The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1914-06-18

the names of those early students are
still familiar in our midst. The his
tory told many details of the former
school life of our town and the compa-
days were most carefully considered
in connection with those of the pre-
sent.
Phebe Edgecomb Chase gave
splendid essay on THE Country Girl
of Yesterday and Today" In this
Miss Chase depicted the young wo-
man of fifty years ago and those OF
the present. She touched upon the
lure of the city while the modern meth
DDS surrounding the country girl to-
day We're explained as tending to
greatly deYelope her judgment be
yond the intellect of her ancestor of a
half century back She suggested that
all work for the preservation and bet
terment of the true country life and
said 1T is then the mission of us
country girls to obtain our education,
carry it back and make the country
girls and boys fit to become the NO
men and men of tomorrow"
An exceedingly practical essay was
given by Barbara Mitchell Weston
upon Vocational Training in the
Skowhegan Schools. In we'll
worded and concise manner she told
of the three distinct lines in which
this training is taken up in our midst
namely the COMMERCIAL Manual
Training and Domestic Science de-
partments. She aptly described each
of the three courses and her listeners
of the older generation certainly be-
came well yersed in the details con
nccted with the teaching of these
modern ideas. The keynote of her
essay might we'll be termed as being
contained in the words of her closing
sentence; 1t Is the express duty of
each student to make tic most OF
these opportunities in training Tor
greater efficiency in life"
"SkoWhegan Authors was the
subject of Alice Gary Barker's essay.
Through this splendid effort on the
part Of Miss Barker. the people of the
present Skowhegan were brought
more closely in touch with some of the
local writer's of verse and prose who
are now deceased. Among those
were mentioned Miss Roxana Weston,
| Harriet Augusta Nash and Lillian
| Clayton Smith. Edmund Z. Dole was
also recalled and doubtless many per
sons in the audience were gratited
to learn that he is still living, his
The closing words of the interesting
home being in Seattle, Washington
story of our honored authors eX-
pressed thoughtful tribute as we'll
for our present day writer's.
Mahlon Russell Gerrish, as the ora
tor of the evening was indeed sue
cessful in imparting the truth Of his
! convictions to those present. His
message was voiced upon the Resolve
THAT Skowhegan Should Adopt a
Commission form of municipal gov
eminent and in charter form general
| ly. Statistics SO necessary to make
successful plea followed and step
| by step he conytdctHgly led his lis
| teners to sfe the Improvement such a
change in government would make in
municipal betterment for WBegan
"a government of the people, by she
people and for the people"
The yaledictorian, Olive Drusilla
Cleveland. gave a splendid resume of
the life of Mary Antin, in her essay
on this subject Beginning with the
childhood of this wonderful Jewish
woman, she aptly and interestingly
depicted the wonders of her career.
Miss Cleveland said in her last fare
we'll as yaledctorian of her class I'VE
go hence, as did Mary Antin to The
Promised Land of our future; and
may we go with Mary Antins spirit,
with her strong hope and abiding
faith that all will be we'll with us if
We perform our duty faithfully in
whatever sphere or calling We may
be. As we separate let us forget our
trivial prejudiccs. if any We may have
against each other, cherishing the
memory of our fellowship in Skowhe-
gan High School as one of the most
precious POSSESSIONS A tribute of
esteem was also expressed for the
teachers and blessing for the lower
classes.
Towne's orchestra rendered several
selections during the progress of the
speaking and the diplomas were con
ferred by Thomas G. Lord. chairman
of the school board His remarks
were brief, but with a sincerely of eX
preston he wished the class God
speed in behalf of the citizens of the
town.
Principal Leighton then announced
the awarding, of the Shepherd prizes,
the gift of the late Russell b. Shep-
herd as follows: Senior class: First,
1. u f.r t.at