"...Graduate John Bert Fields delivered the first
oration of the evening. His subject was "Conscientious
citizenship." Fields spoke n a clear and distinctive
voice..... Fields oration was one of the finest of the
evening and he sat down amidst a storm of applause."
"...Guy G. Hastings arose and delivered his oration on
"What of the nation?" Hastings is a tall young man and has
the voice, poise and gesture of the genuine orator.
His ideas were well formed and clearly spoken. When
he sat down the applause must have been gratifying to him.
The points scored were good ones and in line with
patriotism and common sense."
"...Nellie Ethel Long, the only female member of the
class of '97, was the last of the graduates to speak.
She delivered the valedictory, taking for her subject,
"Views from different standpoints." Miss Long held
the manuscript of her address before her; but she scarcely
needed to refer to it. She view the battle of life
from various standpoints, making numerous happy points.
She could be plainly heard and understood in any part of
the hall, speaking with becoming modesty, yet without the
least indication of embarrassment. The encore which
followed her closing sentence was liberal and prolonged.
When Miss Long took her seat Rev. Roberts, on behalf of
her parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Long, presented here with
a handsome bible. Miss Long was elegantly dressed in
a sky blue lace and tastefully decorated with roses."
Class Roster excerpted the
"A Class of Three : Leaves LaRue's Splendid High School
Friday Evening : Their Annual Commencement" newspaper article about the
graduation, Marion Daily Star, Marion, OH May 22, 1897.
View newspaper article
