CLASS OF TWELVE RECEIVES DIPLOMAS FROM STATE HOME IMPRESSIVE GRADUATION EXERCISES STATE HOME HIGH FRIDAY NIGHT Three boys and nine girls received their diplomas at the graduating exercises of the high school at the State Orphan Home on Friday evening. Miss Ruth Thomas was the valedictorian of the class, and Will T. Hurtt was awarded second honors. For their application these two young people were awarded scholarships in a number of Texas institutions of higher learning. Miss Thomas re- ceived nine such scholarships and Mr. Hurtt received seven similar ones. The speaker for the occasion was Professor J. W. Pender. Professor of Government at the North Texas State Teachers College at Denton. Texas. Mr. Ponder is well known not only in educational circles of the state of Texas, but is a leader in the activities of the Masonic fraternity of the state. He is well known in Corsicana. Rev. Ilion T. Jones, pastor of the Third Avenue Presbyterian Church of Corsicana delivered the invocation. A mixed chorus se- lected from the Boys’ and Girls’ Glee Clubs rendered a selection. “Come Where the Lilies Bloom” under the direction of Miss Hallie Sadler, head of the music depart- ment of the Home. Mrs. E. P. Zincke of Corsicana sang “The Song of the Robin,” and was the recipient of great applause. The closing exercises of the State Home school were excellently arranged. Slayton Phelps, prin- cipal of the high school presided. The graduates marched to their places upon the platform to the strains of a processional played by Miss Mattie Smith, instructor in music. Each young lady carried a bouquet of flowers—gifts of the faculty. The two young people who delivered addresses on behalf of their classmates deported them- selves excellently and were the objects of much praise by the visit- tors, friends and especially Professor Pender. More than the ordinary graduating impressiveness sur- rounded the occasion. Of the twelve receiving diplomas, some of them had called the State Orphan Home their own home for over thirteen years. The closing mo- ments became for them more than any ordinary graduation exer- cises. Some of them were stepping from the home which had shelt- ered them, and not only had given them educational advantages, but had taken the place in the best manner possible of loved ones and other advantages of which they had been deprived. Such a tone was evident among the graduates, their faces showing their thoughts, and their words as expressed through the two of their members who ad- dressed the gathered audience, giving evidence of their thoughts upon the occasion. Will T Hurtt delivered the ad- dress of salutation. I present to you the senior class of 1926. We have long awaited this chance to stand before an ap- preciative audience to receive the reward for our labors or, as it might be, for our shortcomings. I am here to welcome you, on behalf of the graduating class I welcome; First, this occasion tonight. We welcomed the chance to enter high school. We have enjoyed our associations with our teachers and our many sessions in the class rooms. We welcomed the algebra, English and history; we welcomed the many disappointments and the many joys that arise from high school. Then we welcomed the privilege to work for the reward that, will be, ours tonight. When we gathered on this stage tonight I realized that a vital change was about to take place in our lives, yet we welcome this change. Next we welcome the opportunity to face the open world. We welcome it because of the flock of friends that wish us well. Classmates, our sun is sinking, in the West but in the East we see the moon riding in all her glory. The bright sun of high school must give way to the sober moon of a, higher plain and a greater ambition. When we quit this stage tonight we will be in the open world that we welcome at this moment. Third we welcome the faculty. Due praise cannot be given to the teachers who have borne with us so patiently. They have reproved our misdemeanors and rejoiced in our triumphs. We again welcome the members of the high school Fourth, we welcome the junior class of ‘26. Next year they will sit on the stage as the graduating class. We extend a hearty welcome to the class that is to fill our places as seniors. Next, we extend a welcome to the Sophomore and Freshman classes. These classes merit our welcome because they are graduates in the making. We extend our welcome to the grammar school faculty and the grammar school students. A few short years, gram- mar school students and you will be the graduating class. To the friends and strangers, in our midst tonight, we offer the hand of friendship and bid you welcome. In welcoming tonight, we must not forget the loved ones who have rejoiced with our successes and mourned at our failures. If you are not here tonight, mother, father, sister or brother, we welcome you just the same. May God bless all of your days. If you are present tonight we open the doors of our hearts and show you the chamber of "love." Over the door of this chamber you will see the word "welcome." Turning then to his classmates, Mr. Hurtt said, "Be not too quick to welcome anything which will degrade the reputation of your fellow man, or anything which is gossip or will ruin the life of others. Rather let us live so that we may always welcome back memories of this moment as we sit here in this circles. Miss Ruth Thomas in delivering the Valedictory address took for her subject: "Why We Call It. Commencement." Her remarks were in this manner. Undoubtedly we have often wondered why at the end of each school year, when the graduates have their closing exercises, we call it commencement instead of "finishment.” It does seem logical that we could say the finishing exercises of the senior class of '26, as we really have completed our high school course, but when we get down to brass tacks and consider the real meaning of the word we are prevented from doing so. „ "Commencement," Webster says, "Is the act, fact, or time of commencing; the day when, or the ceremonies at which, degrees are conferred by colleges and un- iversities, upon students and others; it is also applied to the graduating academies and schools." Then he tells us that to finish is to complete, terminate, cease or reach the end of a course, task or undertaking.” Now I think we have a clearer conception of the two words, commencement and finishing, we can readily see the distinction between them. If we were to call the closing exercises of each year the finishing exercises instead of commencing exercises as we customarily do we would be expected to throw down our pencils, get rid of all our books and tablets, and consider the whole situation completed. There would be no use of attending college or continuing one’s education, for has not Webster told us that to finish a course is to come to an end. But after all is said and done, we call the graduating exercises that long hoped for event of a student’s life, commencement and why? Because we are commencing. It is true that our high school days are gone but our real life is beginning. We are really expected to acc- omplish something now. We are to cont- inue our education; to extend our welcome in life and Father Time to make us what he thinks best. We have reached the point of starting and we can go out to seek our fortune, see the world, meet larger and more difficult obstacles, face them, overpower them, learn and be learned. And what a joy and honor it is to know that you are on the verge of commencing life anew! What a consolation and satisfaction it is to know that you have applied yourself so well while in school that you are to be awarded a diploma! How many little pleasures we all have had during “school days.” We have had temptations that we did not overcome, examinations that seemed unimportant and difficult, themes that were too long, dry and boresome, math problems that only the professor could solve. All these little troubles seemed like insurmountable obstacles then but now we realize that they were only streaks of sunshine that promise happiness and brightness for the future. Oh, what fun we have had in our high school days. The many jokes that were played on the students, how the teachers would catch the boys napping in class, the girls giggling, sweethearts throwing notes and the like. But alas, joy cannot go on forever. There must be a turning point and the seniors of ’26 have reached theirs now. The time we dread most of all is upon us—the time to say goodbye. When one prepares to make a long journey and to leave a home that has sheltered and protected him for many years, he experiences a pang of sorrow mingled with a feeling of pleasant anticipation. We, before you tonight, will soon begin a long journey, a journey which involves disappointments and temptations, which mingles success and failure, which combines joys and sorrows, and which finally ends at the inevitable goal. When our minds traverse the past happy memories or carefree joys and unrestraining youth causes us to wonder what the future holds for us. It is needless to say that we have been happy here, though at times we did not realize it. We love State Home, for what it is, for what it has done, and what it shall do. We love its teachers, its employees and its boys and girls from the youngest to the oldest. It is with sad hearts that we leave you. We shall miss you more than you can ever know. Years from now when we have succeeded or failed or become mere human driftwood, think of the class of ’26 and know that we remember you and love you. Know too, that we have endeavored especially during our senior year to put into the home and school the best within us. We are going out now with that same intention. We ap- preciate too much the kind and efficient instruction our loved teachers have given us. We hope that they will forget our mis- demeanors in remembering our regard for them. “Good-bye!’ it shall not be farewell. We hope again to meet; But happy hours are ever short, And days of youth are fleet. “There’s much to learn and much to do; Oh may our aims be high, And ever lead toward that bright land. Where none shall say, “Good-bye!” Mr. Pender was introduced by Superintendent Donald McDonald of the Home, Mr. McDonald re- ferred to the speaker as one of the leaders in educational affairs of Texas and in a large degree respon- sible for the excellent training which graduates of the State Teachers’ College at Denton are receiving. Professor Pender commenced his remarks by referring to a visit which he made to Corsicana over twenty-five years ago at the time when this city was host to the Texas State Teachers’ Association. “At the time,” he said, “there was arranged for us a trip of in- section to this institution, and to the sister institution nearby which is fostered by that great fraternal order. “As I drove into your campus this evening,” he said, “my thoughts traveled back to that time and the question came to mind, “why all of this expenditure by the State of Texas? Why all of this expenditure of money for the erection of building where you might sleep and eat? Why all of this expenditure for teachers and for your superintendent?” “I think that the State of Texas demands an answer to that question. I think that the tax payers of this great State have a right to ask why all of this is being done for you. I think that they have the right to challenge the officer of this State who are making these expenditures of money to tell why they do this. “As these questions came to my mind, there came also the answer. The first answer I think is the answer to that great question, “Am I my brother’s keeper? Here you children are fed and clothed and maintained. Some of you have no other home. Some of you have no close loved ones. Here is this wonderful institution the people of Texas are giving you a home. Here they are doing their utmost to be to you a father and a mother, and in some way to compensate you for what you have lost. It is because of the great heart of Texas that you have these advantages. “Governments are very careful in their protection of industry. They make special efforts to de- velop it. They appropriate great sums of money for the advance- ment of the study of latest meth- ods in agriculture. The have ex- periment farms where they study plants. They have great farms where they breed stock to develop a better breed. But all of these activities are nothing as compared with the development of the boys and girls of our State. It is noth- ing as compared with the care and the culture of the boys and girls. And I think tonight that the first great answer to the question of why all of this expenditure can be found right here in this magnificent class of graduates. “Another answer to this great question can be found right her in your superintendent and your corps of teachers. I want to say to you teachers that your place here isn’t like that of the ordinary teacher. You are taking the place of brother and sister, father and mother to these boys and girls, and if your hearts do not respond to that call you have no place here. The child who is deprived of loved ones must look somewhere for that love and sympathy. They look to you, and you must give them more than just mental training; you must give them something of the spirit. This graduating class is the answer to your efforts here. It is worth all of your efforts to have them go out, and take their places as citizens of Texas. We talk a great deal about the saving of crops. There is nothing greater than the saving of a soul or a life. We talk of investing in bonds and stocks. There is no investment which will pay the returns as will investments in the lives of young people. So I take pride with you a citizen of Texas n this great work that you are doing. My heart thrills with yours, and I can truthfully say that as a taxpayer and a citizen, I am satisfied." Turning to the young graduates near him. Professor Pender asked them. "What is your response? How will you meet the people of Texas when you go out into the world? What can Texas expect of you as a citizen? "First it depends upon your record. 1 do not mean the record which you have left here in the archives of this institution. I mean the record which you have left here upon the lives and the minds of your associates. How will you be regarded by those you leave behind? Do you leave lessons which will strengthen? Your record will never be recorded on the pages of history, but upon the lives of others. Your answer then will be to see that your record is clean. “Again your answer will depend upon the elements of character which you carry with you from this home. Reputation is a trans- itory thing. What makes up your answer will depend whether your character stands for honesty and truth. Your character will determine your answer. “Your answer will depend upon your relation to the social, political and moral questions which face the people of this state. When moral questions are faced, where will you stand? Lives are not changed in a day. You will live today as you lived yesterday; and you will live tomorrow as you are living today. Your mind stands ready to dominate your will and your life. Finally, your answer will depend upon the spiritual influence which you bear among your fellow citizens. The greatest force in the world is not money. It is not the power which runs great engines. It is not found in armed men. The greatest force is found in spiritual character. It is the influence which characterizes every man who is worth while. “What makes you a real man or woman is not how much you know but whether you possess a heart. How shameful it is for man to live on the animal plane. How much better it is for mind to dom- inate his body. But that mind is best when it has spiritual force. “My parting word to you is, let your mind control your body, but let that spirit of God have sway over your mind. It is that spirit of which the Master said, “If I go not away, that Spirit will not come again.: The diplomas were then awarded to the twelve graduates. The diplomas were signed by the Gov- ernor of the State, and H. H. Harington, president of the Board of Control. In addition the signature of Superintendent McDonald and Principal Phelps appeared upon them. The following received diplomas: Freddie Blackshear, Treacy Stanford, Emma Jackson, Pearl McDaniel, Ruth Thomas, Lily Haley, Will T. Hurtt, Claude Mader, Noble Oakley, Edyth Ginther, Velma Oberlin, Frances Burke. The Corsicana Daily Sun - Saturday, June 5, 1926 Submitted by Diane Richards