The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1923-06-06
Class Of Fifty
Two Graduates
DIR. SWEARINGEN ADDRESSES
LARGE AUDIENCE AT EXER-
CISES WEDNESDAY EVENING

DIR. Henry Chapman Swearingen of
st. Paul gave the address at the an
nual commencement exercise of the
local high school, the program being
held at the Armory Wednesday even
ing June 80. The class consisted of
forty-one who had completed regular
four years of high school work and
eleven post-graduates who have COM
pleted the work of the teachers train
ing class. The diplomas were pre-
sented by DIR. j. W. Inglis, member
of the Board of Education.
DR.. Swearingen's talk was one of in
spiration to the young people of the
class and one of great interest to the
older people in the audience. He dealt
with the need of widespread educa-
tion as the best means of assimiliating
the foreign element which has become
such large part of American citizen
ry. He spoke at length on the "New
Spirit" which is making itself mani
fest throughout the nation and the need
of adoption to this spirit. This a
daption, the speaker contended needs
first of all true spiritual concep-
tion on the part of the human race.
With this spiritual growth and
understanding must come an under
standing of the close union between
the scientific and the spiritual. DIR.
Swearingen also touched on the econ
omic struggle, the sanctity of the
home and related subjects and closed
his talk with the following thought
on the purpose of Life.
There are three distinct ideas of
life's purpose. The first is self in
terest The prophecy of ruin is in the
very thought of it. The second good
to the greatest number High and
worthy altruistic and challenging. but
/ too indefinite and uncertain and too
! lacking in sufficient motive to carry it
through successfully. The third is,
the glory of God This is all inclusive
and at the same time infinitely high.
1t guarantees your personal interests;
it delivers them from measures, it
| transfigures them and lifts them as
| high as heaven. 1t guarantees. too,
that you will do the greatest good to
the greatest number. There is no
other way of knowing certainly when
any course you may choose, is tending
toward the happiness and real benefit
of your fellowmen."
/ The Valedictory. given by Miss Avis
Kvello, and the Salutatory by Miss
Dorothy Byram, were both carefully
thought-out and well-given themes
which were wei received by the aud
ience These two girls achieved the
highest honors of the class, Miss Kvel-
10 finishing her work with twenty
and three-fourths credits and an aver
age of ninety-five plus. Miss Byram
earned seventeen and one-half credits
with an average of ninety-four plus.
Other students to whom honors were
given were Vivien Anderson, Helene
: Arndt. Charles Burmeister, Lois Ball,
; Gladys Crimmins. Wilma Fox, Nina
Reed, and Earl Whiting. the last nam
ed having the highest standing among
the boys Of the class.
7 The musical numbers on the pro-
gram included two beautifully rem
dered songs by Miss Grace Iverson
of the high school faculty, song by
|, the Girls Chorus and music by the
high school orchestra DR.. A. w
Ross opened the program with the in
vocation and Rev. Paul L. Grove gave
the Benediction.