The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-06-26
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES OF CLASS
OF 1919 BRILLIANT EVENT
80 Young Men and Women Leave Their Alma
Mater to Take Up the Stern Duties of Life

i"os# FiedSng events OF Its KIND ever
heid here. The stage setting under
the direction of Miss Pauline Oak
Was unusually beautiful The
scheme was an Arbor effect. the roof
formed by delicate streamers of white
leading 10 larse evergreen basket
III the center filed with large white
! peonies Climbing the standards in
| a natural manner were beautiful pink
roses. The arbor was enclosed by
| ropes of pink roses from which were
suspended baskets of beautiful flow
ers. About the stage were jardineres
| filled with cut flowers which with the
bright happy faces of the clean cut
Seniors presented a picture that will
linger in the minds of the large gath
ering.
After prayer by Rev George
Merriam, Karl Russell Philbrick.
salutatorian, welcomed the friends of
the class of 1919. He spoke of the
new era Of our country and that the
Var had changed us from an easy-go-
ing. self-satistied people to nation
united by a sacred bond. that of de
Tending right agains might In clos
ing. Mr. Philbrick reai one of James
Whiteomb Reilley's most beautiful
poems My America.
Lena Frances Merrill gave an es-
say on "Yashka' the story of a Rus
sian Womans part in the great war
and who became the famous leader
of the Battalion of Death" Yashka
has been termed the modern Joan
de Are This story was graphically
told by Miss Merrill and was listened
to With great deal of interest.
The history of the class from the
beginning of the Freshman year. by
Miss Anna Merrill was of great in
terest In closing. Miss Merrill said
We have finished our school work.
creditably. Our history as a class
closes. The records from this point
on will be of individuality and that
they shall be enyabe records is
determination OF every member Of
the class Of 1919.
Adolph Lawrence Bisson took for
his subject "Skowhegans Part in the
World War" Beginning with the
mobilization of Co. E, he depicted the
work of that valiant body of men thru
the battles of Chateau Thierry and
san Nhiel, speaking feelin2ly of the
Is young men who made the great
sacrifice He told of the various
successful drives and how proud we
should feel in future years of Skow-
hegan's part in the great war.
Another English honor part by
Thomas Henry Coburn on "A Plea for
Patience" was a splendid dissertation
on the business problems of the day
I'VE must await patiently the chan2-
ing of conditions and keep in good
humor and keep on trying. Reason
it out and season il out. Have pa
tence for the on coming slump.
Martha Carolyn Steward in the class
Prophecy had come back from the
broad. fiat fields of Michigan to the
dear old hills of Skowhegan and had
located her former classmates in oc-
cupations surprisingly foreien 10
their training
Grace Eleanor iawes in The
Power Of Personality" said There Vas
a personality among nations a- "eiI
as individuals and that the United
States under the leadership OF Presi-
dent Wilson stood high in fh" friend
ship of other peoples, for she has
demonstrated that she is a friend OF
every worthy nation "Aii the qual-
tiles which comprise personality
spell efficiency and efficiency spells
accomplishment in wh5.eser line OF
endeavor one may be enalsad.
A part of the graduation program
always<looked forward to with a
great deal of pleasure and interest, is
the Presentation Of Gifts. AT the
proper moment the aifts in a beau
tiful howered box lied with hand
some pink ribbon was delivered on
the stage by a uniformed messenger
boy. From this box Harold Angus
tus Pooler and Grace Mary Paradis
drew gifts for every member Of the
class. The sautatoran, Karl Rus
sell Philbrick, was presented with a
broom tied with The class colors, with
which to sweep he eobwebs from his
brain while at Bowdoin. Rachel
Hunter Conant was given a lily as the
fairest lily of the class.
Percy Lyman Nuttiug in the Glass
Will. returned the MANAGEMENT of the
school to the faculty The valuable
characteristics of the class of 1919
were bequeathed to various members
of the lower classes.
Rachel Hunter Conant as valedic-
torian expressed the appreciation of
the class for the efforts of the facul-
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