NOTE: it is hard to imagine today but graduating from grammar school aka 6th grade was a big deal. Students 110 years ago were only expected to go to school till 6th grade!! Diplomas were handed out and read about the guest speakers and also the orchestra!!
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CHESTER TIMES
June 17, 1914
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT
Entertaining Exercises Conducted in the St. Rose of Lima Church Hall
The spacious auditorium of the
St. Rose of Lima Hall was well filled last evening when the parents, friends
and instructors of the graduating class of the Ridley Township Grammar Schools
assembled to witness the first annual commencement. From the opening number on the program until
the orchestra had played its final strains, the audience was held in rapt
attention by the excellent entertainment.
Dr. J. Linwood Elenberg, Superintendent of the Chester Public Schools,
was the principal speaker of the evening and delivered an able and well-chosen
address to the young members of the class of 1914 of the Leiperville and Folsom
Grammar Schools.
The auditorium was beautifully
decorated for the occasion with flowers and American colors. The class insignia, gold and blue, was in
thorough keeping with the scene. The
stage was impressively set with palms and potted plants and the nine pupils who
received their diplomas as a token of faithful study in their respective
schools left an impression of earnest youth on the minds of the gathering.
The pupils who received diplomas
from County Superintendent A. G. C. Smith were:
Clara Matilda Biller, Herbert Eugene Gaskill, John Stuart Graeber, Lenore
Madelyn Horn, Mary Emily McLaughlin, Russell Percy Reese, Dehlia Rosanna Schitsey,
Mollie Nelle Trosino, and Ella Marion Woof.
Following the opening selection
by the orchestra Rev Walter R. Alexander of Princeton University pronounced the
invocation. Rev. Thomas F. Ryan of the
St. Rose of Lima Church in a brief but earnest address of welcome gave the
audience a hearty greeting and in closing gave the graduates some excellent
advice. “O Festal Days” a chorus sung by
the class was much applauded by the appreciative audience.
John Stuart Graeber of the
Folsom Grammar School told what should be put into life and not that which
should be gotten out of it in a well delivered and well composed oration
entitled, “By Wanted,” “Over and over again” was the plain title of an earnest appeal
given by Clara Matilda Biller to the host of listeners, that they struggle with
their tasks not once but over and over again.
She preceded a pleasing orchestral selection.
The feature of the entertainment
was duet of Russell Percy Reese and Dehlia Rosanna Schitsey, accompanied by the
class chorus. The number called “The
Barefoot Boy” was encored to the echo.
The boy graduate, smaller than any of his class was a marvel of
confidence and his smile and whistle won the admiration of the audience. Miss Schitsey sung in fine voice for a girl
of her years and many comments were heard of her vocal efforts.
Following the benediction by Rev.
Thomas F. Ryan, the orchestra closed the interesting entertainment with a short
selection. At the close of the exercises
the parents spoke in a favorable manner OF THE WORK OF Miss Lulu McCartney who
this year was made supervisor of the schools of Ridley Township and who raised
the grade of the institutions, making this the first class to graduate for
entrance into the county high schools.
My “History, Mystery” column in the Delco times has been a
great help. People have been identifying pictures in my collection, by cross
streets, blocks etc. I have close to 2000 pictures of Delco prior to 1950. I
know where they are but I do not know the block etc. I want to make all my
pictures properly identified by block, cross streets so years from now people
will know and understand exactly where the picture is. I need help in every
township and boro, some need lots of work, others not so much. I’m looking for
retired, police and postmen/women or others, who know their towns well. It will
be “boring” but it really needs to be done. If you want to help me, email me
at, keith106@rcn.com hopoing to hear from
lots of people to get this job done right.
Please read I need HELP!!!!
ALSO my website attracts over 600 visitors a month, but less
than 10 of those visitors made a donation thru PayPal. My website costs $400.00
dollars to operate each year and loses money every year. Less than 10 people
made donatioins last year. No one gets into local history to make money but it
would be nice to break even once in awhile.
I have lots more to add to my website, maps etc. but that will cost more in
server fees. Please make a PayPal
donation please
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