The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-06-27
STORY OF THE 1918
COMMENCEMENT
Decorations and Music
a Feature of Affair

Somewhere, back in my school days
I now recall that I commenced to
look ahead to two things: graduation
and matrimony. These events SEEM
ed and perhaps even now seem the
most important happenings of girls
life. Some of my classmates admit
they have likewise anticipated these
two important things. Others admit,
they have looked ahead to one and not
the other. am confident, If all
were to tell me just exactly their
thoughts about It, | should be with
the majority on both propositions,
In my intermediate days and of
course after becoming a Freshman,
used to go to the graduation exercises.
I was then all impatient for my own
commencement day to come. 1t was
not until the beginning of my Senior
year that I commenced to have lit
tie regret that my school days were
rushing toward their conclusion so
rapidly. This regret was intensified
all thru the final year, And when
last Friday evening arrived, there
was a sadness about it which | had
not foreseen. In my early school days
/ had no thought whatever, about who
was providing my opportunity for an
eduea ton. This, too, commenced to oc-
eur 10 me in my Senior year. How
little | had realized what it cost In
dollars and cents (about $1,000 year,
to give each of us these privileges.
ID to that time, l had no idea that
gratitude was due anybody. And
IL No n no GRO 70
full enough.
Still, though, rather sober thoughts
came up around graduation time.
Here we were, band of twenty out
of 1000 who entered the primary
grades 13 years ago. All along |
had been selfish enough not to real
ize how especially fortunate l have
been to be one of those to be able to
complete the courses. ] have just
commenced to have regrets that so
few could go through to the end.
OF course the few weeks preceding
commencement were so full of final
studies, examinations, rehearsals, etc.
that the above reflections were not
very we'll defined. They will prob
ably shape themselves better in the
months to come. / enjoyed marching
in. with what seemed pomp and cere-
mony with my class and winding our
way to seats on the stage. 1t seemed
very new and wonderful to look out
into the audience of 1000 people and
to realize that everyone was a friend.
At least for once in his or her life,
a girl or boy graduate can be sure OF
the friendly interest of every one.
After we were seated, our principal,
r. W Leighton, came in and it was
just as natural as could be to wonder
if he would reprmand ME, If he saw
me whispering Then there was the
school board, DR.. w. S. Stinchfeld,
". A. Bailey and w H. Hawes. Seated
with them, Mr.. Fogler, representing
the Bloomfield Academy, and Mr..
Merriam and Mr. Turner, all adding
a good deal of dignity to the evening.
Some of the young folks had come
down from Madison to play with our
high school orchestra. And we
realized that Mr. Towne and those
young people had taken great deal OF
pains to see that the music for our
commencement should do its part in
program. Rev Mr.. Turner" offered
PRAYER. An invocation is always
solemn. How sacred and solemn 1t
seemed at the opening of my com
mencement evening.
Then we each spoke in turn, com
mencing with the Salutatory and hon
or part by John Wadsworth, and so
on. according to the program publish
ed in the Reporter two weeks ago,
thru to the Valedictory, another hon
or part by Ruby Dyer.
Then came the awarding of the
Shepherd prizes. l am 10 years OF
age. General Shepherd died when l
was three years old. How strange 1t
seems to me and how fine it is this
mans thonghtfulness can be continu-
ed to provide year after year an in
centive for us to study and aid those
who do especially well.
Busy as we had been, we had time
to wonder who would get these eight
prizes. We had done lot OF guess
ing and a good many had prophesied
result very much as 1t came out.
You recall that the winners as an
nounced were: In the Freshman
class. Kenneth Smiley won the first
prize and Verna Porter won the sec
ond OF the Sophomore class, Herman
Porter won the first prize and Julia
Cox the second; the Junior class,
Lena Merrill the first prize and Arthur
Carriveau the second; and in the
Senior class the first prize was award
ed Lillian Horne and Helen Whiteside
the second
Members of my own class were
called upon to come forward and re
ceive their checks, as awards were
made. Then the prize winners from
the other classes were called to the
stage from their seats in the audience.
While each was evidently pleased, all
seemed a little embarrassed to be the
center of so much attention. And then
was asked with the rest to step
forward and take my diploma. Tnls
document I suppose, is to be a record
evidence of what I have done In
school. l presume no one will ever
ask to see 1t. Others tell me, that
they are usually packed away and al
most forgotten. However, / felt very
grand to have mine passed to me WIN
so much ceremony by the chairman
of the school board.
Then there was the benediction Dy
Mr.. Merriam, a fitting and solemn
close to one OF the most important
events OF my life. After the curtain
dropped, we did some chatting WIN
each other and our teachers. we olo
not say much about goodbye VI
course we expected to meet al the