Kodiak Mirror

Large Crowd Wednesday Witnesses
Impressive Graduating Exercises

Thirty-three graduating Seniors received their diplomas at the impressive Commencement exercises held in the high school auditorium Wednesday. Several of the graduates received scholarships. The exercises were well attended.

Those receiving scholarships included Rena Corgatelli, who was the recipient of a $100 award; A $200 Emblem Club award went to Joyce Torgramson; The $400 Henderson award given by the University of Alaska went to Gerald Clark; A room Scholarship award from the Sheldon Jackson College went to Caroline Reft; two Rotary Club Scholarships were presented to Charles Johnson and Jim Beaty. Charles Johnson also received a room scholarship from Washington State College as did Gerald Clark from the University of Alaska. Superintendent of Schools, Ivor Schott made the presentations.

Mike Greeley, in the address of the evening, spoke on the subject "What Part Does Education Play in Life." The young student asked the question, "Why is education so vastly important to this nation of ours?" He compared education offered in the European nations and particularly in Russia. In the latter country, the youth are well educated, but are also steeped in the Communists brand of propaganda, he stated. He expressed the belief that education in America would prove the most worthwhile in the long run. "We should not lose sight of the purpose of education," he stated. "Science has its place, and those who desire, should be encouraged to pursue it, but we should not lose sight of the importance of the whole man and his development." Therein, he thought, the American system would prove the best.

Charles Johnson, class president, also spoke on the meaning of education in the lives of the graduating seniors. "This is the last time we will be here as students" he said, "Even though many of us will be leaving Kodiak, it is not the last you will be hearing from us. What we have learned here will be carried by us into our future as we take our place in the adult world."

Mrs. Virginia Lee Carr gave the valedictory address. The Naval Station Band, under the direction of Allen S. Bennett rendered several selections, including Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance, as the class marched in to take their places, and closing with the recessional, as the class marched from the stage.

During the ceremonies, the High School principal, James Gray, introduced the class and Dr. A. Holmes Johnson, School Board President, presented the diplomas.

Several selections were rendered by the mixed chorus under the direction of Robert Boko. Chaplain H.W. Buckingham opened with the invocation and the benediction, pronounced by Rev. Raymond Talbott, concluded the exercises.