The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-06-16
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
State officers Attend Graduating Exer-
cises at Vergennes.

Vergennes, June 14.-Honored by
the presence of the states executive
and other distinguished guests, favor
ed with the fairest of June days and
made happy at the close of the festivi-
ties with a 25-mile automobile ride, II
pupils of the Vermont Industrial
school this afternoon received certi-
ficates showing they have completed
the course of study which will entitle
them to admission to advanced insti-
tutions of learning. The fact that
these pupils with 200 and more COM
panions are wards of the state was
forgotten by those who attended the
exercises as there was nothing to indi-
cate that the children are under the
jurisdiction of the penal board. To
those not acquainted with the insti-
tuition the exercises might have been
those of some large school to be found
in dozen places in Vermont.
The thoroughness of instruction was
manifest in every essay and there
was a finish about the program that
spoke volumes for those in authority
at the school and for the higher au-
thority, the penal board, which was
represented today by Judge John r.
Weeks of Middlebury, chairman. The
pupils affection for Judge Weeks was
displayed at the close of his remarks.
Gov. Gates and Rev. ID. ]. O'Sulli-
van, the latter of St. Adams, spoke
to the pupils, the governor being well
coined by Jessie KennesOn OF Mont
pelier, a member of the class. Alfred
DanfoIth of Bennington gave an ap-
probation of Judge Weeks Harry
Staples of Brattleboro was valedic-
torian. The class members are: Jes-
sic Kenneson, Agnes Mehan, Beulah
Sargent, John Allen, Robert Brown
Merrill Cantell, Alfred Danforth, Den
mis- Donayan, Oscar Griggs, Leon
Hutchins, Leo LaBante, Richard Le-
mieuX, Harry Staples and George
Trour.
The guests from out of town were
met at the railroad station and taken
in automobiles to the school where
luncheon was served by the boys
shortly after o'clock. The meal
was prepared by the pupils of both
sexes under the direction of the teach
ers At the close of the luncheon,
which was served in the admins
tration building, the guests went to
the chapel where the exercises were
held.
The chapel interior was decorated
with the class colors Of crimson and
gold and there was displayed the class
motto, Onward is Our Aim" The
IA graduates wore red carnations and
small Vermont state seals. The pu,
pills to receive diplomas marched to
the chapel TO the music of the school
band and orchestra.
The results of the honor system are
shown in the announcement that only
46 of the 2S6 inmates of the school
are kept under lock and key nights
| less than II are watched during the
| day and out OF an average attendance
| of 243 there have been but four who
made an attempt to leave the schoo
| during a years period. During the
Il past lNO HlbhNilS % pupiio nave uttl
paroled as the school is crowded.
| Announcement was made today tha
an attempt will be made to secure
funds to permit graduates to pursue
studies in higher institutions. Super
intendent and Mrs. J. n Barss receiv
ed many compliments during the ad
| dresses. Gov. Gates approved tn,
move toward securing advanced in
struction for those finishing the regu
lar school work.
The guests included Gov. c
w. Gates and his son and nice,
of Franklin. Rev. d. J. O'Sullivan o
st. Adams, Judge j. +. Weeks, Supt
NJ. II. Loukes of the house of correC
tion, T.. c. Tuttle, Miss Berenice Tut
tie and Rev. G. w. Peck. jr, of Rutlan
Mrs. Pratt of the Children's home a
Burlington and Judge f. c. Dyer Q
| MiddlphurV