The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-06-07
Exercises Were Held At High
School Wednesday
LIFE PHASES HANDLED
Modern Heroism' Discussed
And Women Are Praised
DeservedIy
From Fridays Daily.

the junior high school course were
bestowed upon a large class of stu
dents in Mankato high school assem-
bly, room Wednesday evening, when
the youthful graduates were present
ed with their diplomas. This was
the second annual graduation of the
junior high school, and the program
was interesting and impressive.
Graceful palms and spring flowers
and flags formed the decorations, and
a pretty scene was presented as the
graduates trooped to the platform
and took their seats, tine g.T-s wear
ing white MILDLY dresses, and the
boys wearing neat dark suits.
Rev. G. A. Cahoon opened the pro-
gram with an invocation for divine
blessing and guidance Miss Elsie
Schipper played piano solo, en-
titled Tam O'Shanter," and Miss Es-
Their Durenberger gave a reading, en-
titled ''The Last Lesson by Daudet.
Wycliffe Litchfield gave an essay
on Military Training and the Boy"
He dwelt upon the cadet training for
boys which is being carried on all
over the country, rich and poor re-
ceiving exactly the same training.
He reviewed the work of the Man
kato high school cadets, and the
splendid results obtained. "The ca
Diet course makes the boys more
manly, and that is what America de-
mands of them today" said Mr..
Litchfield. Herman Drill played "The
Dream of the Shepherdess," as a
violin solo, and Miss Harriet Nerbo-
wi sST
, Among the Blackboards."
Miss Gina e Simonson discussed
Modern Heroism" She stated that
never before had the world demand
| ed such sacrifice. Old and young
rich and poor, are being called upon
She told of the heroism of the boys
at the front. and demanded what of
the women? Are there no heroes
among the women?" Answering that
question she told of the brave nurses
sacrificing their lives at the front,
and the wonderful work of recon-
struction being carried on in France.
| She told of American women who
/ have given sons, brothers and hus-
bands, and who are devoting all their
energies to work for the Red Cross,
and closed her eloquent talk by say
| ing that the greatest battles are, in
truth, fought by the mothers of men.
| Miss Mildred Jaeger played a pi-
ano solo, "The Minuet," by Pader-
ewski, after which Principal w. G.
Bate addressed the class.
/ Marked Half Way Place.
| Mr.. Bate stated that this junior
commencement marked the half way
place in the education of the stu
dents. They have now finished the
work of the junior high school, Ibut
| it should be well understood by them
and others that this graduation was
not a stopping place, but an incen-
/ tive to continue their education
through the senior high school He
remarked that the graduates could
go out in the world and find employ
ment in some useful occupation, but
! that it would be more patriotic to-
stay on and complete their education
so they could render more useful
ness and greater benefit to their
country. He expressed the hope that
| the class before him would continue
| in school, and at the end of three
more years complete the entire six
years course. He then presented the
CLASS 10 superintendent r.. j. SpeTfy.
Absence of Officials.
Mr.. Sperry regretted that neither
the president nor vice president of
| the board of education were present
| to present the diplomas, and re-
marked that as it devolved upon
himself to present them he did SO
with great deal of pleasure. He
said that he hoped the class before
him realized that this should not be
the stopping place in their school
work, and told them to look back at
what they could do three years ago
and compare it with what they could
do now. He said that there would be
the same advancement at the close
of the senior high school course, and
eacn one who remained in school for
the additional three years would be-
come better and more efficient Amer
| lean citizens.
Following the presentation of di-
plomas the audience united in sing
ing America" and the benediction
was pronounced by Rev. O.. ]. Ar
thur, closing the program.
The names of the graduates were
published few days ago.