Daily Kennebec journal., 1921-06-11

q IuHlDeT, DOtH tIie moor Ol the
house and the balcony being filed.
The members Of the class sat on
the stage. boys and girls in groups
so that the dark suits of the boys al
ternated with the pretty white gowns
of the girls, who looked very sweet
and charming. The High school
banner fanked by the French and
American flags formed a fine setting
for the youthful faces. The front of
the stage was decorated with beau
tiful flowers and greens and was
very attractive. At the left OF the
stage sat Principal Louis J. West of
the High school and F. Harold Du
bord chairman of the board of edu-
cation, who presented the diplomas.
The music of the evening was fur
nished by the Watervilie High
school orchestra, which is rated one
of the finest school orchestras in the
State The class also sang several
selections in chorus, all of which
were generously applauded, the ap-
plause including the director, Miss
Eva Towne, supervisor of music OF
the public schools of the city.
The theme of the evening was
"Americanization,' and the whole
program played up to the subject.
Every student, who took part could
not help but TO be a source OF pride
to the citizens Of Waterville.
The debate on the subject Re
solved, That the Federal Govern
ment should prohibit all immigra-
tion into the United States for a
period of five years" was spirited
one and was ably waged by Emily
NJ. Barrows and Angela VI. Delaney
on the Affirmative and Arthur l..
Huston and Russell NJ. Squire on the
negative. The presiding officer was
Philip G. Pearce. This was an un-
usual feature and was greatly en-
joyed.
The address Of welcome was give
both in English and French by Ar
thur 4. Begin; the second honor es-
saw, Our Community and our
Schools" by Ralph NJ. Larrabee;
beautiful violin solo, "Cavatina," by
Louis A. Nadeau; an original poem,
The Land of Promise By Ruth F.
Bunt: a recitation, Peace in Friend
ship Village" Grace \. Getchell; re-
citation. The Citizen" by Dotis n.
Simpson: defamation, The Right
Attitude for the American Citizen"
Earl J.. Merriman first honor essay.
"America's Future" Donald NJ. Arm
strong; farewell remarks, Ethel l..
Littlefield.
All OF the parts showed great talent
and ability on the part Of the students
and the entire program was one OF
unusual excellence. At the close OF
the program the diplomas were pre-
sented to the students. as they passed
slowly around to music. by r. Harold
Duhord. chairman OF the board OF ed
ucation. The class ode, which was
written by Ruth f. Potter, to the tune
of Fair Harvard" was then sung.
and then came number which was
not on the program.
A feature of the evenings pro-
gram which was a surprise to Prin-
cipal West Of the High school was
the presentation from the students
Of the school of a diamond set Ma
sonic watch charm with chain and
knife attached. The presentation
speech was made by Fremont
Thompson, president of the gradual
ing class, who referred to the recent
unplea santness in the school affairs
and assured Mr. West of the love
and respect of the STUDENTS.
He said: MIR. West. we wish you
to know of the love and esteem in
which the students of the High
school hold you. While we have
had to work hard and confirm strict
~ to discipline, yet we realize it was
all for our best good. You have won
our loyalty through respect and not
fear.
This loyalty and respect has in
creased the longer we have known
You and correspondence has our
school increased in efficiency in spite
of the handicaps under which we all
realize you have had to work. The
fact that four members of the school
board SO far ignored public opninon
and went against the expressed de-
sires of the students, their parents
and our representative citizens has
caused great Indignation and dissat-
isfaction. The fact that you are to
leave us brings pain and sorrow to
our hearts. We want you to know
however, that you carry away with
you the highest esteem of our best
ann officially in high respect and
wish you the greatest success in your
new field.
I'm conclusion I have the great
honor to present to you this token OF
our esteem. which is made of dia-
mond and pure gold, which is sym
Jbolic OF our highest regard toward
you and your work done among us"
A long round of applause followed
the presentation and Mr.. West. thor
oughly surprised, rose to his feet and
with much feeling expressed his ap-
probation of the gift. He had no more
than resumed his seat when Harry S.
Brown appeared on the platform and
in words highly congratulatory to Mr..
West and his work among the youth
Of the school, presented him with
beautiful leather travelling bag. This
brought forth another round of ap-
plause and Russell Squire. cheer lead
er of the school, sprang to the front
of the class and called for a cheer
for Mr.. West. which was given with a
will The closing number was the
knight Templar March" by the or
ctestra and as soon as the curtain
hA al