West Branch Times, West Branch, Iowa, Thursday, May 25, 1933 pg 1
Transcribed by Lynn McCleary, September 25, 2016

Commencement Exercises Held Friday Evening
1933 Class of Twenty-Eight Graduates Receive Diplomas

The fifty-sixth annual commencement exercises of the West Branch High School were held in the auditorium Friday evening, May 19, at which time twenty-eight boys and girls were awarded the diplomas which certified their completion of the required course of study.

Mrs. Harriett Zentner played the prelude to which the graduates marched down the aisle and on to the places of honor on the stage. Supt. F. J. Snider introduced the Class of 1933 after which Invocation was pronounced by the Rev. E. L. Erlander of the Lutheran church, followed by the Ladies quartet, the Mesdames W. B. Gerlits, E. I. Pownall, P.C. Clarke and F. L. Pearson, who sang “Night”, and “May Magic.”

Henry G. Walker of Iowa City gave the commencement address, his subject being “Liberty Under the Law.” His speech was a friendly, wholesome talk of value to his young listeners. He stressed the fact that the graduates owed their present success to parents and teachers as well as to their own efforts. The future holds limitless possibilities, and he reminded the boys and girls that they will build a future not only for themselves but for the countless children of tomorrow to whom they owe a similar responsibility to that which their parents have discharged for them. In short, he congratulated them up the privilege of being what someone has happily called “their parent’s second chance.” He touched upon the priceless advantage of living under a government such as ours. Admonishing his hearers that their many and invaluable liberties were theirs to be enjoyed as “Liberty Under Law.”

Principal F. D. Weaver with a few impressive remarks presented the diplomas to the class.

Miss Irene Hemingway of the Class of 1923 presented the honor trophy, the annual gift from her class, to Jacob Wentz, who had the highest scholastic average during the four years in high school. She read the names of the nine whose average ranked above ninety, and excellent record for the Class of 1933.

Class Roll

Sherman C. Anderson	Gladys Fae Christee	Richard Francis Millen *	Roy Swails
Joe Richmond Bowman	Phyllis Amber Fairall *	James Francis Milder	William Iran Terhune
Cleo Clifford Byers *	Alice Elizabeth Gill	Marian Ella Molback	Marguerite E. Williams
Cecil I. Bowie *	Joseph Orvillle Hora	Kenneth G. Pedersen	Harry Milton West
Dagny Selma Christensen *	Ethel Irene Hill	Hazel Mae Stuart	John Frederick Wentz *
Emily Patience Corbin *	William Thomas Hills	Isabelle Ruth Stratton	Jacob George Wentz *
Margret Lucia Clarke *	Truman L. Johnson	Florence Belle Secrest	Ralph John Zousel

* Indicates the ones averaging above 90 percent for the four years.

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Teachers Have Gone To Respective Homes

School closed with the commencement exercises Friday evening. The teachers left at once for their respective homes, for the summer vacation.

Miss Mira Shafer went to her home at Washington and Miss Frances Beane left Saturday for her home near Le Grande. Miss Mary Letts went to her home in Ainsworth, and Miss Ruth Simmons parents came from Woodhull, Ill., for her.

Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Green came from Anamosa, taking their daughter Evelyn back with them for the summer. Miss Nina Quinby’s mother, Mrs. A. Quinby of Nichols, drove up for her, and Mrs. Frank Novotney of Iowa City drove out for Miss Margaret Petersen who will spend a short time in the university town before returning to her home at Britt.

Mr. Weaver is spending a few days at MacGregor before going home to Gilman, and Miss Bernice Connelly is remaining here for a time. West Branch will keep some of the teachers for the greater part of the summer and a few have not completed their vacation plans.

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Boys Enjoy Tour

F. D. Weaver, the popular principal of the school, took a party of boys in his car and drove to MacGregor for a few days outing, leaving here Saturday. The boys planned to camp and enjoy the vacation in true outdoor style. The group included Mr. Weaver, Cleo Byers, Robert Lee Jensen, Kenneth Jensen, Wayne White and Robert Thomasen.

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