Connecticut western news., 1916-06-22
SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT
Large Crowd at Exercises. and Inter-
 esting Program Given.

The Town Hall was crowded beyond its seating capacity, Friday evening, when the High School commencement exercises were held, and people were standing in dense rows back of the rear seats and on the stairs. The stage was handsomely decorated with flowers, the background being a large American flag. The members of the graduating class-Charles Hunt Lucas, President; Harry Miles Warner. vice. presidents; Ruth Mabel Hatmaker, secretary; Sarah Augusta Rood, treasurer, and Pearl Freda Davis-occupied the stage throughout the exercises. Over the proscenium was the class motto, "Perge Onward" in red letters on a white ground, with class colors. Miss Olga Johnson played the piano.
 Supervisor E. B. Stone officiated as master of ceremonies, and began the program by calling on Rev. A. B. Crichton to offer prayer.
 Miss Ruth Hatmaker, salutatorian, delivere her salutatory, in good voice, a clever effort in original verse.
 The History of the Flag" was the contribution of Harry Warner, and gave a comprehensive and we'll prepared story of the evolution of Old Glory.
 The Class Prophecies, Miss Sarah Rood. related various amusing experi- ences she enjoyed with her classmates in 1921, and some of the allusions were irresistible.
 The class gift was presented by Charles Lucas, in an appropriate speech, and was accepted on behalf of the class of 1917 by Malcolm Adam, who handled himself like veteran on the rostrum. The gift was a large plaster tablet depicting the signing of the treaty of peace after the Revolutionary War.
 Rev. Father Donahue's address fol- lowed, timely, practical and instruc- tive talk occupying about 15 minutes, which was warmly applauded.
 Miss Pearl Davis, valedictorian, gave a carefully prepared essay on Shakes. peare, which showed careful study of the work of the great dramatist.
 The diplomas were presented by Supervisor Stone, in the unavoidable absence of Hon. E. s. Roberts, who was indisposed.
 The various songs which interspersed the program, by the various grades, were exceptionally we'll rendered, and showed the result of much paintaki lag care on the part of the music super visor, Miss Hart, who conducted the singing. Every song and essay was received with hearty applause. Rev. Mr. Cricbton pronounced the benedic. tiOn.
 In giving his address Father Dona- hue said MT. Stone had invited him a month ago, and it seemed so far ahead that he had consented to come and speak. When the night arrived he was almost sorry he had promised; and after hearing the exercises that had just been given he was still sorrier He congratulated the class and es, pecially the teachers. At such a time we are too apt to forget the teachers, he said. In the thirteenth century there f1ourished one of the very few of the greatest men that ever lived Thomas Aquinus The thirteenth century, the speaker explained, is some. times referred to as the time of the Middle Ages, or the "dark ages;" yet many of the best cathedrals in Europe were built in that period. The present. day architects who designed the great structures, sky-scrapers and great bridges of our modern times, could not produce one of those ancient cathedrals erected during the thirteenth century. In that century Thomas Aquinis said that those who live the life of teacher are worthy of the martyrs crown. You all know how we revere the martyrs. So we should not forget the teachers. They are training the child ren of today who are to be the men and women of tomorrow. In all times there have been men who have achieved glory. There are men in our country today who will achieve glory in the future. New character in the young is being formed by the teachers, and good example in the teachers them- selves has much to do in moulding character. That is why the school boards strive to engage teachers who are above reproach.
  uates on acquiring their diplomas-not for the diplomas merely, but for what the diplomas represented. Aside from what it represents, the diploma is of no more value than any other bit of paper. It is the same with the flag. It is of no more value than any other piece of cloth, except for what it represents. Yet who of us would not be quick to resent an insult to the flag, because of what it presents? It is the same with regard to the cross. The cross itself amounts to nothing. It is simply wood. or stone, or metal. We revere it because of what it stands for-the re. demption of the human race. So with the diploma. It represents years of hard work. It has been said that children in school work harder than many making a living in the outside world. Schooling prepares the pupil for the future Hence these exercises are called commencement" the prep. aratiOn for liTe's work.