Graduating Exercises, Class of 1896
"Every seat in the Grand opera house was occupied....to listen to the graduating class
of 1896 of Carthage high school. The decorations of the house were simpler than
every before, thus carrying out the same idea of avoiding ostentation as was displayed
at the closing exercises of the schools on Thursday. The stage was devoid of decorations,
save for a grouping of cut flowers and plants at the center of the footlights, palms in fancy
jardinieres at each side and a draping of the class colors at the rear center entrance."
"It is the first body of graduates to introduce a class yell and to add to all this it is one of the
few, if not the only class to get through the commencement program without a single participant
having to be prompted."
The program opened when the stage curtains were drawn and the students marched from the
rear of the building to the stage, where they were seated during much of the ceremony. This
gave the spectators an interesting view of their graduation finery. "They presented a most
striking appearance at a high school commencement some color was seen among the dresses
of the sweet girl graduates. "Those who varied from the unwritten rule were Miss Elizabeth Hill,
who wore a gown of white silk embroidered mull over pink silk, pink satin belt with full bow at the
back; Miss Rosine Deutsch, a figured organdie over yellow silk; Miss Stella Conard, figured
organdie trimmed in white lace. "All the rest of the young ladies were attired in white dimity
or white organdie. All wore white slippers and gloves. The array of beautifully gowned young
ladies was interspersed here and there with a young gentleman, and a striking feature was the
profusion of Marshal Neil roses, the class flower, worn by the graduates."
Spectators were supplied printed programs, which included a complete class roster, in two
divisions: Latin course---Bessie Baker, Claire Benedict, Stella Conard, Mabel Cushman, Blanche
Dale, Rosine Deutsch, Olive Fugitt, Reuben Fugitt, Westley Halliburton, Elizabeth Hill, Melva
Hughes, Bessie Lundy, John W. McReynolds, Hattie Sewall, Ollie Sleight, Gertrude Wood and
Edna E. Gladden. English course--Walter Arthur, May Atherton, Linnie Baker, Nellie Baynham,
Viola Ristline, Clara Bliss, Thomas H. Boggess, Alta I. Cannon, Bertha Clark, Frank T. Coffin,
Lena Confrey, Charles M. Fry, Mattie Hurst, Clara McReynolds, Nona Platt, James Reid, Lizzie
Russum, Harry H. Smith, Lula M. Stanley and Mayme L. Viernow.
"Weighing Anchor" was the class motto and the class song was the work of John W. McReynolds,
who was termed "the poetic genius of the class." They students were assisted in the vocal rendition
by Mr. and Mrs. John McMillan, Walter Wheatly and Miss Marian Wright. The invocation was by the
Rev. A. J. Van Wagner of the Congregational church and welcome was by Principal E. E. Dodd.
The class present the program, which included a student welcome by Alta Cannon, piano solos by
Elizabeth Hill, Rosine Deutsch and Nellie Baynham and orations or declamations by Westley Halliburton,
Bessie Baker, Melva Hughes, Thomas H. Boggess, Bertha Clark, Edna Gladden, Hattie Sewall and
Frank T. Coffin. Coffin was the first honor student.
The diplomas were delivered to the stage by Dr. L. E. Whitney, president of the board of education,
and presented to the graduates by Miss Virginia Batterton and Miss Carrie Hammons of the high school
faculty. The students then proceeded into adult society to "set the world on fire" and some were highly
successful.