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HISTORY IS COOL: 110 years ago

June 26, 1914

LPHS graduation

The 13th annual commencement of the Lake Placid High School was held Tuesday evening at the Town Hall, and a large representation of the people of the village was in attendance.

The stage was a scene of much beauty. The graduates, members of the board of education, teachers and speakers were seated behind a striking floral display consisting of ferns, palms and greens. The letters L.P.H.S. made of greens were hung from the front in the center and added to the attractiveness of the scene.

On the stage behind the graduates and John M. Hopkins were seated the members of the Board of Education, who were T. A. Leahy, F. C. Day, B. R. Buil, F. B. Guild and H. L. Waver. There were also 14 teachers and the school superintendent, W. L. West.

Sadie Smith gave the salutatory address, which was in part as follows:

“Four years ago as a class of 23 members, we entered the high school. Tonight we assemble for the last time, a class of eight. We have reached a port in our lives where we set sail for different harbors on the sea of life. During the past four years, we have met with successes and failures, but we have had the unfailing interest of both parents and teachers to sustain us.”

Hazel Fuller, valedictorian, chose her address from the class motto, “Not the end but on the way.” Part of her oration was as follows:

“Throughout life’s journey, marked by milestones, are epoch-making events which indicate at least and often determine the road beyond, full of vast meaning to those who observe and momentous always whether we harken to the spirit of the moment or merely allow time to unfold its measuring influence.

“Only in the broader sense may we understand the purpose and intent of school education, fathered by the state, fashioned by our zealous board of education and elucidated by our unselfish, contentious teachers.

“So then have we arrived. Long have we looked forward to our day of graduation, but always did it seem a distant mountain, vague and obscure as if ’twere veiled in the morning mist.

“To you, classmates, the final words of farewell must now be addressed. We are gathered together as a class for the last time. We are linked by ties of joy, labors, failures and successes shared.”

T. A. Leahy, president of the Board of Education, made an earnest plea for a new high school building or an addition to the present building. Giving some of the history of the present building, he said that in 1901, when the school work was taken up here, there were three teachers. In 1902, an addition was made to the building, and seven teachers were engaged and the total enrollment was 335.

“Today,” he said, “there are 91 teachers engaged and an enrollment of 600 pupils, but it is still the same building.”

Twice a proposition was introduced to erect a new high school or to make a needed addition, but taxpayers voted them down each time.

Those to receive diplomas were Frances Lamb (treasurer), Hazel Fuller (secretary), Mae Lengefeld (vice president), Marguerite Martin, Martha Goldberg, Marion Umber, Sadie Smith and John Walton (president).

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