Frances E. Durell
Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, May 22, l924
'Largest Class Ever Graduated from Leon High School.'
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The fifty-fourth annual commencement of the Leon High School was held at the Presbyterian Church last Thursday evening, when a magnificent class of forty-five Seniors received their diplomas, it being the largest class which has ever graduated from the Leon Schools. The class officers were MABEL CHEW, President, LUCY EVANS, Secretary, and GEORGE STUTEVILLE, Treasurer. The class adopted as their motto "Tonight we launch; where shall we anchor?" and for their class flower the American Beauty rose.
The members of the class, clad in cap and gown, marched into the church while a march was played by MARION MCINTOSH, one of the graduates, and the big class filled the platform of the church. The invocation was by Rev. W.B. Paterson, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, the salutatory being given by MISS HAZEL BETTIS. A song by the Class and then Prof. H.E. Blackmar, Superintendent of the Ottumwa Public Schools, gave the address to the class. Prof. Blackmar is a fine speaker, and he made a most excellent address, filled with choice thoughts and good advice to the members of the class, which was greatly enjoyed both by the class and the big audience.
A quartet composed of FRANCES WILLIAMS, RUTH POTTORFF, LESLIE ANDREW and MARION MCINTOSH then presented the three beautiful medals given by the Leon K. of P. Lodge to the students, showing the greatest proficiency in history and civics, the first prize going to his son, MARION MCINTOSH, second to MISS IRENE HARRIS and third to LELAND DAVIS. The K. of P. Lodge has offered these medals each year for several years and there has been competition to win them. President L.P. VAN WERDEN, on behalf of the Leon School Board, presented the members of the class with their diplomas, in a few well-chosen remarks, and the exercises closed with the benediction by Rev. J.E. Habliston, Pastor of the M.E. Church.
The following is a list of the graduates of the class of '24:
MARGARET ADAIR
LESLIE ANDREW
EVA BAKER
IVA BAKER
RUTH BARRETT
LEON BENEFIEL
HAZEL BETTIS
ANSON L. CARR
MABEL CHEW
CLINTON COWLES
JULIA DAUGHTON
LELAND DAVIS
RAYMOND V. DAWSON
FRANCES E. DURELL
LUCY E. EVANS
HOMER L. FLETCHER
INEZ F. GILCHRIST
STACIA GILCHRIST
PEARLE E. GITTINGER
MERNA E. GRAHAM
MARGARET J. GRIFFIN
HOWARD F. HARDEN
ONIA A. HARDEN
JAMES A. HARRIS
L. IRENE HARRIS
LELA G. HORTON
L. BRAINERD HORNER
AMZY A. HULL
RUTH P. JOHNSON
VERA V. LITTLE
HAZEL L. MARTIN
F. MARION MCINTOSH
CLIFFORD F. PICKERING
H. RUTH POTTORFF
E. MAREA SMITH
GERALDINE A. SMITH
LEWIS E. STEWART
GEO. R. STUTEVILLE
EDNA RUTH TREMBLY
AUGUSTA W. TULLIS
BERTHA M. WALLACE
E. HORTENSE WARNER
MYRNA I. WEST
FRANCES W. WILLIAMS
MERCEDES ZIMMERMAN.
Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
September 5, 2002