Page 75 - 1926 Hartridge

I%
,\
Commencement, 1925
Commencement took place last year on the hottest day one can im­ agine. June fourth the very attractive class of Nineteen Twenty-five marched slowly up and took their places on the stage, followed by the
Faculty and the speakers, d'he Senior flowers were heaped up at the foot of the stage and completed a truly lo\'ely sight.
Mr. Moment introduced the speaker of the day after his very heau- riful prayer. A witty and solid address was gi\’en by Dr. John Krskine, whose recent hook, “d'he Private Life of Helen of d'roy,” we are at present enjoying. Miss Hartridge then ga\'e out the diplomas and made
this her farewell speech to the tieparting Seniors:
“ Members of llie Class of 192^:
Tmay seem to speak today chiefly to those who have gratluated from
the College J^reparatory Course, but I know that the others are deeply interested in the college situation, and that the question, in one way or
another, concerns us all.
Kven though this is a happy morning, since you have completed satis­
factorily the second step in your education, you may feel that you have a sorry state of affairs to contemplate. There was a time—not so very long ago either— when a girl who had to her credit in June College Board ratings of 60 or thereabouts was reasonably sure of a warm reception from the college of her choice. 'I'hat girl went to her examinations with a care-free mind, satisfied that 60 would do, knowing that even June failures were of slight consequence as a tutor was always available and a chance
in September was hers. Benign Committees on Admission held out wel­ coming hands; enthusiastic teachers spurred on the reluctant.
Now all is changed. One failure will probably discpialify. In your minds are figures that read, 300 places for 1,200 candidates. In your imaginations Committees on Admission are eagerly scanning reports for excuses, shallow or otherwise, to reject you. No chance in September for the laggard in June! Hectic summers for distraught families! No
peace, except in ifurope, for Head Mistresses, fleeing, you foresee, from anguished supplications for rescue.
:
Page /I