Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-06-18

With the passing Of 81 members
OF the class of 1926 into the ranks OF
alumni of Gardiner High school,
graduating exercises revealing a
wealth of natural ability, forensic
and musical talent were carried out
Thursday evening in the presence of
600 friends and relatives of the Sem
Tor class.
For the last time as a class the
Seniors were marshalled into the
auditorium by their president, Albert
Wilson Henderson, and took their
places on the platform. The class
march was preceded by the musical
number "Mignonette" O. Seredy) by
the Gardiner High school orchestra.
The invocation was given by the
Rev. Edw. c. McAllister pastor OF
Christ Episcopal church OF Gardiner.
Heartfelt appreciation of the bene-
fits of modern education in Gardiner
made possible by the generosity of
it's citizens was voiced by Mary
Trafton in her Salutatory address as
she welcomed all to her class exer-
cises. Miss Traftons subject was
"Musicians of Maine" and her per-
sonal knowledge of the subject in
talk.
Miss Trafton told her listeners that
it was in 1888 that music was intro
duced into the public school system
of Maine, and that it was Luther
Mason of Turner Nc, who reformed
the music system in the public
schools. and established fine course
of grading. She made reference to
% of IN L mr. r1,..,
Paine, a famous organist; of Annie
Louise Cary, whose reception in the
musical world was one that brought
lasting honor to the musical history
of the State.
Other famous singers mentioned
were Lillian Nordica and Emma
Eames, the latter who although born
in Shanghai, China, was considered a
pure American, long a resident of
the State of Maine. She paid tribute
to DR.. William Rogers Chapman as
the man who is bringing the best of
modern musicians to Maine at the
Musical Festivals.
OF especial interest to her audience
was the speakers reference to Kale
Vannah, a native of the city of Gar
diner and composer of internation-
al fame. She told of Miss Vannah 8
early education at Gardiner, at st.
Josephs college at Emmitsburg.
Maryland, and with famous teachers
in Boston. Although the composer Of
many well known songs, Miss Van
nah Is perhaps best known by Good
Bye Sweet Day"
The speaker told of the recent hon
or conferred upon Miss Vannah when
she was selected by the music COM
nlffpa 0f tho
now being held in Chicago to write
the music to accompany the official
Congress Hymn. In closing Miss
Irafton declared that our State ia
Just beginning it's active develop
ment, and that time will undoubted
iy give us reason to be more proud.
An interesting account of the
Macmillan expedition to the Arctic
regions was given by Thelma Fran
ces Austin, one Of the honor essay
lists. She told ,of the setting out
from the port of Wiscasset of the
staunch Bowdoin, and of the many
Maine men that assisted on the trim.
She made reference to Captain Mac
MILAN, himself a graduate of Bow
dom College, and summed up his
many accomplishments in explora-
ton OF the unknown regions. Lucille
Elizabeth Clark, another honor stud
ent. gave the history of the gradu-
alton class, telling of the important
events since they had entered Gard
lner High as Seniors four years ago.
through the trials of the first year.
the second year, the busy Junior
year, and finally the many import
ant activities of their final year at
Gardiner High.
The unique presentation of the
Glass Prophecy was one that was
both fascinating and enjoyable. The
three honor students taking part
were Charlotte Tasting Jewett, Ev-
elyn Louise Libby and Rachel Eliz-
abeth Milton. AS the lights in the
auditorium were darkened, three
ghostly figures appeared on the
stage. proving themselves to be the
three famous witches of Macbeth.
With their cauldron, sand diviner,
and crystal they foretold the future
of the members of the senior class.
This part of the program was as
amusing, as in previous wears. all
sorts of unusual predictions being
made for the classmates
The violin solo, Meditation ReIig-
ieuse" (Thais) was played by Albert
Wilson Henderson, after which Ma
ma Grotton Marson and Perley Ar
thur French presented gifts. Miss
Marson to the boys and Mr.. French
to the girls. These were all of a
humorous nature. and cleverly hit
at some foible of the recipient
For his valedictory address James
Francis Booker, the student attain
ing the highest rank for his four
year course, chose a topic particu-
larly timely. Opportunities in
Maine. He showed that this state
was favored in her diversity Of re-