The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-05-25
DUTY IN LIFE
IMPRESSED ON
70 GRADUATES
Justice Johnson of Supreme
Court Addresses Bismarck
High Seniors
PRIZES ARE AWARDED
Students With Highest Marks
+ of the Year Are Reward
ed For Work
PRIZES ARE AWARDED

Realization of the responsibility
resting upon each one in the con-
duct of affairs was urged upon 20
members of the Bismarck high
school graduating class, at the an
nual commencement exercises held
in the city Auditorium last night,
by Justice Sveinbjorn Johnson, de-
livcring the commencement address.
Justice Johnson admonished the
students to continue their education,
and to endeavor to grow not only for
their own benefit and pleasure, but
for the community and state as
well.
The program was opened by the
Boys Glee club singing "Bende-
nicer" and "Doan You Cry, Ma Hon
cy' both of which numbers receiv-
ed hearty applause. Miss Elizabeth
Jones directed the chorus and Miss
Genevieve Boise played the accom-
paniment. After Rev. H. c. Postle-
thwaite had made the invocation
Miss Helen Broobs gave the saluta-
tory address in which she welcomed
the audience and explained the sig
nifances of the class motto,
''Smilin' Thru" the class flower, the
purple violet, and the class colors
of brown and burnt orange.
A vocal duet "The Light of Morn
ing" was sung by Mrs. d. c. Scoth-
orn and Mrs. Frank Barnes in their
usual pleasing manner. Mrs. John
Hughes played. the accompaniment
Miss Roberta Best who played vio-
lin solo was warmly applauded by
the audience She was accompanied
by Mrs. Hughes.
Robert Birdzell, valedictorian, gave
n verv fine address. He declared
that he wished to express for the
entire class the appreciatiOns felt
by them for the opportunities of at
tending such n fine school, for their
teachers inspiratiorsl 81 direction, and
for the support given them in all
their undertakings by the people of
Bismarck
Prize Presented
Principal V. II. De Bolt in a short
speech presented the valedictorian
with the beautiful pearl and diamond
pin given as prize by F. A.
Knowles for the ranking stu
dent. After the presentation of
diplomas to the seventy graduates
by A. p. Lenhart, the class song was
sung and benediction pronounced by
Rev. Postlethwaite.
The four students leading the
class were as follows: Helen Craw-
ford 94 3-29; Robert 3irdzell 93 21-33
Helen Brooks 93,x Emily Olson 93-
Helen Crawford was not eligible for
any of the honors because she had
not received all her training in the
bismarck high school.
Can't Escape Responsibility
"'One of the things we cannot get
away from is individual responsible
ity," said Justice Johnson. "This is
one Of the fundamental laws Of life
and of all human relatios. 1t is also
one of the things most frequently
overlooked or forgotten. We organ
ize ourselves into groups the church.
congregations, clubs, and community
groups, motto mention the political
subdivisions eliminating in the
state, and it is-much easier to shift
the responsibility for the conduct of
affairs upon the group than it is to
carry it ourselves. Yet, this is one
of the things that cannot be done
because, when we do it, we violate
law which, though not enforced
by police officers or in police courts,
is nevertheless executed vigorously
and without exception by the very
spirit that permeates all social or
ganiZations: this duty is individual
and cannot be shifted.
"In the first place, we become
members of the community where
We live and conduct our business
activities. We are members of or
ganized society because social and
governmental organization is neces-
sary to protect men against the self
ishness and avarice. that unfortun-
ately are part Of the human chara-
cter. BY living in community, we
necessarily assume obligations to.
wards that community. The COM
munity provides a living and from
it we get most of the things
and comforts that make life
worth living We owe the COM
munity, in return, for these privil-
eges and comforts, a portion of our
time, of our talents, and of our
funds, in order to promote its gem
eral we'll being. It should be our
desire to make it better place in
which to live, a place Of which we
may be proud, and out of which
will come the best kind of citizens.
Community pride does not mean van
ity; it means q real fesire to make
the community whee you live .
place where men and women may
come and live and be better citizens
for having been there; it means that
the community in which you live has
spirit, soul. il you please, which
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