The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1915-05-28
'RADUAT|NG EXERCISES
'irst Class to Complete High
School Course From Oro-
vile Public School

One of the most important events
the history of the OrOville public
khool. secondary hardly to the con-
|ructiop of the big, handsome brick
hiding, took place last Friday even
Ag. in the high school auditorium,
hen a class of four pupils consisting
Miss Helen H. Johnston, William
Cole Beverley Powell and Winfred
air. were presented with diplomas
graduation after having success
lily and creditably attained that i'm
crtant object that should be the aim
every public school pupil, the COM
etiOn of the high school course The
pecial significance and importance
the occasion rested upon the fact
lat this was the first class to gradu-
ke from the local high school, and al
kOugh not large in numbers it was
lie initatOry step that will be follow
in years to come with larger, if not
lore worthy, classes. Yet even if
asses hencefOrth graduate every
Ear the proud distinction of being the
rst graduates of the Oroville high
choOl will be a pleasant memory to
bose who were of the first gradua-
ion class during the remainder of
heir lives.
To those present it marked an epoch
the local school, and it is certain
hey will not soon forget the exercises,
those who participated in those ex-
Fcises, and what those exercises
land for. This graduation is a recog-
ition that the local institution is now
p accredited high school where every
|bung boy or girl seeking an educa-
on can prepare himself, or herself,
pr entrance into college. Long have
be people Of the place hoped to see
Pc OrOville school attain the posi-
Jon it now holds among sister educa-
(onal institutions of the state, and
low that high school course is as
pred pupils that cast their lot with
pc local school it may be expected
pat many bright, promising and am
Ftious young men and women from
ne surrounding country will take ad-
|antage OF the opport Unity for ad-
|ancement presented by the Oroville
|chool. But the satisfaction of the
|udlence in gaining the long desired
|ccredited high school was secondary
2 the interest taken in the individual
MEMBERS of the first graduating class.
\ was not large class in point of
lumbers but in character, in personal
appearance, in general department in
md out of school, in standard of effic-
cncy in studies, in intellectual ability
ne personnel of this class will stand
with any that has gradu-
tied in the state. 1t is human nature
o be at least slightly biased in favor
}. anything pertaining to ones i'm
MEDIATE locality, yet knowing the
heLlbers of the first graduating class
y the Oroville high school we feel
nat such statement is not flattering
he young people who made up the
lonor roll, and are satisfied that in
ne years to come the members of that
lass will carve out Tor themselves
honorable careers and make their
mark in the world.
On this occasion a large audience
assembled in the auditorium, compos-
~ Doth of scholars and patrons of the
chool. Intense interest was mani
ested in the proceedings, and the
oung graduates as they delivered
heir essays were given the closest
lttention and their efforts warmly ap-
'lauded. The school and class colors
we're In evidence in the form of dec
'ratlons. On the stage was seated,
BESIDES the four graduates, Rev. G..
severance, who had been selected
o deliver the graduating address,
'rof. N. B. Nance, and E. e. Parsons,
epresenting the board of school di-
ectors. The program opened with
longs by the German class, and sew
raj well rendered musical numbers
we're interspersed through the sub
equent proceedings.
Miss Helen L. Johnston had select
N Tor her essay The Value of an
which is given herewith
Il full:
II Ignorance We're bliss, 'twere folly
o De Wise,' says Keats, but since our
nst parents tasted of the forbidden fruit
i, ~ tue Garden of Eden man has gone on
'urstlng FOR wisdom.
me history of education is one of the
u fost interesting phases of the evolution
n y, man 1t may be said to have begun
with the school of the phil
'nhopiter body of students who gathered
,oout the sages of the ancient east. This
vas as the germ of the school, and from II
,"rNeioped regular courses of learning. TIC
Una una belongs the palm for having first
nJiou .h9 intellectual above the physical
nuia ,rii,a ana Egypt both produced men OF
u 'lillaht intellect, whose scientific discov-
res res are among the important facts OF
MODERN science.
II II was In Greece that intellectual de-
,,eiiopnent reached it's highest plane, a
,,n ,e,SHt which in some lines the modern
World has scarcely been able to attain
T. ne ldea of developing a fully rounded
imiuSaiVldual by means of education along
deal. - '''
ne Romans, the next great empire tC
hhtiuehce the world. borrowed much o1
,.o ieir education from the Greeks. but they
were nation of LAWYERS and rulers. Z
ace ace IN which the practical genius over
'tnauoWed the aesthetic. Nevertheless
'tuucation held a high place in their ma.
loiai lfe. and they established many
'chools and universities, even giving ed.
ication to women. The university o.