Transcription - Evelyn Hubbell Graduation Speech
The high school graduation exercises last night were
appropriately opened with the salute to the flag. The class of 1923 received
its diplomas on the evening of flag day. It was fitting that the salute begin
the exercises as the pupils pledged allegiance to their flag a deep thrill of
patriotism and devotion to the emblem of this country swept the audience.
***
Honor winners.
Honor winners for 1923 were Leslie Wheeler Coburn, valedictorian.
. .There were six speakers from the members of the class, four of whom were
honor pupils. The other two were Norman Feifer, president of the graduating
class and Evelyn Hubbell, who elected by the class to have a part in the program.
Every seat in the Sterling Theater was taken when the
graduation exercises began. The limited seating capacity of the theater, combined
with the number of graduates made it necessary to limit the number of tickets
to each member of the class to eight.
In addition to the recipients of tickets from members
of the class others who were present were city officials and a few of those
who have manifested an interest in school affairs. Two years ago it became necessary
to eliminate the practice of giving tickets to all the members of former boards
of education living in this city.
The usual arrangement of seating of individuals was
followed out again last night, the pupils occupying the entire stage, with members
of the graduating class in front with the boys on one side and the girls on
the other. The first number was "Carmena," by Wilson, by the high
school chorus. It proved to be a happy choice and it was liberally applauded.
Hildegard E. Willmann.
Hildegard E. Willmann, the salutatorian said, "It
is with heartfelt pleasure that we welcome you this evening to our graduation
exercises, and it is indeed gratifying to see so many friends and relatives
present. We take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have always
shown the Derby high school and the welfare of the class of 1923."
The subject of Miss Willmanns essay was "Physical Education"
[Speech not transcribed.]
Fred Cuneo.
Fred Cuneo was the second speaker. John Wanamaker, the
merchant, was the subject of his essay. [Speech not transcribed.]
Matthew F. Costigan.
The high school chorus rendered an ambitious and interesting
number, "The saga of Eric the Red," by Paul Bliss, and was loudly
applauded. Matthew F. Costigan was the next speaker and had as is subject, "America
and the World Court." [Speech not transcribed.]
Evelyn Hubbell.
"Music" was the subject of the essay by Evelyn Hubbell.
Music is as ancient as the wind. There was never a time
when it could not be heard. Through untold ages it has appealed to the emotions
of the people, expressing their moods as no other art can do.
Imitation of nature was probably the beginning of emotional
music. Perhaps the Greeks attached more importance to music than any other primitive
nation of the world. They believed music was the most educative and uplifting
force.
Music was held in high esteem by other nations as well
as by the Greeks. Wandering minstrels and jongleurs of the middle ages by their
singing helped preserve the history and literature by their people.
The ultimate questions is said the speaker: "What
kind of music best expresses the American temperament, and how fully does it
give utterance to the artistic nature of the American people?"
It seems that today, the majority prefers ragtime and
musical comedies to folk songs or to the simpler classics. It is generally thought
that jazz is the perfect expression of the American city, with its restless
bustle and motion, and its underlying rhythmic progress toward a vague somewhere,
and it is today the "one true American music."
Others take the opposite viewpoint and say that jazz
is only a temporary mania that is sweeping the country, as part of the usual
aftermath of war.
Let us recognize music in every possible way. Every group community and section
should unite in making or listening to the best music. It is a mission as noble
as any ever given to man , and may the spirit of music as well as the spirit
of democracy live forever in the hearts of the American people.
Norman Feifer.
Norman Feifer, president of the class of 1923, had "Forest
Conservation," as the subject of his essay. [Speech not transcribed.]
Leslie Coburn.
Coleridge Taylors "Viking King" was
rendered enthusiastically and with power by the high school chorus and then
came the last essay of the evening by Leslie Coburn, the class valedictorian.
His subject was "The Other Half" [Speech not transcribed.]
Supt. John F. Pickett.
Supt. of schools, John F. Pickett spoke briefly before
he presented the diplomas to the graduating class and awarded the prizes.
D.H.S., 23.
The graduates who received diplomas were [including]: Evelyn Marie Hubbell.
Prize Awards.
Supt. Pickett awarded the prizes, as follows [including]:
"The Nettleton Prize"-Mr.
and Mrs. C.H. Nettleton give a sum of money each year to be distributed to those
members of the graduating class who have been perfect in attendance during the
entire four years of the high school course. Awarded to Evelyn Hubbell. Two
members had only one mark during the four years.
Now Theyre Alumni.
The exercise closed with "The Star Spangled Banner"
and the curtain was dropped. Then came the rush for the street, where the newest
alumni of Derby high school were greeted by their parents, their brothers and
sisters and their friends. Kisses were exchanged, and girls in white gowns crushed
fresh blossoms within their embrace as their devoted parents pressed them to
their hearts. The first few minutes outside the stage door of the Sterling Theater
is the most impressive of any during the evening.
Then it is with overwhelming happiness in their hearts,
the memories of the years from infancy to that crowning moment passing swiftly
review, and with tears of joy falling unheeded give vent to their emotions.