Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-06-15
MANY PRESENT At
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
COMMENCEMENT
Exercises Demonstrate Great
Change Wrought in School
lie Pupils Complete
Their Studies.

vergennes, June IA distinguished
W. Gates of Franklin. Judge ]. Z.
Weeks of Middlebury chairman of the
State penal board the Rev. u. ]. O'Sul-
Ivan of st. Albans, Representative
c. a. Powell of Richford and Superin-
tendent n. H. Loukes of the house of
correction at Rutland and Mayor G. +.
Stebbins We're guests to-day of Supern-
tendent and Mrs. j. ~ Barss of the
Vermont industrial school at the COM
mencement exercises of the school. a
class of l6 boys and girls who had sue
cessfully completed the school course
which for the first time in the history
of the school includes first year high
school work, were given their diplomas
by Judge Weeks. In addition to the
students who have completed this
course at the industrial school eight
others are students in the sophomore
and junior classes of the Nergennes high
school and one is a member OF the
graduating class of the high school.
The exercises this afternoon demon
strated in convincing fashion the great
change which has been wrought in the
school. changing 1t from a mere reform
atory to school where boys and girls
are educated to become upright men
and women. The gift of complete equip
ment for the school hospital by Mrs,
| J. +. Weeks, which has been needed
for some time was announced to-day.
The guests We're met at the station by
Superintendent Rarss and brought to the
school in automobiles where they We're
entertained at dinner by Superintendent
and Mrs Barss. In addition to the out
of-toWn visitors a number of people from
this city who have been interested in the
work of the school attended the dinner.
! During the meal the school band gave a
concert on the lawn near the administra-
rion building. In the interim between the
dinner and the graduation exercises which
were held at two o'clock in the school
chapel, the visitors were conducted on n
tour of inspection about the grounds,
where everything was found to be in eX-
| celent condition.
The entire school which now num-
bers 2S6 boys and girls attended the
graduation exercises which were pre-
ceded by fine band concert long
and difficult program of recitations
and songs was we'll rendered hy the
participants and the ercrcises We're
opened with the Lords Prayer and
closed by flag salute by the mem
,bers of the graduating class and the
singing of America by the audience,
The dominant note of the entire aft
ernoons proceedings was the deter
mination of the children to become
good American citizens. The class
chose as its hero Abraham Lincoln
and it's motto, Onward is our aim"
Brief addresses were made by Governor
Gates, Judge Weeks and Father O'Sulli'
van. Judge Weeks emphasized the excep-
tional work of Superintendent Barss and
pleaded for larger opportunities for the
boys and girls of the school, whom he
complimented on their earnest efforts
IGovernor Gates also complimented the
school on the success of the exercises and
dwelt upon the Importance of daily work
In character building lie told the chill
dren to fight hard against wrong and &c
strive to measure up to the expectations
of their friends. Father O'Sullivan's
speech went straight to the hearts of his
young listeners as he told of his and other
friends love for them. He told them moi
not to be afraid or embarrassed whel
they left the school as the people of thf
State We're their friends. In closing hC
made an eloquent plea for the develop
ment of the spiritual welfare of the chill
ldren