Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1919-06-11
THE HIGH SCHOOL
COMMENCEMENT
Fine Class of Boys and Girls Com
pleted the High School Course,
Festivities Ended Monday
Night
HON. N. T.. KENDALL GAVE
MOST INSPIRING ADDRESS
One OF the Finest Programs i'm Years
Carried Out Through Commence
ment Week

The commencement festivities for
the Decorah high school for 1919
passed into history on Monday even
ing when the graduating exercises
were held at the Grand.
The class play, ''The Varsity
Coach" was given Friday evening.
On last Sunday evening the Bac-
calureate sermon was delivered by
Rev. o. Glesne at the United Nor
wegian church.
Saturday evening the Junior
Senior reception was held at the
high school and delightful program
was carried out
The graduating exercises held on
Monday evening were exceptionally
fine and the program was one of the
best in years.
The invocation was delivered by
Rev. H. H. Green, and the first num-
ber on the program was a solo,
when My Ship Comes Sailing
Home" rendered by Miss Lillian
Winter, which proved most delight
full.
After this number the Hon n. E.
Kendall, of Abba, delivered the
commencement address, and we dare
say that better or more inspiring
address was never delivered in this
community Mr.. Kendall is an orator
of the highest ability, who says
convincing things in way that
gives hearers something to think
about. He spoke for an hour or more
and at the conclusion of his talk his
audience was anxious for more.
Mr.. Kendall spoke in Decorah for
the Liberty Loan in April and demon
strated to his audience then that he
was man of much ability, and is
now being groOmed as a candidate
for governor of Iowa, and will come
before the Republicans for the nomi-
nation in 1920.
After the address another delight
full solo, which was much enjoyed
was rendered by Mrs Helen Hjerleid-
Johnson.
The diplomas were presented this
year to the graduates by DR.. c. L.
Topliff, a member of the board OF
education. DR.. Barfoot, president OF
the board, was on the program for
the presentation, but he was out OF
the city that evening.
After the, presentation Of the
diplomas Miss Marjorie Hogan, one
of the graduates, sang a very enjoy.
able solo, with violin obligato, by
Mrs. Ruth Helwig g-Downie, and the
exercises closed with benediction by
hev. Green.
+ Onca more the graduating class oi
the Decorah high school scored ar
unqualified success with their class
play. The senior class this year pre-
sented The Varsity Coach" at the
Grand last Friday evening, and il
was the general opinion Of the big
audience present that it was one oI
the best plays in years. For mum.
I ber of years past the Decorah high
/ school graduates have enjoyed ar
enviable reputation with their class
plays. and last Friday night the class
of 1919 kept that reputation UP tc
the highest pinnicls.
/ The play was four act comedy
and the leading part was taken by
Carl Bernatz. as Robert Selby, as
sistant coach Of the Varsity crew.
and he was ably supported by ar
excellent cast.
Miss Elizabeth Jennisch, as Rutl
Moore, a college girl, was delightful
and carried her part to perfection
as did Anna H. Haberly, as Mrs
Moore, Ruth's aunt.
Miss Almeda Emily Cutting took
the part of Miss Serena Selby, Bob.
aunt, and she proved herself most
capable actress.
Charles E. Price, as Mousil Kent
carried his role to perfection, as die
Nathan Schulze, as Dick Ellsorth and
Boyd Harrington as Chester Allen
and Vittorio Sperati as Howard Dix
on.
Misses Lillian Mae Baker, Rrtt
Marie Jacobson and J. Estella John
son, as college and boarding schoo
girls We're excellent. The student,
chorus was another feature that ad
ded much to the pleasure of th'
evening, with their excellent render
ed songs.
Taken all in all the play was on,
4 Continued on Page g.