School: Greenwood H.S. Commencement (07 Jun 1901)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hogue, Warner, Sheets, Dawes, Fradette, Pratt, Carpenter, Hunt

----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Clark Co., Wis.) 14 Jun 1901

Friday evening, June 7, 1901, at the Woodmen Hall, occurred the third annual commencement of the Greenwood High School.

The weather did not prove as favorable as it might, but nevertheless the hall was crowded and the exercises good. The people began to assemble at 7:30 and continued until 8 o'clock, when the Mandolin Club played a selection which was the opening of the evening's program. The hall was tastily decorated with different kinds of plants and ferns, and the class seated in the semi-circle on the state. The class motto, "To the Stars Thru Bolts and Bars," was conspicuously displayed at the top of the stage opening.

The first oration given was that by Stella Hogue on "One Woman's Life." In this she revealed to us the greatness and nobility in the life of the late Queen Victoria. Also the thoughtfulness with which she looked up to the day when she should be the ruler of that great country, Great Britain. The next oration was given by Daisy Sheets, which told us the value of our forests, their uses, their nature and ending with a plea for their protection and preservations. Bessie Warner's oration, "Doing, Not Dreaming," was well delivered and evinced good thought and noble ideals. In her oration on Iago, Emma Dawes pictured clearly his life and character. The class prophecy, as read by Jas. Fradette, was fine and caused no small enthusiasm. According to his theory, the class, to our regret, is to be far from us, which, we hope, will not be true. The last but not least, was the valedictory by Pearl Pratt. She told of the history of the class, also of the happy school days that have been theirs. The duet by Misses Gail Sheets and Naomi Carpenter was enjoyed very much, also the male quartet. H.W. Hunt presented the diplomas and gave a few minutes' talk to the class, teachers and audience. A selection from the Mandolin Club closed the exercises of the evening.

All but two of the graduates have attended this school since childhood, and it is with pleasure that we see them entering, as we hope, the higher and still broader studies of life. The best wishes of all are with the class of '01, and may the bars spoken of in their motto, be easily opened and close behind them, and at last after years of toil when their commencement has been completed, reach those stars where a crown is awaiting them.