FIRST GRADUATING CLASS BELLWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
It hardly seems possible but it was fifty years ago next month since the first class of boys and girls were graduated from the Bellwood high school. it was a big event in the history of our schools for previous to this time the boys and girls of the schools at that time gave no thought of graduating. A number of members of the class are still living, while others have passedd <sic> over. Many of them are personally konwn <sic> to the older readers of the Bulletin. The account of the exercises appeared in the May 26, 1893 issue of the Bulleetin <sic> and is as follows:
The commencement services of the Bellwood high School attracted a large and appreciative audience to the Presbyterian church on Thursday evening last, 18th inst. It was the first entertainment of the kind which had been furnished our people, and it is therefore a notable event in the history of our public schools.
These have been under the general control of Supt. J. T. Whitaker, and his success, with the aid of an efficient ctrps <sic> of teachers is witnessed in the proficiency in their studies, which the examination of the pupils disclosed. Six members of the high school passed a satisfactory examination under the direction of the Principal, assisted by County Superintendent H. S. Wertz and the President and Secretary of the School Board.
The class consisted of Misses Margaret Glasgow, Berttha <sic> Zimmerman and Messrs. D. Eugene Wentzel, Lucian Jeffries, J. Clement Wary and Wilfred W. McDermitt. Eacch <sic> member of the class took a part in the commencement exercises.
Prayer was offered by the Rev. C. A. Walker. The Salutatory was then pronounced by Wilfred W. McDermitt. In a very creditable manner he performed this service voicing the Salutations of the class to the friends and patrtns <sic> of the school, and the patriotism of the class in a dissentation <sic> on “Our Country”. J. Clement Wray followed with the history of the class, and D. Eugene Wentzel wilth <sic> the class prophesy. These performances were very happy in their conception and abounded in pleasant hits and greatly enjoyed by the large audience. “The Presentations” by Lucian Jeffries qept <sic> the audience in a specially good humor and demonstrated the fact that the young graduates had captured all hearts.
The more grave essay by Bertha Zimmerman was admirably written and read with distinctness and emphasis. The valedictory was pronounced by Margaret Glasgow, and like the others was an excellent production, befitting the occasion and well received. Indeed it would be invidiohs <sic> to discriminate; for all of the young members of the calss <sic> performed their parts with great acceptance to the large audience. It is manifest that they possess talents, which rightly used, will bring them honor and influence among their fellowmen.
Principal Whitaker in a neat and happy address deivered <sic> the diplomas-the first ever granted by the Bellwood school authorities. An address by Rev. J. H. Mathers to the graduating class and the presentation of a basket of handsome flowers by the junior class to Mr. Whitaker, as a token of their esteem for him and their appreciation of his efforts for their instruction, completed the exercises. The beautiful gift from the recipient a chaste expression of his gratitude.
The orchestra furnished the audience a treat in the excellent music which they furnished for the occasion. The selections were good, and the masterly manner in which they rendered them delighted all present. The commencement was pre-eminently a success and ought to stimulate greatly the interest of our people in the public schools. It shows what may be accomplished in this direction with their hearty co-operation and sympathy.
The benediction was pronounced by Rev. J. H. Houseman, when the large congregation dispersed, carrying with them a pleasant impression of the “first commencement” in our public school, and following the graduating class with their benediction.
~ Bellwood Bulletin, 08-Apr-1943, Page 2, Column 2
