TWENTY-THREE GET DIPLOMAS AS STATE HOME GRADUATES FORMER GOVERNOR NEFF DELIVERED CLASS ADDRESS TUESDAY EVENING Twenty-three members of the 1929 graduating class of the State Home high school received their diplomas at the annual commencement exercises Tuesday evening after hearing Hon. Pat M. Neff, former governor, deliver the commencement address in the State Home auditorium. To the dignified strains of the processional played by Mrs. Forkel, the members of the graduating class accompanied by escorts from other classes marched down two long aisles to their positions on the stage. A mixed chorus under the direction of Miss Hallie K. Sadler then presented , "Springtime" by Straus. Declaring that full hearts and numbed lips prevented an adequate expression of welcome to the friends and visitors on the momentous occasion, Miss Opal Thornton took occasion in the salutatory to touch upon the importance of the evening to the members of the class, and attempted to show that words were entirely inadequate for the occasion. The graduates then sang "Farewell" by Brahe under the direction of Miss Sadler. Thanks Extended Alton Mullins, first honor graduate, extended the thanks of the friends class to the friends, teachers, and service, asserted that never in their entire career had their associations become as vivid as on the final day of their school year. Turning to his class mates, he inquired of them how they would interpret the ideals and ambitions of the institution that had prepared them for life. He asserted that what the graduates were would speak louder than any words they might say, and that the education they had received would be the basis of their success in life. In presenting the speaker of the evening, Superintendent J. Stanford Halley declared that the man had been selected because he represented the highest type of manhood, and not because he might have achieved considerable fame as an attorney and a statesman. He briefly sketched the career of the ex-governor through his early days and on to later life as district attorney, representative, governor and recipient of national honors. Former Governor Speaks In his introduction, Ex-governor Pat M. Neff of Waco told the graduates that on commencement day the effervescent dreams of youth came nearest to realizations, and on their graduation night the seniors were nearest to their "Pot of Gold," for they were then happy with their achievements and filled hopes of future successes. Every thinking boy and girl he declared wanted to be a success, asserted that success was the universal aim of all persons from the morning of youth to the evening of age. Each member of the graduating class he said would set goal for their lives and these would vary widely, and urged them to guard against making money for their sole goal. He announced his principal sub- ect as "Moneyless Millionaires," and immediately asked if such a person were possible or mythical He asserted that Babe Ruth might bring a million dollars on the open market as a baseball player, and that Gene Tunney was worth that figure as a slugger in the ring. The speaker said that he did not depreciate the value of making money, for money as a medium of exchange is a laudable ambition and everyone should make enough money to supply the comforts and pleasures of life. Money is a blessing so long as man is master of it, but becomes a curse when it becomes master of the man. Rich Without Money. He asserted that it was possible to be rich without money if one recognizes the value of service, and did not use money as the only measuring rod. Man is a mental being he declared and the mind cannot be fed on material things. Wealth he asserted cannot be estimated entirely in dollars and cents, for some of the finest tributes cannot be bought; bonds do not buy brains, nor is power useful unless accompanied by a sense of honor and responsibility. A person whose only value is his money is a pauper, Governor Neff declared, and man's ambition should not be grabbing and getting but giving and serving. There are many in the world who are financial successes who would give all their wealth if they could turn backward to the high school commencement and live their lives over again, he declared and a person who trains his mind and soul is as rich as one whose only joy is clipping coupons. The richest person in the world is the one who has the most friends and renders the highest service, the speaker declared in conclusion and a great life is greater than life’s achievements. . Diplomas Presented J. S. Callicutt, president of the State Home school board, was then presented to present the diplomas. He briefly touched upon some of the high lights of the early history of the home and called attention to the recent growth of the institution. He told the members of the graduating class that each of them must find an allocation in life, if they would find happiness and success. He then presented diplomas to the twenty-three members of the class, adding a personal touch with a brief bit of advice or commendation to each gradu- ate. Superintendent Halley then pre- sented the “Roger Q. Mills” medal to Walter Baker, for winning the annual debate; and the "Carrie R. Mills" medal to Miss Jimmie Knight for the best record in domestic science. He also presented a handsome wrist watch to Miss Knight with the compliments of Sam Daiches, Corsicana jeweler and optometrist. Rev. J. Howard Williams, pastor of the First Baptist church, pronounced the benediction. Those receiving diplomas were: Juanita Adams, Walter Baker, Kathleen Bock, Alice Cannon, Elwyn Cannon, Claude Eads, Robert Hale, Mary Hurtt, Jewel Jones, Jimmie Knight, Rose Knight, Everett E. Lear, Mada Love, Alton Mullins, Alice Jo Nettles, Laverne Ragsdale, Myrtle Reed, Virginia Richards, La Wanda Richardson, Nell Ringo, Lula Sewell, Opal Thornton, and Rebecca Williams.   The Corsicana Daily Sun - Wednesday, June 26, 1929 Submitted by Diane Richards