Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1926-06-05
HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF
1926 RECEIVE DIPLOMAS
Interesting Program.---Dr. Elderdice
Addresses Graduates. Rotary
Watch To William Hancock

The usual Commencement audience
greeted the Class of 1926 in the En-
pire Theatre on Monday evening last.
These are occasions Of great interest
to all communities, and provide a new
er-failing kind of entertainment to
parents and friends.
The programme was one of unusual
merit. The two essays-Sead by Misses
Virginia Merrill and Carolyn Chesser,
being concerned with local history,
were listened to with great deal Of
attention. The "Old Home" prize es-
say is an annual production; the prize
was endowed by the late John S. Nc
Master; essays are submitted by the
high school pupils and the successful
one is read at the Commencement ex-
ercises. Miss Merrill lived up to the
reputation established by former au-
diences and presented a paper well
worth reading.
The Henry Long Essay" by Miss
Carolyn Chesser, related the history
of former local public school bene-
factor, and she SO pictured him as to
impress the audience of a need Of
some memorial for Mr.. Long. Doubt
less some move looking to the erection
of tablet in the public school build
ing will be started.
DR.. Elderdice's address to the grad
yates was splendid tribute to Ameri-
can youth. He refused to take the
pessimist's view of the present gener-
alton, and preferred to look upon the
boys and girls in the light Of a prom
ise rather than that Of a problem. By
comparison with the folk of former
days, he showed the superiority in
many cases Of the latter day sort.
The cigarette smoker, he said, was no
worse than the snuff -taker of the past.
The abbreviated skirts of the modern
fiapper were no more outlandish than
the crinoline, hustle, and hoop skirts
of the grandmothers of long ago. +
The speakers address was inspir-
ing, and greatly enjoyed by both the
class and the large audience.
DR.. E. J. Clarke presented two med
als for elocution; one as first prize
to the girls, and one to the boys. Miss
Gladys Bull and Leon Fisher were the
two successful contestants.
DR.. Clarke on behalf of the POGO
moke City Rotary Club also presented
q gold watch to that boy Of the
school who had best lived up to code
Of ethics, laid down by the Rotary
club. Selection of such boy is made
by the Faculty Of the school, by the
student body, and by the Club. Will
lam Henry Hancock was adjudged to
be the example for his class and those
to follow, and he was accordingly a.
warded the prize. The choice seemed
to meet with the appreciation of the
students present and the audience, as
evidenced by the liberal applause Civ
en- the decision.
DR.. Riley, president of the County
Board of Education, in some very
well chosen words presented the
health certificates and diplomas.
Music was furnished for the occa-
sion by vocal renditions from the
graduates and by an orchestra COM
posed of Maurice Groh, violin; Marion
Pruitt, trombone; Paul Vincent, bass
viol; William Lang, cornet; and Miss
Ida Scott, piano. Rev. E. L. Bunce
opened the exercises with invocation
and closed them with benediction.
Some of the class will go to schools
of higher education; others will enter
training schools for nurses; and 9th.
ers will enter business life. They are
all young men and young women Of
promise, and should be congratulated
in the record they have made. Those
graduating and their departments are
as follows:
ACADEMIC
Mary Louise Butler, Carolyn Sue
Chesser, Beulah Kate Dixon, Bessie
Mildred Foxwell, Clara Wilson Jones
Virginia Caroline Merrill, Ruth Wells
Sartorius, Homer Callahan Merrill
Rosemary Slocomb, Louise Taylor
Francis Augustus Belote, Leon Ken
meth Bunce, Leon Clinton Fisher
David Robert Jones, Clarence Waltor
Mason, Henrietta Elizabeth Scott.
i COMMERCIAL
Pearl Jean Friedman, Virginis
Reide, William Henry Hancock, VIM
Clarence Hayman, Wilson Carl Out
ten, William Kenneth Powell.
GENERAL
Doris Ruth Tilghman, Viola Georgia
Young, Paul Jones Gladding, Lewis
Crueger Freeman, Charles Levers.