The first ever commencement exercises were held for the Wiconisco High School on May 26, 1899. The Lykens Register of June 1, 1899, reported the event with more than a mere mention:
Wiconisco Commencement
On Friday evening, May 26, the commencement exercises of the graduating class of the Wiconisco High School were held in the Methodist Episcopal Church. There were nine in the class — Misses Mary E. Mack, Stella I. Howell, Flora M. King, Rachel R. Sierer, Emma Dodd, Elizabeth G. O’Brein, Cori I. Gerhart, Flora E. Orndorff, and Clarence E. Prout.
About eight o’clock, standard time, the teachers followed by the directors of the schools, Superintendent R. M. McNeal, and the class marched from the basement of the church to the platform. The class sat in a semi-circle with Prof. C. H. Winter and the teachers and directors at both sides.
Music was furnished during the evening by the orchestra under the skillful leadership of Theodore Gordon.
The Rev. S. H. Chubb of the Evangelical Church opened the exercises with prayer.
“The Effects of Music” by Clarence E. Prout was the first essay given. This young gentleman had a subject very appropriate to him as he is a musician himself with a talent for music. He spoke of the refining influence of music upon the individual, and said that it is the only art mentioned in the Bible. He mentioned Pathagoras [sic] who said that the planets and all other heavenly bodies made music in their revolutions too refined for human ears to perceive. His essay was an excellent production.
Mary E. Mack read the class History, and very pleasantly and humorously told the things of each one’s school life.
Mr. William E. Schoffstall, secretary of the school board, was the board’s representative on the program. With characteristic earnestness he told of the value of education. He pointed out the young men who have gone from this community to success in their chosen professions and occupation, and very correctly placed the credit to the education which they received in the public schools of Wiconisco. He pleaded for more interest in education and gave appropriate advice to the graduates.
“The Beauties of Nature” was a very good production by Stella L. Howell. That close observation reveals beauty in every created thing was the leading thought of the essay. The blue of the sky and the green of the leaf have beauty in them only when we take time to give them more than passing notice.
“While We Should Go To College” was the subject of Flora M. King‘s essay. The necessity for a higher education was shown.
The press today devotes too much space to sensational matters. News of this kind is given the most prominent place with the largest headlines. Whole columns are filled with pictures of crime and scandal. Rachael R. Sierer ably and clearly treated these faults of the press in her “Mistakes of the Public Press.”
“Our Late War” was recited by Emma Dodd, giving the principal events of the troubles with Spain.
Elizabeth G. O’Brien looked out into the future, and very humorously foretold in her “Prophecy” what awaited each member of class here. All are to be successful. The only boy of the class is to be president of the United States.
The essay on “Society,” by Cora I Gerhart, was full of truth. She said that in society mothers pay no motherly care in rearing their children. They are put in the care of nurses. Every child needs the loving care, which is part of the duty of the mother. Nurses are sometimes of low character, or have some trait which ought not to be brought in contact with a child. The child often on account of its society mother’s neglect loses or does not develop a proper love for this parent. This state of affairs is deplored and should be discouraged.
“The Modern Girl” received her just estimate from Flora E. Orndorff. She made a comparison of the girl of years ago and the girl of to-day far in advance of the other. Unlike the girl of years ago the modern girl is not above learning the duties of housekeeping along with other accomplishments. She quoted a foreign lady of rank who is very familiar with household work. The modern girl considers this knowledge an accomplishment, and a very necessary part of every woman’s education.
The essay on “The North American Indian” by Elizabeth G. O’Brien carried with it the honors of the valedictory. It was a neat composition. The origin of the name Indian was explained, and their habits, customs, and nature were carefully treated. Most of the Indians of to-day, she said, are civilized, and are gradually adapting themselves to the customs of the Whites.
Miss O’Brien, also, on behalf of the class, addressed herself to Prof. C. H. Winder and Miss Annie M. Keene, the instructors of the class. She spoke of the class’ deep regard for them, and what they as a class owe them. Her words were kind and well chosen.
After two years of close relationship, as teacher, none but tender words could be expected from Prof. C. H. Winder. He told them that they should not expect to have an easy time, now that they had completed the course of the public schools. This was in truth a commencement of affairs in their lives which would be filled with arduous duty. He wished them success in what they hereafter ay undertake, and cautioned them not to cease working for higher education.
It was the pleasant duty of our respected county superintendent to present the diplomas, but before presenting them he addressed the audience. His speech was to the point and well suited to existing conditions. He asked why it was that Wiconisco did not have a graduating class every year, as other towns of large size have. An education is an absolute necessity. It should not be left to the child as to whether it will go to school or not. The maturer judgment of the parent should decide the question. In most cases a child will decide against school. He told the story of a boy whose father gave him the choice of an education or a bicycle, and the boy chose the bicycle. Work is attractive to a by only from a financial point of view. He receives pay and on pay-day spends his money, which generally is spent foolishly. After his plea for the education of the boys and girls he presented the class with the diplomas. The exercises closed with music by the orchestra.
After the conclusion of the exercises he graduates, Prof. C. H. Winder, Miss Annie M. M. Keene and Superintendent R. M. McNeal went to the home of Miss Estella Howell where a banquet was prepared.
The Class of ’99 is the first class graduating from our schools for twelve years. Prof. C. H. Winder deserves great credit for keeping the class together, and for the work covered. They have studied more than is generally studied in high schools of similar grade. Thirty chapters of Caesar’s Gallic war and botany. Prof. Winter is a careful and conscientious teacher, he is an earnest advocate of higher education and has eared the respect of the community.
A class should be graduated from our schools each year. But this can be done only when the school attendance is kept up sufficiently well to cause higher class standing.
A graduating class gives rank to our schools, created respect for our town outside of its borders and is an incentive to undergraduates to higher work. It also shows a healthy educational spirit, without which the manners and morals of a community usually fail. It would be well for the class just passing out of our school to organize that it may be of the greatest usefulness in helping along an educational sentiment.
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News article obtained from Newspapers.com.
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