Norwich bulletin., 1913-06-17

tie and loving hearted, a noble leader l among the boys, fine exemplar of 1 truth honor and justice, and when he i decided to enter the ministry those 1 who knew him felt that his had always been a consecrated life.
 1 An artist has painted a picture rep resenting the different periods in a mans life, and as the pilgrim rises to the height of the half circle which l typif1ed his fifty years, he stops and ]! looks back son the incidents of his youth and manhood. so now we in the spirit of 1861-65 have glanced a mo- ment on the past. again we hear the drum beat the roll call We see the l Grays' marching with measured tread on the front lawn, the boys playing ball on the campus, and we part with i the sincere love for our N. F. A. and a prayer for guidance to all who enter here.
 Old Time Graduation Exhausting.
 Mrs. J. M. Huntington, '62, also gave an interesting talk on the same period, and exhibited a graduation programme of 1862. She spoke of differences be- tween the graduation exercises of that day and the present time. The exer- ciss, she said, usually lasted from 230 to dark, taking place In July. With the William Perkins prize reading, which preceded the graduation exer- cfses by one day, the parents and friends were generally pretty well ex hausted at the close. At one time, she said, there were 39 contestants for the reading prize so that the programme of necessity occupied a number of hours Mrs. Huntington spoke of the recognition of the significance of the American flag and of the reverence now held for it in comparison with the days before the war, when a flag was a rare sight
 In closing Mrs. Huntington spoke of the devotion and sacrifice of the men who made the Academy a possibility Responses from Other Classes.
 Julian L Williams responded for the class of 1903, speaking of the reunion held preceding the alumni meeting. Though the class was scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific and as far south as Cuba, he said there was but one member from whom no response was received.
 President Raymond B, Case re- sponded for the class of 1908, which held it's first reunion earlier in the evening, President Case stated that there were but two who had failed to appear at the reunion or to send some word to the class, MT. Case said that there had been six marriages in the class, and that engagements had brek- en out like measles. He knew of half dozen, he said, and was suspicious of several more
 Mir. Case said that there had been but one death in the class, that of 5. Winship Case. President Case spoke of the ehviable record established by the departed and said that his record of accomplishments should be an in- spiratieH te others.
 For the Class of 1913.
 President Edward Mckay of the graduating class spoke briefly, saying that he hoped in the years to come the members of his class might be able te come before the alumni with records of which the school and the associa- tion need not be ashamed.
 Tributes to pr. Pratt and W. 4. ,Bris-
 ese.
 Francis J. Leavens of the beard of trustees of the Academy spoke of the noble life and character of the late president of the board, Rev. Lewellyn Pratt, "ene whose hand we were always glad to grasp, whose words we gladly welcomed, whose face was a benediction to any audience, and one whose face we shall see no more, and whose words we shall no more hear" They say that corporations have no souls, but I believe that this corporation has ,heart-a heart which throbs with thanksgiving for what he accomplished here in twenty years at the head of the board of trustees, and with sorrow at the great loss by his death
 Mr. Leavens told of Dr. Pratt's ex-i perience as an educator and of his de- Those of us who know what he brought to the school can appreciate what he did We have together met great loss
 There are now two vacancies on the board, the other caused by the death of Willis A. Briscoe, another who will be missed greatly
 Pratt. but let each one of US strive to do a little more to help make the Nor wich Free Academy better place for those who are to come.
 Principal Henry A. Tirrell said that the biggest opportunity for the edu- cator was in changing the blind op timism of youth into the optimism which leads the person to strive for the things that are best and highest MT Tirrell also paid a fitting tribute to pr. Pratt
 Changes in Teachers.
 During the coming year MT. Tirrell said that the Academy was to lose two teachers, Miss Parker, who is going abroad. and Miss Marjorie Browning, who Is to teach at a school in Prince ton Miss Crocker has been secured to teach French and Miss Sutton for elementary English and mathematics. The school is growing faster than we wish, said Mr. Tirre1l. and it will prob ably be necessary to secure other teachers when the fall term opens. Though 16o is the largest entering class we have ever had. I anticipate class of over 200 in the fall. Five of our teachers are to go abroad this summer to further develop their abilities. In closing MT Tirrell spoke of the de- votion of all the teachers to their work.
 Officers Elected.
 The report of the nominating com- mittee. composed of Weston c. Pullen, was accepted and the following officers elected President. Joseph T. Tanning; 1 vice president. Allyn l.. Brown; secre- tary, Walter F. Gilbert assistant sec- retary, Miss Louise Howe; treasurer. | Guy B, Dolbeare; executive committee for four years, Miss Natalie K. Gibbs. 1 Miss Edith Young; to fill unexpired terms of Mrs Grosvenor Ely and Noah | Lucas, resigned, Miss Louise Fuller | and Herbert B. Cary.
 President Tanning Speaks.
 The newly elected president, Attor-- ney Joseph T. Tanning, a member or he class of 'T6, then took charge Of the meeting. He spoke of the purpose l of the Alumni association. to keep the f feeling of fellowship and the school spirit which made the student days at | N r. A such pleasant ones. in speak ng of the earnest efforts or the foun- iers of the Academy, MT. Tanning re- serred to the institution as having made Norwich a city of which all New H,n gland ia and may well be prOI j..