More Religion Needed, Graduates Here Told
Camden High Presents Diplomas to Class of 261
1500 Relatives View Exercises
Many Prizes Awarded; Judge Wells Makes Address
The need of more religious education was stressed by Judge Harold B. Wells, of Bordentown, in addressing 264 graduates of Camden High School and more than 1500 relatives and friends who attended commencement exercises yesterday.
Awards of the main scholarships and prizes were announced as follows:
Alumni Scholarships—Tuition in University of Pennsylvania, awarded to C. Albertus Hewitt, president of Senior class; $300 toward tuition in any college chosen, awarded to Esther Hill, first honor student.
W. F. Rose Public Speaking Contest prizes of $15 each—Awarded to Cecelia Cummings and Jack Sosenko, both of January Class.
“We need more religion and more devotion,” Judge Wells said, “not more money or more education. Don’t boast that you don’t believe in God. The whole world and all the progress it has made is based on a belief in God.
“Don’t sneer at religion until you know something about it—and then you won’t sneer. Live for today. Don’t worry about yesterday and don’t think of tomorrow. Don’t be a grouch—the divorce courts today are filled with grouches.”
Thomas W. Trembath, vice principal of the high school, brought a momentary hush on the large audience when he announced that Miss Clara S. Burrough, high school principal who is retiring, was not well enough to attend this, her last commencement.
Trembath announced at the same time that students were planning to present Miss Burrough with a chair and other gifts. The movement, he said, began among students a week ago and had swept through the school surprisingly swift.
All members of the board of education were present. In the absence of Miss Burrough, Samuel E. Fulton, president of the board, presented diplomas. Trembath presented members of the class for graduation honors.
The invocation opening the exercises was offered by the Rev. W.W. Ridgeway, rector of St. Wilfred’s Episcopal Church, Camden.
Among the officials present were Albert M. Bean, county superintendent of schools; Dr. Leon N. Neulen, city superintendent; Charles S. Albertson, former county superintendent; Dr. William H. Pratt, chief medical inspector; Albert Austermuhl, secretary of the education board, and Lewis Liberman, assistant city solicitor.
The valedictory and salutatory addresses were dispensed with at the high school last year and supplanted with faculty choices of speakers to represent the boys and girls of the class. Robert Knox Bishop, chosen to represent the boys, delivered an essay entitled “Capital Punishment and Modern Civilization.” Representing the girls, Clara E. Marie Krause delivered an essay on “Music and Moods.” Other honor students are Esther E. Hill, Caroline Emhof and Evelyn Harriet Ratcliffe.
The musical part of the program follows: “Die Schone Galathea,” by Von Suppe; Farandole from “L’Arlesienne,” by Bizet; Washington Post March by Sousa; Triumphal selections from “Blossomtime,” by Romberg—all by the High School orchestra. There will be one chorus, “Blue Danube Waltz,” by Strauss.
As a special tribute to her work for Camden High, Miss Lucy Dean Wilson, in charge of public speaking and dramatics, and formerly musical director, was invited by Fulton to conduct the chorus in its final number. Miss Wilson took the baton from Robert B. Haley, musical director, and directed the singers. Miss Wilson is retiring this year.
The commencement was the thirty-fourth and last annual commencement at the High School. In September it will become the Camden Academic High School under a reorganization plan that will make Woodrow Wilson Junior High School the Camden Commercial High School.
Prizes were awarded as follows:
Philomathean Society Prize, $10, Ruth Brennan, student in fourth year class doing most meritorious work in English composition.
Class of 1916 Prize in Drawing, $5, Ida Marland.
Solomon J. and Rosa Goldstein Prizes, $5 each, given by Dr. Hyman I. Goldstein, to Howard Ruffie and Clara Krause, students attaining highest standing in science covering not less than two years of work.
B’nai Brith Prizes, one of $15, to Elmer Pont, and $10, to Clara Krause, for high standing in mathematics.
Class of 1923 prizes, two of $10 each, to Richard Call and Esther Hill; students showing greatest ability in athletics.
Class of 1924 prizes, four of $5 each, to Rose DiMuro, Esther Hill, George M. Minter and Samuel Blood, good students of January and June class with highest standing in commercial subjects.
Woman’s Club prize in American History, $10, to Charles Bray, highest standing in American History.
Department of Literature of Camden Woman’s Club prizes of $10, to Alfred Pikus and Constance Di Giuseppe, for standing in English in junior year.
Woman’s Club prize in domestic science, $10, to Evelyn Cowgill, to sophomore with highest standing in domestic science.
Mary McClelland Brown prize, $10, established by classes of 1931, to Cecelia Cummings, highest average in French through three year course.
The Phi Beta Kappa Association of Philadelphia award, a book, “The Epic of America,” autographed by the author, James Truslow Adams, to Clara Krause, highest average in academic course on completing four years of Latin.
Beethoven Club, prize for Musical Activity (new) awarded to Leonard Zondler.