Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1902 — Annual Commencement Exercises. [ARTICLE]

Annual Commencement Exercises.

The Class oi M 2, With Eighteen Members End High School Life Most Creditably. The Twentieth Annual Commencement of Rensselaer High School at Opera House Thursday night drew an immense crowd, every seat being taken, almost as soon as on sale. -The class of ’O2 whose motto is “Nulla Vestigia Retrorsum,” colors “Royal purple and white,” flower “Carnation,” and yell Pandemonium, consisted of eighteen handsome girls and boys, ten of whom are boys, an unusual combination for a graduating class. The entertainment opened with prayer by Rev. Hall, after which the first graduate, Edna Wildberg gave a piano solo "Faust,” this was a charming piece of music and showed great skill and much training in so young a girl. In his oration “Anarchy” by Ross Dean, he gave logical reasons for his belief that Anarohy is the direct result of our free immigrations laws, whioh admit all foreigners, particularly Italians and Polish from the hot beds of Anaroy itself. This oration was delivered in a modest but forceful manner, and showed that he had thought well upon his subject. The “Boy Orator of Zepata City” by Bessie Eger was very entertaining and was listened to in breathless silence, and held closest attention, a proof that it was well recited. Mrs. Ray Wood’s vocal solo was enjoyed by all as her songs always are. In the debate, “Resolved that Trusts as now organized are a detriment to the people of the United States,” the affirmative Mabel Huston and Vern Kaub carried conviction in their arguments, she by her girlish prettiness as well as the beauty of her address, and he by the sound convincing reasoning, delivered with a force and convincing power surprising in one of his years. The neg-itive by Isabelle Lucre and Glen Wiahard carried conviction in the same manner, and argued so well from this point of view that their hearers were left in a very undecided state of mind as to the question. The Quartet “June” by Jesse Fox and Ross Benjamin, Ada Nowels and Ella Watson was a carol of joy. Never Orioles or Robins piped their delight in the joys of June more fulsomely than these young people in their song. The recitation “Two Gentlemen of Kentucky” by Alice Bates held the audience spell bound, she spoke low, but with suoh feeling that she oarried her audience with her to “The Old Kentuoky Home” and every word was distinctly audible, and very impressive. A violin solo by Prof. W. D. Perkins accompanied by . Mrs. Hollingsworth was received with joy by the audience, andjwas well done. Mr. Hollingsworth, president of the sohool board now presented the diplomas, in his usual oourtly manner and the audienoe reoeived a good view of the graceful girls in their fairy like white robes, and the good looking manly boys, as well as a glimpse of the charming lady teachers of the High Sohool, who handed around the bine ribboned prizes. The class song by Jean Edna McFarland, music by Mrs. G. K. Hollingsworth, finished the evening. It was very appropriate, in some parts as the following lines, “Though the Juniors may despise us, And the Freshies out our hair, We’ve the Sophs, who will stand by us MMhat have we at all to care.” The olasa spirit was displayed 4»

with characteristic vim and again, “Ne’er again in that old High School Shall we stand in awful dread Of the teachers and instructors With their sly and stealthy tread ” A lusty yell with barbarous infections as all of them are, from eighteen trained throats sent the crowd home laughing The colors of the olass were displayed on the stage and a few potted plants in the foreground and a soene of verdent beauty behind them form a good setting for the white dresses of the maidens and the dressy suits of the boys. No flowers were displayed, though many were received, and of all the costly and beautiful presents given to the graduates none were in evidence, a proof of the correct taste and good breeding of the young people themselves as well as those in charge. Three oheers for the maids and men that form the class of ’O2 long may they flourish. Tbe following are the names of the graduates. Alice Bates Mabel Huston Ross Dean Jean McFarland George Hemphill NinaMartindale Orabelle Duvall Glen Wishard Jos. Moosmiller Trevor Eger Bessie A. Eger Arthur Tuteur Verne Kaub Edna Wildberg Rufus B. Knox Ray C. Yeoman Isabelle J. Luers Roe E. Yeoman