Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-20

AT KENT'S HILL

with feelings of justifiable pride
that faculty and friends listened
Wednesday to the graduating exer-
cises of the kent's Hill seniors.
Probably never in the recent history
OF the school was there so we'll ex-
ecuted a program of literary num-
bers as was presented by the class of
1919. 1t is a class of rare talent
with an overwhelmingly large per-
centage of it's members seeking a
kents Hill preparation for higher
education. Seventeen out of a class
of 81 have specified their intentions
to enter college while majority Of
those not in the college preparatory
group will enter normal schools,
nurses training schools and similar
institutions. Their choice is but an
evidence of that wave of education
seeking that is sweeping the country
today.
The strength Of the literary pro-
gram is due to the presence of
strong English department in the
Seminary. The young men and
women who participated today were
prepared for their work by Prof.
Harvey D. Miller. r. B. Dunn. pro-
fessor of English and Oratory.
Salutatory and Valedictory parts
were given respectively to Elwood
Bean of Vienna and Pnyliss Meg
quier of Fayette. These two leaders
in scholarship were tied for first
honors and the parts were assigned
by faculty choice. Elwood Bean,
whose scholarship record has been
remarkable during his four years at
kent's Hill is the fourth member of
his family to graduate within the
last five years. 1t seems to be the
prerogative of this family to pro-
duce scholars Of the highest type for
each of the four have been either
valedictorian or salutatorian of rs
class. The young lady. who deliv-
cred the valedictory address, is not
only noted for her work in the liter
AIRY studies, but she has been promi-
nent as a musician too, having ex-
celled in the latter art during her en-
tire course.
The essays themselves savored of
the aftermath of war. Elwood Bean
gave a strong appeal in his "Chal-
ienge to the Church." showing a rare
grasp Of the problem presented and
showing how in the field of educa-
ton, immigration, and democracy.
the church is expected to rise to its
present opportunities. Miss Marian
Chase Of Portland told how women
had done their bit in the war and
drew as her conclusion the fact that
the work thus begun should not be
but that from her
vantage ground thus gained woman
should continue to be of service in
the forward movement of the world.
1t was daintily feministic but one
could not help but agree with so
charming speaker.
Contrasted to this was the strong
presentation of virile. thought
arousing argument and invective !
brought to pass by Wellington Rey-
Eolds of Winslow in his proposals for
placing the railroads on a firm peace
basis. Miss Thayer of Mechanic
Falls paid noble tribute to Theodore
Roosevelt and his true Americanism.
Strange, not note Of sadness crept
into her essay. true tribute to the
man. an evidence that he stills lives
as an active principle in the thought
of the average American. Cedric
SWEET Of Portland. who left school
during the war for service in the
Merchant Marine. gave a thorough
treatment of his theme, THE United
States and the South American
Trade" in which he himself was en-
gagged recently. Asa Sleeves of Hal
lowell told of the use Of Poison Gas
in the War" and something of its
possibilities in case Of future war.
An especially appropriate essay by
Madeline Newall Of West Milan, N.
H.. on THE Genius Of Foch" ended
this part Of the program.
After intermission. Elsie Perry Of
Hallowell told something Of the life
and spirit of the american Soldier"
in the war. showing careful selection
of material from the vast writings on
the subject. Merle Jones of Fayette
told us about THE Future of the
Merchant Marine" Possibly the
strongest number Of the program.
with the exception Of the two chief
honor parts. was the strong grafton
given by Frank Carruci of Bristol.
Conn. HIS subject, Italia Ire
denta" was worthy Of wide circula
ton for he treated well the difficult