The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-06-13
HIGH SCHOOL
LARGE SENIOR CLASS GRAD
UATED LAST EVENING.

The high school auditorium was
we'll lighted and beautifully deco
rated last evening for the senior COM
mencement exercises which were
scheduled to begin at $3.50 o'clock.
Three large loops of blue and gold
ribbon representing the class colors
were suspended from the ceiling at
the front of the stage and a ~profusion
of flowers in boxes and baskets laden
ed the air with delicate perfume and
set off the rostrum with attractive
colorings.
Long before the time set for the
beginning of the program the parents,
teachers and friends of those who had
successfully completed the prescribed
work for the school year began filing
into the large auditorium and taking
seats in the curve of the gallery. In
a short time every seat was taken
and the assembly awaited the open
ing of the evening hat was looked
forward to with unabating interest.
To the deft touch of Mrs. Landry
the piano set forth the strains of a
stirring commencement march to the
excellent time of which the splendid
graduating class of 1919 kept perfect
step to their respective places at the
back of the stage. No fairer nor
more intelligent looking prospective
graduates ever sat before the eyes of
their devoted parents or received
more well merited school honors
from the hands of the board of edu-
cation than the n that awaited con-
gratulations at the close of last
nights epochal event.
Preceding the regular commence
ment address the girls glee club
sang the Swing song. a lightsome
musical summer theme nicely suited
to the well trained young voices that
set forth the beauties of it's poetic
~fancies.
DR.. ii. M. Gage. president of Huron
college. delivered the graduation ad-
dress and those who were fortunate
enough to hear his timely words of
Icounsel are unanimous in p%ronounc-
ing Ii the most masterful delivery
ever given before a Madison audi
ience. A play of humor here and
there, an apt story, an appropriate
ILLUSTRATION - these, together with
eloquent statements of most pro-
found truths forced themselves into
the open minds OF the auditors. DIR.
Gage is solid physically. and both
solid and brilliant mentally. His
Icpoaohac ara oha ~ aatars,al ohfaflx -,
THE ready flow of pure. beautiful Eng
fish. His address had for its founda-
ttion the thought of the necessity for
and the dignity and value Of labor
and o once during the evening did
: he fail to impress his auditors with
facts true to experience and relating
) what constitutes real work and real
, success.
I After noticing and remarking upon
the numerical disparity between the
, boys and girls in the class, DR.. Gage
stated, In substance, that there is no
substitute for labor; that neither
, wealth. nor position, nor fame can
; take its place. 1t was further shown
! that certain evil hereditary traits can
be overcome by education and strong
will power. With reference to the
liability to succeed in life DR.. Gage
mentioned that success is only OBJ
taiDable through the operation of 2
per cent of genius and 9S per CEN
of hard work. According to his state
' ments all people are expected to be
/ producers - creators of material
combinations that affect life for hap
: piness and contentment and not self
ish gain. There is a certain pride
We all take in the finished product,
n whether 1t be of brain or hand, and
g we were adjured to put into the work
g only honest effort. The keynote of
4 the entire address was the thought
that we u work not only honestly
but intelligently and necessarily. But
8 what for? This pertinent question
was left with the audience to decide
each for himself.
HI AT the close of DR.. Cages address,
Q and following the concluding song by
the girls glee club, Supt. ]. w. Ault
presented the graduating class to
George Farmer. president of the
board of education. who. in a few
well chosen words, complimented
]. the young people on their success for
q the year and left with them the best
. wishes OF the board. At this point
2 the diplomas were presented.
9 Supt. Ault explained hat the grad
9 uating class had contributed as a me-
mortal a large picture of Presidens
4 Wilson. which at that time had not
4 arrived, however.
The Junior commencement exer-
lcises will occur at the auditorium this
evening. at which time the address