Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1927-05-26
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
DREW IMMENSE AUDIENCE

SIdI are Interested III our SCHOOLS
and our young people, was very evi-
dent last Thursday night, when at
the commencement, the opera house
was inadequate to accommodate all
those who went to attend the exer-
cises. The members of the class,
who numbered an even half-hun-
dred, were seated on the stage. They
wore caps and gowns. The stage
decorations were pennants and pot
ted ferns. On stand in the center
of the stage was rose, placed in
honor of the late Charles Havener, a
member of the class, who died in his
sophomore year. Rev. e. F. Kendle
of the Main Street Church of Christ,
made the invocation. The class was
presented by Supt. G.. e. Carr, who
stated that it was the second largest
class of M. & M. Following the class
presentation, Harry Stull, salutator-
ian, made his address. His subject
was "The American Home of To-
day" The speaker took firm stand
for what is commonly termed the
more parental training and authority
the one with more religion. The
American home he said is fast be-
coming as has been stated by some
one, like filling station, where we
stop only long enough to replenish
the necessities of life. We have suf-
ficient housekeeping today, but need
more homemaking, he emphasized.
Marion Fisher, valedictorian, had
for the subject of his address, the
Washington Naval Disarmament
Conference" He recited briefly the
history of the disarmament confer
ence which was called by President
Harding. The United States, he
stated, had fulfilled its agreement in
that conference, to the letter, and
had destroyed real ships, while 9TH
er powers had destroyed blue prints
only. He believes that we should
have navy of sufficient strength to
protect our interests, and believes
that the American people in general
feel the same way about it. If
America continues as at present, the
speaker stated that by the year 1892
we would be fourth rate naval
power. Applying his subject to the
class, he mentioned that
the class thus far had been develop
ing armament for life's battles
that such armament is necessary to
meet life's competition. The ad-
dresses of Messrs. Stull and Fisher
were mastery efforts and were well
delivered.
The class address was given by T.
c. McCracken, dean of the college OF
of Ohio university. The
occasion, the speaker said, was
a great event-especially for the
1927 graduating class he was ad-
dressing, since the members of the
class had reached crisis in their |
ives-an important milestone. He |
would divide lives into four mile |
stones. First the religious mile |
stone, when young people unite with
he church; second, the commence
nent milestone; third might be con-
'idered their marriage, and the
'ourth, the end of life in this world.
rhe speaker used as basis of his
address G.. Stanley Halls "Climb to
he top of hill to find himself"
The graduates of M. & M. high
school had, he said, through their
school life climbed to the top of the
ill, it might be stated, and like G..
stanley Hall, all look ahead to the
problems that will come. Many
,eaks lie before them-some higher
md harder to ascend than others.
rhe peaks or problems of life, all
must face-they will see hills loom
ng up, and still greater hills be-
'ond-they must meet the problems
md try to be something and give
omething to humanity. On the
,uidepost of life's pathway, Mr.. Nc
,racken would have but two arms
'ointing the way. On one would be
Inscribed "Be Somebody" On the
ther, "Do Something" Whatever is
lone, do it your best. To accom-
'lish the most, the body and mind
hould be kept sound and working
long proper lines. Look carefully
o the leisure hours and select the
light sort of companions, the speak
r said, and keep your character
lean and spotless, and in the end be
BILE to be something and do some
hing as good citizens. Quoting from
prominent educator he said, "Pull
our own weight and do not be a
rag on any one" Become culti-
ated men and women, and keep the
lind open to development through
ut life.
Hon. C. B. Smith, member of the
oard of education, presented the
iplomas. Mr.. Smiths address was
ouched in purest English and was
real literary gem. If subject
'ere applied to his address, it would i
e "What is man that thou art mind
ll of him?" The question, Mr..
mith stated, had never been an
wered. He spoke of the human
rain, with it's imaginations, which r
ules the world. The wonderful in ;
entions and everything we see :
bout us. made by mankind, he said :
ere first in mans mind-were first c
nagined. To make those imagina- 7
ons come true requires hard work
every successful person along any 8
ne has been hard worker. Mr.. :
mith's talk was a commencement :,
ddress, complete, in itself. r
Music was furnished by the high q
,hool orchestra, under the direc- q
on OF the music supervisor, Miss +