1931 GRADUATING EXERCISES ATTRACT LARGE ATTENDANCE

Students, Parents and Friends Present at High and Vocational School Event

PRESENTATIONS MADE

Diplomas, Medals and Scholarships are Awarded

Valedictory Address Given

[The Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 26 November 1931]

The auditorium at the Welland high and vocational school was well filled last night with students, parents and friends on the occasion of the annual graduating exercises. An atmosphere of eager expectancy pervaded the assembly and met its climax when the orchestra, under the leadership of Norman Tuckwell, struck the opening notes of the march for the graduating classes. Led by Principal Guy E. Johnson, the large class took its place in the seats reserved at the front of the auditorium.

H.W. Macoomb, chairman of the Welland board of education, presided and other members of the board present with him on the platform were: Mrs. H.E. Thompkins, vice-chairman, David Rose, W.J. Thomas, J.J. Haffey and Emile Darte. Principal Guy E. Johnson, A.L. Smith and John Young, of the advisory board of the vocational school were also on the platform.

Valedictory Address

Described by the chairman as one of the best delivered at the high school in years, the valedictory address by Miss Evelyn Sinclair, was exceptionally clever and merited the spontaneous applause accorded her by the audience. Miss Sinclair referred to the appreciation of the graduating class in the new high and vocational school, and paid special tribute to Principal Johnson and his competent staff. “His firmness, sympathy, kindliness and impartiality have won our respect and admiration,” Miss Sinclair asserted. The valedictorian urged graduating classes of succeeding years to uphold the traditions and honor of the school, which she, with her class, was leaving with deep regret, and concluded with Newbolt’s beloved poem, “The Best School of All.”

Lauds Achievements

In his remarks Mr. Macoomb lauded the academic and athletic achievements of the students at the Welland high and vocational school, stressing particularly the winning of the Carter scholarships for Welland county. He referred to the admirable loyalty and school spirit evidenced by the school body and concluded his address in a humorous vein to the evident delight of the assembly.

Trustee Thomas presented the medals and cups won at the 1931 field day as follows: medal for senior girls’ field day championship, Fanny Feriole; medal for senior boys’ field day championship, Jack Paddon; medal for intermediate boys’ field day championship, Ernest Crick; medal for junior boys’ field championship, Walter Lee; James, Fred and Ruth Payne cup for senior girls’ championship, Sybil Cheshire; A.B. MacLean, Jack Paddon; Eyre Davis, shield for junior boys’ championship, Walter Lee.

The Strathcona medal for marksmanship was presented to Herbert W. Hilder, by W.J. Kay of the Welland high and vocational school staff.

A feature of particular interest was the presentation of the Carter scholarships. Miss Jennie Brennan, of the staff of the Welland high school, awarded the Second Carter scholarship to Fisher Davidson and paid glowing tribute to the brilliant record achieved by Mr. Davidson during his five years at the  school. Miss Martha Farr, described by Miss Joan Keeler, who presented the honor, as one of the most versatile of the clever scholars attending the school, was awarded the Third Carter scholarship.

Medals Presented

The presentation of the principal’s medals was an interesting feature, the medals being awarded by Principal Johnson to the holders of the best records in general and commercial departments. Miss Phyllis Demery received the first principal’s medal for commercial, while the medal in the general was presented to Miss Evelyn Sinclair.

Mrs. Thompkins and Mr. Macoomb presented the high school graduation diplomas to the following students: Ethel McCollum, Marjorie Minnes, Marion Orsini, Nelda Palmer, June Porter, Mary Rolph, Evelyn Sinclair, Louise Toney, Evelyn Whittle, James Allan, Lloyd Brown, Ernest Creighton, Leo Cutler, James Delaney, William Delaney, Arnold McDonald, Aubrey McLaughlin, Hugh McMillan, Steve Miller, Clarence Oliver, Lawrence Robbins, Arthur Scott, Jack Smith, James Voltz.

Diplomas Awarded

The senior commercial diplomas presented by A.L. Smith as follows: Sybil Cheshire, Elizabeth Harrison, Muriel Hodgson, Marjorie Leon, Sylvia Lewis, Mabel Munday, Pina Orsini, Joyce Tipney, Ileta Way, Phyllis Demery, Evelyn Howick, Dora Beckett, Leona Belair, Rose Clayton, Marjorie McCulloch, May Wilson, Helen Brown, Doris Rice, Sidney Crow, Jack Kean, Walter Swick, Michael Kazimir, Joseph Nybida, John Zadwirny, William Ort.

Miss Jean Weaver received her junior commercial diploma.

The high and vocational school orchestra, led by N. Tuckwell, with Marjorie Doan and M. Malagutti at the piano, entertained with several splendid selections during the evening and the exercises concluded with the singing of “O Canada.”