Drawing of
The First graduating class, from the newly constructed Granite County School, occurred on May 27, 1898 at the McDonald Opera House. Headlined in the June 3rd Philipsburg Mail were the following remarks: “ Success in every particular-Seven young ladies and men receive diplomas-the first in the history of the school. The graduation exercises at the Opera House last Friday evening were highly entertaining and showed that a great deal of hard work had been gone through by the graduates. Before the hour for the exercises to begin the house was completely filled, and in fact a crowd had congregated on the sidewalk before the doors to the building were thrown open to the public.
Promptly at 8:15 o’clock Prof. Cook appeared on the platform and announced that the program would begin and as the orchestra had not yet arrived the opening piece was a quartette composed of Miss Lucy Paradise, Miss Mary A. Harrison, Fred Geiger and Walter W. Kroger who sang “Who Knows What the Bells Say?” in a manner that was highly appreciated by the vast throng present.
An essay entitled “Look Both Ways” by Frederick W. Kroger was the next on the program and the way he handled it showed that he had taken a keen interest in the subject and had weighed carefully all details relating to it.
“The Womanly Woman” by Miss Mary A. McKenzie showed that young lady’s ability in dealing with a subject so familiar to us all.
Mrs. R.L. Kelley sang a solo, “Among the Roses”, which was very acceptably received.
“Influence Left behind”, an essay by Miss Lola B. Rust, left the impression on all of deep study and careful preparation.
William H. Loughrin’s essay on “William J. Bryan” followed, and the impression given its delivery was appreciated by all.
“Dangers and Dangerous Classes”, by Miss Clara D. McDonel, was a treat inasmuch as so much truth and undeniable fact was embodied in it.
“Gunpowder as a Civilizer”, by Vincent DeP. Doody, came next on the program and the way the audience received it made it apparent that they were also of his opinion. The recollections recalled to mind of the causes which brought on the present American-Spanish war were made manifest in the essay.
Tom Morton sang the solo “The banks of the Wabash”, in his usual excellent style.
“The Tyrant Flower Shall Cast the Freedom Seed”, by Miss Pearlette M. Scott, made it apparent that the young essayist possessed the faculty of being able to reason well and to commit it to paper in and entertaining manner.
Jonas Cook, principal of the school then delivered the address of the evening in a manner that showed his entire familiarity with the question. His remarks were in the point and were delivered in a common-sense manner. That the address was appreciated was made plain by the applause from the audience.
Miss Hilda Noe followed with an ably rendered piano solo, entitled “The Dying Poet.”
Dr W. I. Power. president of the school board, in awarding the diplomas to the several successful students did so in a manner highly pleasing to all….(and the musical part of the program continued).
This being the first class to graduate and to be awarded diplomas the school board has been anxious that the commencement exercises should prove as great a success as possible…The board as at present constituted is as follows: Dr. W.I. Power, Chairman; Frances M. Durfee; George Metcalf; Josiah Shull; Walter W. Kroger; Allan Dearborn and G.B. Ballard.”
Not present at the graduation ceremony was class member William B. Calhoun who had enlisted and been shipped out to serve in the Spanish-American War shortly before the graduation, according to the Granite Graduate Year Book
Besides Jonas Cook serving as Principal, he was also faculty with Miss Anna H. Price.
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