The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-01-28
CLASS OF "A
 GRADUATEFR0M
 BRIDGEPORT HIGH
First Time In High School $ History Diplomas A r e Awarded To February Class - State Comnis- '. sioner Meredith Speaks To The Graduates.

To The Graduates.
 For the first time in the history of the school February graduation ex- ercises took place last evening in Bridgeport High school. Following the standards set by the class of 1920 and observed by the class of 1921. the forty-three girl graduates were with black ties. white skirts. shoes and stockings. The boys wore dark suits and white ties. After the class members were seated in their respec- tive places. Principal James c. Moore, former supervisor of the High school Henry D. Simonds, Supsrin- tendent of Schools Samuel B. Slaw- of Education and pr. A. B. Meredith. of Education and Dr. .AB. Meredith, state commissioner Of Education. Che spe akers of the evening, came 70 the platform.
 Miss Pistey's salutatory sa MS MISS +o-1 AntGna S Pistey delivered the the arc especially glad to welcome you here tonight and to show our nppre- citation of your interest in us because we are the first class to have the Some people have been in 1oubt as to suitable name for us. We are not the class of 1921 nor are we the class of 1922. We rave beea called feel that we are not half a class but a whole one as am sure you will all agree.
 "It IS true that during the last were but half class because of the hummer that the epidemic of vacci- nation has kept at home but.
 G Hnls .nl wa was n. not to make reply. Ours was but to do CT die.
 When before that cruel doctor,
 strode the noble 75."
 But despite the slIngs and the ra i1i1s tonight are almost unbroken and we are here to bid you a hearty and enthusiastic welcome"
 Traced Schools Growth.
 Dr. Meredith traced the growth of secondary schools in the United States and in Connecticut and advocated the creation of tax supported colleges wherein the graduates of high school who have not the means to at tend a university would be able to get a college education at the expense of the state.
 commissioner Meredith said that since the year 1890 secondary schools have increased at the rate of 425 per cent. and that every day for the past twenty years a new high school build ing ing o vas j.. opened. In the s1 high has increased at the rate Of 15,O0O new pupils each year.
 re most deplora.ble fact" declared pr. Meredith, lis that out of every 100 students entering high schois, sixty remain for the second year. forty-four for the third year and thirty-two for the senior year." He also decried the fact that the school hours were so short that the curtailment now would be felt later when the young man and young women now in school would take the balance Of power in the life
 Mice nonarue S,1os.~
 Preceding Dr. Meredith's speech, Miss Veronica Donahue sang ''The Swallows" and after the address Kenneth Showers rendered '"The Big Brown Bear."
 The following valedictory was de- livered by Beatriot Wollner. ''The class seated before you this evening IS an unusual one. Just to show you how unusual we are we have invited you to these graduation exercises in January, not that January is an un- month in which to grad nate but rather that this is 8 novel Bridgeport High school We now wish to thank the Board of Education, class advisory teachers and parents, and all of those who have made this nid-year graduation a possibility.
 The Valedictory Address.
 'fThis is, perhaps. the last occasion 1 hat our entire class will be together. | We share not only the same thoughts
 
 uniform even in our dress. At vart- | ous times we have been led to unite | for other reasons. We all opposed l he idea of taking intellience tests. l y we were disgraced.
 "Never again shall we have that experience nor shall we ever enjoy l he pleasure of testing our wits at college board examination or of -acing over the typewriter keys to he tune of Feather Your Nest" For III these experiences we are very grateful for they will be pleasant re- ninders of a class individual that It has brought you here.'
 After a vocal selection by Miss Genevieve Godfrey, Principal Moore made the following announcement: ion wishing to encourage the boys and girls of our school in their ef- forts toward high atta1nments In and in character herewith donates the sum of $50 to be award
 First Prize Awarded.
 First prize sorma1 s1o in g91r afepa1atory a1 toas lating class who by excellence Of and character shall In the judgment of her teachers pest eAein- ,lify the ideals of the profession for which she is preparing. A"arUeo eo Flora B. Lister.
 Second prize of s10 in soIo 70 pc given under the same conslderatlons 70 a student in the Normal depart nent of the June graduating class.
 Third prize of s10 in gold to a graduate in recognition of general excellence in mathematics 1 Awarded to John J. Vreeland-
 Fourth prize of S10 in gold to 8 graduate in recognition ,f general excellence in mathematics. | Awarded to Flora B. Lister
 Fifth prize of $10 in gold 10 stu. lent of the Commercial department Of he mfd-year graduation class In | of general excellence In subjects. Awarded 10 Beatrice M. We1lner.
 1918 Class Prize Award.
 The conditions for the 1913 class prize in memory of Dr. Wayne B. Schwartz. which was awarded last night for the first time and given to Miss Grave Rowland, were to pay annual income from said fund Of the 1918 class remaining at graduation time to that student of the graduating class of Bridgeport High School. who 1 Is the opinion of the principal, shall nave attained the highest proficiency | n the studies of the department of 1