The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-06-25
Individuality Being Theme
Of His Talk To Class
Certificates Of Promotion
Awarded At This Time

1t was indeed educative and in
structive to attend the And annual
commencement of st. Vincent de
Paul's high school Monday evening
In the auditorium of the parochial
schools, and hear orations and essays
covering every branch of the liberal
arts; 1t was indeed elevating to hear
discussed four abstract subjects, deal
ing with four ethical traits, enthusi-
asm, happiness, patriotism and truth,
and IL was indeed refreshing to sit
through commencement exercises of
o type rapidly vanishing, in which
every member of the graduating class
has something to display as the by
product or rather the essence of his
or her four years labor.
The auditorium was filled to such
a capacity that extra chairs had to be
placed in the side aisles that all
might have an opportunity to view
comfortably the proceedings of the
evening. Black and gold predominant
ed everywhere as the colors of the
graduating class. A grotto-like ef
feet was achieved in the decoration
OF the stage with the colored stream
ers. while delightful freshness was
impaired to the stage picture by the
presence Of seasonable flowers, with
background of moss and ferns.
From the first chord on the piano,
struck by Miss Doris Branigan, to the
last ringing tones of chorus of care
fully trained girl singers, rapt atten-
tion was paid by the audience to the
proceedings and an unusually apprec-
fative feeling seemed to prevail on all
sides, judging by comments heard at
the conclusion of the exercises.
Each Grafton and each essay repre-.
scented in Substance, mode Of expires.
sion and quality OF delivery many
hours OF hard toll on the part of the
speaker in achieving an effect which
would represent the best the speaker
had to offer The piano solos were
well received, while chorus numbers
were heartily applauded. A number
OF small boys, with a hunting song in
which many shifts of position took
place, proved decidedly attractive to
the audience and bespoke careful
training on the part of those In
charge OF the music.
Owing TO an unfortunate combina-
tion of circumstances. Rt. Rev. James
j. Hartley, slated as the speaker OF
the evening, was forced to decline at
the eleventh hour and efforts to fiji
this vacancy were futile. so II de
VOWED upon Rev. l.. w. Mulhane To
assume the double role of presenting
diplomas and giving the class ad
dress.
In presenting the certificates OF
graduation to the class, Rev. Mulhane
dwelt upon the double ideal that the
: parochial schools had attempted to
instili In the youthful mind, namely
the love of God and the love of lit
'erature. This combination, he stated
resulted In ripened and mature
Judgment. Diplomas were then pre-
sented to the following; Paul N. An
areas. Doris Branigan, Mary Ecken
rode. Carl A. Feeney, Marie Agnes
Harrington, Robert Mccormick, vii
liam Paul Mckee, Helen Tulloss. Mar
garet Helen Tighe and Elizabeth
Weber.
individuality was made the burden
and theme of the class address. In
simplifying upon this. Rev. Mulhane
took care to point out the individual
ity evidenced In the program of the
evening. lie politely rebuked schol
ars who barely skim through work
characterizing them as "half.baked
students and lacking altogether In
Individuality. American political and
social history was touched upon fire.