school. When,
 with her classmates, she entered Bar ~1y the teacher there voluntarily inform ed Mrs. A. A. Conger (the principal and instructor of the fourth and fifth grades in Mill Greenl that this was the incest class she had ever receiv- ed. Miss Laings record as honor stu
 dent was continued throughout the four years of the High school, and her selection as valedictorian was long an- ticipated by her associates.
 In presenting the diplomas, Super intendent Deane congratulated the
 candidates upon the achievement of
 their graduation. and quoted the valedictorian in his reference to them
 as a product of the public schools. He urged upon them the necessity of giving to the world the highest ser vice of which they were capable, whether of the hand the intellect or wages or salary concordant with ser | vice rendered should always be re- garded as an incentive to the exer- else of an individuals highest pow CTS, the superintendent stated that | other considerations are of greater | importance. Of those who are born
 great, who achieve greatness or who have greatness thrust upon them, the
 ones achieving greatness are the only ones who last. ''The world does not | owe you a living" said Superintend-
 ent Deane. ''but you owe the world a great service. Let it be VOLT aim | to discharge your obligation to the | fullest extent of your powers" The concluding feature of the pro- gram was the singing of the class hymn by the graduates. The words | of the parting song were the com position of Margaret Mary Keane,
 and were set to music by Ethel Mar guerite Poland.