History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon.
Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon
GRADUATION EXERCISES, HOOD RIVER
From Hood River Glacier May 12, 1899
Published by the Hood River News, June 16, 1944
The class of twelve graduates front the eighth grade,
Hood River school, held their commencement exercises at the U.B. Church,
Friday evening, May 5th. The church was beautifully decorated, the color
effect of blue and white, the class colors, being carried out. The rostrum
and ceiling was festooned alternately with blue and white bunting looped
back with blue and white ribbon. The bunting falling in long, soft graceful
folds gave a splendid effect. The chancel railing was banked with Oregon
grape and crowned with apple blossoms. Placed here and there were palms or
vases of wild fern. The church was packed until there wasn't standing room,
and many were turned away at the door. Prompt at 8 PM. the class marched
in to Hornbach's "Triumphal March", played by Miss Anne Smith at the piano,
E.E. Blodgett, cornet, and E.K. Bartmess, violin. Rev. J.L. Hershner opened
the exercises by prayer. Misses Nellie Kemp, Mary Wolfard, Lillian Shutes
and Gladys Hartley sang a beautiful piece entitled "Let us Gather Bright
Flowers." Miss Nettie Kemp gave a neatly worded salutatory and then a short
discourse on "America's Relations with the Philippines," reviewing the cause
of the American Spanish War, and the value of the Philippines and disposition
of the natives.
Miss Belle Howell spoke upon the value of "The Red Cross
Society -- An Ameri-can Institution." She spoke briefly of its working and
paid high tribute to Clara Barton and her co-workers. Miss Pearl Cox's oration
on "Purpose and Will" contained a beautiful sentiment. At this point in the
program Miss Agnes Ingbretson, as representative of the seventh grade made
a presentation of a beautiful floral piece, arranged in the form of a ladder
and tied with both class colors, in a carefully worded speech. C.P. Logsdon
Jr., president of the graduating class, responded in a few concise words,
thanking them for their thoughtfulness and esteem. Miss Nellie Clark in the
rendering of the song "Just as the Sun Went Down," did exceedingly well.
Miss Ida Stranahan gave a brief but carefully worded review of the "Life
and Works of Longfellow." E. Hinrichs had Whittier as his subject. Mr. Hinrichs
brought out quite forcibly Whittier's connection with the anti-slavery cause,
and his pictures of home and boyhood life. The class of '98 represented by
Miss Agnes Dukes, in a neat little speech, presented each member in the class
of '99 with a lovely bunch of red and white carnations. An acceptance and
response was ably made by Miss Mary Wolfard in behalf of the class of '99.
Miss Althea Parsons gave a good sketch of "Character", its value and importance,
showing that she had given her subject much thought. "American Inventions
and Inventors" was well handled by Miss Gladys Hartley. She brought before
us the principal inventors, from Watt down to Edison and Bell, and their
inventions and their effect upon the progress of mankind. The quartet by
Foley, Logsdon and Bartmess Bros. was nicely rendered. The "Present, Past
and Future," by S.H. Blowers, was one of the most interesting orations of
the evening. It will be published in next week's Glacier. The valedictory
by C.P. Logsdon, Jr., was well worded, thanking every one in general for
their interest in educational matters; paying tribute to the class instructors
and giving a word of encouragement to classmates. His ora-tion on "America"
and his manner of delivery promise something better than the ordinary in
the future.
Misses Mary Wolfard and Gladys Hartley played a very
pretty duet on the piano. Rev. J.T. Merrill earnestly addressed the class
for ten minutes. R.R. Allard, principal of the school, in a few concise words
presented the diplomas to the class. The chorus "When Circles are Broken",
was well sung. One member of the class, L.C. Baldwin, was absent on account
of sickness.
This is the second exercise of its kind in Hood River,
and the classes of '98 and '99 have established precedents hard to excel.
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