The Mena weekly star., 1918-05-30
EIGHTH GRADE
 IN GRADUATION
Large Class Entertained Parents and Friends Friday Morning at Presby- terian Church-Minor Pipkin
 Presented Diplomas.

The Eighth Grade graduating exer- cises of the Mena schools held in the Presbyterian church at 10:3O o'clock Friday morning brought together an appreciative audience of parents. teachers and friends of the thirty-sev- en members of the class.
 The class met at the Baptist church and came in a body to the Presbyter- ian edifee marching to their places to march played by Mildred Davis. a member of the class. The class while standing, opened the program with a chorus, Defend America" Miss Davis accompanying.
 The second number on the program was a piano solo, "In Quest of Butter flies" by Vergelia Golf.
 Emmett Lindsay of Grannis, as vale dictorian of the class used as his sub Ject the life of General John J. Persh- ing, bringing out forcibly the fact that General Pershing is one of the really self-made men of our times. In this eonenction it interesting to note that the valedictorian had ob- stacles to overcome in his efforts to secure an education. He came to Mena last fall to enter the Eighth grade. making his home with Mir. and Mrs. M. A. Stratton at The Boulders, and under the influence of this home and thru his own characteristic of close application to his school work, he suc- ceeded in making the best record in the class for progress, and for this success he was awarded medal pre- sented to him at the close of his val edictory by his teacher, Miss Ruth Kelley and donated by Supt. c. K. Wilkerson.
 "Schubert's Serenade," was given as piano duet by Misses Zella Tomlin- son and Myrtle Bell.
 Minor Pipkin, taking the place of County Superintendent w. Homer Pigg, who was unavoidably called out of the city on important business, made the address to the class and pre- scented the certificates of graduation. In so doing he complimented the class and teacher on the splendid work that had been done during the past year, and impressing on the members of the class the necessity of continuing their work thru High school, and then on thru college and university, so that all may be prepared to meet the re- responsibilities of citizenship. Like Governor Brough in the Commence ment address to the High school grad uates on the preceding night, he pointed out the fact that the pro- gram of this century is preeminately one of service, and that he will serve his country and fellowman best who has been best prepared in the train ing of head, hand and heart thru the medium of the common schools of our land, followed by the training in the higher institutions of our nation. The program was very appropriate ly closed by the audience joining with the class in singing, "America," after which the Rev. T. A. Park dismissed the audience with prayer.
 The members of the class are as fellows:
 Arthur Paulu, Beulah Swift, Chal- cie Johnson, Cora Belle Thompson, Christine Randall, Dora Ponder, Ed Watkins, Emmett Lindsay, Elsie Strauss, Florence Hamilton, Francis Petty, Homer Cole, John Bogard, Kate Anthony, Leberta Horine, Louise Strauss, Lena Lawrence, Lake Wood, Myrtle Tyler, Myrtle Bell, Myrtle Daniels, Mary Presser, Mildred Davis, Neal Warren, Paulyne Wilhelm. Pearl woodell, Bura Richards, Robert Me Coy, Ruth Hamilton, Ruth Phillips, Teddie Rogers, vtrgelia Golf, Wallace Townsend, Zella Tomlinson, Clara Bell Patrick, Ruth Halton, Belle Tankers- ly.