The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1913-05-07
The High School Commencement.

the Court House, IueSday evening, May
8, 1913 The graduating class, composed
of ten mem bers, was an unusually strong
one and reflected great credit not only on
themselves but on their teachers, Mr.. l..
p. White and Miss Ruth Dimond. Their
subjects were new, very interesting and
we'll discussed The decorations, which
consisted of ferns and other pOtted plants,
flowers and pennants, were simple but
vary effective. The music was furnished
by Coleman's orchestra, of Titusvile,
and was up 10 their usual high standard.
Rev W. S. Burton, pastor of the M. E.
church, gave the invocation.
Arlie Dreyer gave an oration on "Eu-
gencs," the science of being well born.
Our latest census reports show that there
are three million people in the United
States not fit 10 be her citizens. The
science of eugenics contends that these
three millions must be eliminated and
none allowed to survive but those NOR
ally, mentally and physically strong. If
this could be done we could rid ourselves
of 70 per cent. of all the drunkards, the
insane, criminals and idiotic persons. By
that time we should have an ideal race
possessing all the essentials of sound
soul, mind and body, and conditions ex.
isting In our cities would be changed.
Ruth Foreman followed with reading,
"a Sisterly Scheme" The selection
was we'll given and sho we'd that the
speaker had great talent.
Mildred Thomson then gave the "Class
History" which covered the three years
of high school work. 1t was very inter-
esting and was given in a charming
manner.
"Modern Agriculture" was the subject
of Irwin Kelley's Grafton. The progress
which agriculture has made is in pro-
portion to other industries. Agriculture
is coming to its own through the applica.
ton OF scientific study and improved
methods. The farmers of Pennsylvania
should not be discouraged. Their land
and climate are adapted for profitable
production and they have good markets
for all their products. Let them remem-
ber the words of the poet:
"And have said it and say It ever,
AS the years go on and the world turns
over,
'Twere better to be content and clever
In the tending of cattle and the tossing of
clover,
In the grazing of cattle and the growing
Of grain,
Than strong man striving for fame or
gain"
In the "Class Prophecy" dated l042,
Arthur Zuver told very cleverly in rhyme
the occupation of his classmates: Irwin
Kelley, president Of the United States;
Arlie Dreyer, a successful preacher;
Gwendolyne Hill, school teacher in Ten
nessee; Arthur Carson, college professor;
Edna Rodda, housekeeper in Lawrence
county; Robert Sigworth, manager of
store in Kalamazoo; Ruth Foreman,
prims donna in New York; Mildred
Thomson, trained nurse; Alice Decker,
governor of Idaho.
The essay, woman as a Factor in
Civic Improvement" by Alice Decker,
was especially good. She gave a COM
plete account of the work done by women
all over the United States aud closed
with an appeal to the women of Tionesta
to follow the same lines of work.
Robert Sigworth delivered an interest
ing and instructive Grafton on the "Pio-
neers of Forest County," in which he
traced the history of the locality from the
earliest times known to the white man
down to the present. This subject was
especially appropriate from the fact that
nearly every one present was native OF
Forest county and naturally interested
in its history.
Gwendolyne Hill discussed "Educa-
tion-Its Advantages" The very process
of education is action, for we learn only
as we use our power. The chief purpose
is that we may do more worthy and fruit
full work in the world, that we may serve
our fellowmen and fulfill higher mis-
sion in life. Knowledge, expression,
thought, character and service are the
elements of education and are open to all
of us. In and through these we should
strive to grow into fuller and finer life.
Webster has said: "If we work upon
marble, it will perish; if we work upon
brass, time will eflace il; if we rear tenn
pies, they will crumble into dust; but If
we work upon mortal minds, if we i'm
bue upon them principles with just fear
of God, we engrave upon these tablets
something which will brighten through
all eternity.
A decidedly new and pleasing feature
of the evening was the "Class Will,"
read by Edna Rodda. In this very clever
production the Glass of 1913 bequeathed
all their desks, books, good nature, mon
ey making propensilies, theatrical talent
ETC., to the Juniors.
In the ValedictOry, the president of the
class, Arthur Carson, made an earnest
appeal to all interested in the high school
to give it their hearty support. lie paid
a glowing tribute to the teachers, direct
ors, and county superintendent, all of
whom have helped raise the standards of
the school to its present state of efficiency.
The diplomas were presented in good
speech by the Presiden' of the Board of
Education, w. c. Incl. Then followed
the class address by Supt. j. j. Palmer,
of Oil City, who proved himselfa pleas
ing and very interesting speaker. A
pleasant feature not set down on the
program was very appropriate speech
by Prot. f. W. Gill, of Tidioute, who
said ne held two-year interest in the
class and was there to claim his interest.
Rev. G. A. Garrett, of the Free Methodist