Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 June 1918 — COUNTY EDUCATIONAL NOTES [ARTICLE]

COUNTY EDUCATIONAL NOTES

Marion Township Commencement. Trustee Wood of Marion township held his eighth grade commencement at the Consolidated school south of Rensselaer last Friday evening. A large crowd of interested parents and patrons filled the room to listen to the well rendered program. The Rev. J. Budman Fleming of Rensselaer opened and closed the program with a very patriotic invocation and benediction. Music was furnished by an orchestra from the two schools of Fair Oaks and WheatteH. Carroll Burroughs, cornetist, and Ethel Burroughs, pianist. were from the Fair Oaks school orchestra. Essie Helmick, violinist, and Doris Geffert, snare and bass drums and bells, were from the Wheatfield orchestra. They furnished excellent music for all of the general numbers. Wilda Littlefield of Rensselaer favored the audience with a much appreciated vocal solo. Miss Beatrice Tilton and sister played a piano and violin accorati'paniment to this solo. Miss Beatrice Tilton rendered a violin solo that was received with appropriate applause. Her younger sister played the piano accompaniments for this violin solo. Prof. Thomas F. Moran held the audience spellbound for a full hour extolling the virtpes of the Sammies and elucidating the treachery of the German militarists. He voiced his conviction that the United States was ordained by the Divine to deliver the oppressed of Europe from the mailed fist of the kaiserists. The audience remained in close breathed silence from beginning to end and expressed their approval of Prof. Moran's well balanced patriotic convictions by an extended applause. Superintendent Sterrett called upon David Horse wood to make himself known since he was the winner of the highest county grade. The boy acquitted himself very favorably by giving his views on attending high school. Superintendent fjferrett then spoke briefly upon the significance of the exercises and the ease v-ith which the pupils eould get a misconception of graduation. The county superintendent then recommended the class to Trustee Wood to confer the honors of graduation upon the seventeen boye and girls graduating. Trustee Wood in a very pleasing manner discharged his part of the program. He gave the class some very carefully prepared advice which was so wholesome that they eaeh felt a conviction setting to enroll in the high school the coming year. The exercises were about two hours in length and the program so varied that pivoted interest was secured -at every moment". The school room was tastefully decorated. Mrs. Harvey Wood and mothers of the graduating class came to the Consolidated school during the afternoon and by sacrifice well known to everybody gawe the room an appearance that furnished a larger part of the inspiration of the evening.

I Newton Township Commencement. i The Newton township commencement was held at the Huntington | home west of Blue Grass last Friday afternoon. Prof. Thomas F. Moran delivered one of the most acceptable patriotic addresses that has yet been deiikered in this ; county. Prof. Moran emphasized the point that the fourteen graduates were living at a time when opportunity was at its best. He made the young men and women understand that their one great duty now was preparedness by becoming efficient thinkers. He argued I with exceptional fluency and interest that to develop into efficient thinkers it was very necessary for them to continue their schooling. Prof. Moran spoke to an audience i that was intent upon getting every word he uttered. Ellen Mauck and sister Edna gave a recitation that was well rendered. Delbert Stutzman sang a solo without accompaniment with exceptional success. Superintendent Sterrett presented the class to Trustee Rush. In presenting the class Superintendent . Sterrett made an earnest appeal to , the parents of the graduates that they use their influence to get the members of that class into high ' school the coming year. Trustee Rush made a very interesting talk in behalf of a commencement, ar- | gning that the commencement I should be accepted as a beginning in I school and not quitting. Mr. Rush I was very glad to inform Superintendent Sterrett that Newton had a ; record of sending its eighth grade graduates on to high .school. The Rev. C. w. Postfll of Rensselaer i gave a very inspiring as well as ! patriotic invocation and benedici tion. A joint orchestra from the I Wheatfield and Fair Oaks schools j famished music for the occasion ' which was very much appreciated, j Miss Helmiek of the Wheatfield ; school favored the audience with a well rendered violin sold. Mr. and Mrs. Siuntington. aided by the mothers of the graduates, had their home decorated for this affair in an elegant way. Mr. Rush was very ' fortunate to get the commencement i held at their home. Their large front poreh was superbly suited to i the affair.