Congratulations to the Class of --- 1924

Chariton High School seniors received their diplomas Sunday afternoon and none, most likely, thought for even a second about the fact that the Class of 2018 was the 94th to graduate from the current high school building, completed during 1923 and still in use.

Class sizes were similar --- the Class of 1924 was made up of 83 students; the class of 2018, of 81.

The location of commencement exercises has shifted slightly over the years, however. Today, they're held in the gymnasium, a later addition to the building. Back in 1923, they were held in the auditorium, a space in the 1923 building that for the most part vanished as it was divided and allocated to other uses, then replaced by Johnson Auditorium.

Anyhow, here's a report on graduation 1924 --- the first in a venerable building that's held up well --- from The Herald-Patriot of May 29. 

Eighty-three Graduate in Class of '24

Commencement Exercises Held at High School Auditorium Last Friday

Krenmyre the speaker

Agency Man Gave Inspirational Address on "The Challenge"; Interesting School Statistics Given, Too

Eighty-three young men and women graduated from the Chariton high school and received their diplomas at the commencement exercises at the high school auditorium last Friday evening, May 23. Of the eighty-three, a large number will doubtless continue studies elsewhere while others will likely enter into the activities of life directly.

Last Friday morning was held the class day exercise at the high school building. This proved to be a splendid program which opened with a violin solo by Miss Dorothy Curtis, followed by a reading by Virgil Coughell. Then came the class song and some orchestra numbers by a musical organization composed entirely of seniors. Leo Grate gave the class prophecy, and Bill Swim read the last will and testament of the class of 1924. Each number on the program was a pleasant one. It was during these exercises that the names of the winners in the track meet who were entitled to "C's" were read. They were: Bill Swim, Virgil Coughell, William Langford, James Santon, Charles Soderstrom, Virgil Johnson, Clinton Moon and James McAloon.

At eight o'clock the same evening the commencement exercises proper were held at the auditorium, which had been prettily decorated for the occasion. Huge baskets of bridal wreath and purple flowers had been placed on the stage and the class colors, lavender and gray, were draped from the ceiling to the sides of the platform. The high school orchestra played a pleasing number, and as the processional was played on the piano the graduates took their places on the stage. The girls glee club then sang "Nightingale and Rose" in a very pleasing manner, following which the invocation was pronounced by Rev. J. A. Riggs, pastor of the Baptist church of Chariton. A charming vocal duet number, "In Springtime," was rendered by the Misses Darlene Calbreath and Pauline Smith. Then followed the address to the class by Rev. J.H. Krenmyre, of Agency, who spoke on the subject of "The Challenge."

He handled the subject in a masterful manner. He spoke of the needs of preparation --- in this scientific age more than ever before in order to make equal the battle. And here began the challenge. Strive for attainments, and as progress was made the stronger it became. No effort should be relaxed because again the voice was heard --- the laggard was admonished. And with it all there must be design. Everything was created to a plan. Character as well as achievement was in the test. Honesty of purpose and franklness in procedure. The world was challening. The youth who was dishonest in his sports would be tricky in business. Success in life did not mean that great accomplishments should result but that the modest attainments of life with due regards to the rights of others. Should abilities and opportunities lead one higher, the challenge should be to get into position --- impossible without the vantage point. And with it all courage and backbone counted.

The address of Rev. Krenmyre was followed by another selection by the Girls' Glee Club, "In the Time of Roses." Prof. F.A. Lunan, principal of the Chariton high school, then gave some interesting class statistics Of the eighty-three members of the graduating class 35 were boys and 48 girls. Of these, 44 were resident students and 39 (16 boys and 23 girls) were non-resident pupils. Twenty-five had taken the nomal training course; eighteen, the college preparatory; 20, the business course; and 20 general. A graduate from any course is eligible to enter college.

The hightest ten percent from the entire class with average standing for the complete course was as follows: Helen Bonnett, 93.52%; Jane Burkholder, 93.34%; Geraldine Roberts, 92.09%; Joseph Kardonsky, 91.83%; Kathryn Blanchard, 91.47%; Geveva Norman, 91.34%; Evelyn McKinley, 90.97%; Judith Koch, 90.62%.

In a brief but well worded address, Superintendent J.R. Cougill grew eloquent in presenting the class. They had labored together for four years and he had had ample opportunity to observe and judge of the quality and was glad to state that they measured up to the standard of good studentship and would go out into the world equipped to grapple with life's problems and take their places in affairs and citizenship.

In an equally eloquent manner, president J.H. Darrah, of the school board, accepted the high trust, and spoke a future hope for these splended young men and women, handing to them their diplomas as one by one they appeared upon the stage in front of the audience and possed in review. they were awed with a tranquil relief from the happy studious years, and those who looked forward saw visions of the splendid class separating into the various places to which they through circumstances were to be assigned.

The seniors united in singing their class song and the benediction by Rev. C.A. Johnson of the First Lutheran church closed the program. The recessional was rendered and the seniors of 1924 filed out and bade farewell to their Chariton high school life.

The class motto was "Honor before Honors." The class flower was the white rose and the class colors were lavender and grey. The following is a list of the graduates:

Clarice Ambelang, Earnest Ansley, Dorothy Badger, Walter Baldridge, Merrill Baxter, Ted Best, Elsie Blake, Kathryn Blanchard, Helen Bonnett, Lela Boothe, Helen Brownlee, Avancila Bryan, Jane Burkholder, Claude Byrum, Opal Callahan, Maude Carpenter, Virgil Coughell, Mary Clark, Marlene Cloe, Nina Connor, Jennie Coons, Bernice Cornford, Evelyn Cougill, Pauline Cowles, Dorothy Curtis, Ruth Danchenbach, Ulin Davis, William Engebretsen, Howard Frogge, Ada Gookin, Leo Grate, Loretta Griffis, Leota Hall, Lucy Heston, Luther Johnson, Joseph Kardonsky, Maude Keller, Jessie Kenney, Pauline Kestler, Judith Koch, Leorne Krutsinger, William Langford, Audire Laurie, Glenn Lewis, Edna Lugar, Don Maloney, Kenneth McCullough, Evelyn McKinley, Nellie McNulty, Cleta Miller, Loleta Mitchell, Clinton Moon, Albert Munday, Elmer Munson, Geneva Norman, John Norman, Nellie Norman, Dorothy Oden, Charlotte Primmer, Ralph Pim, Howard Piper, Steward Powell, Harold Powers, Marie Prevo, John Richard, Milton Risbeck, Geraldine Roberts, Lowell Scales, Lavelle Shelton, Burdette Smith, Edward Spencer, Mayme Spencer, Anne Stack, James Stanton, Louise Storie, Bill Swimm, Lloyd Waynick, Ted Wentz, Lysle Wirene, LaVar Wolfe, Pauline Yengel and Maude Byrum.