Ponchatoula High School 1928 Graduation, Ponchatoula, Tangipahoa Parish, La
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Article         The Enterprise, Ponchatoula, LA, April 13, 1928

33 BOYS AND GIRLS GRADUATE MONDAY

Beautiful Exercises Are Held at High School Auditorium; Attended by Many

        The Graduation exercises of the Ponchatoula high school were held in the 
high school auditorium Monday night, with a class of thirty-three receiving 
diplomas.
        One of the most noticeable features was that this year, there were more 
boys than girls in the class.  Eighteen boys and fifteen girls were on the 
stage.  This is, no doubt, due to athletics, which has a tendency to hold the 
boys in school.
        The processional march was played by Miss Marjorie Hammond.  Rev. 
Father Gonzales offered the Invocation and was followed by Miss Ola Coats with 
the Salutation.  Alex Heitman read the Class Will and Herman Colmer the Class 
Prophecy.
        Miss Alberta Bodker, who was the Valedictorian, was also honor student.  
Miss Bodker was followed by Dr. Martin ten Hoor of Tulane University, who made 
a very interesting address to the class.  Superintendent W. J. Dunn of 
Tangipahoa Parish awarded the diplomas, after which Professor C.C. Pittman 
made the following awards:
        Interstate Banking & Trust Co. medal for best essay on "Flood control"-
won by Miss Alberta Bodker.  The Louisiana State University Scholarship-won 
by Miss Alberta Bodker.  The State Normal Scholarship-won by Miss Ola Coats.  
The Southwestern Scholarship-won by Alex Heitman.  The Underwood 
Certificate went to Miss Ester Tate.  After a "lengthy talk and arousing the 
curiosity of all persons in the auditorium, Prof. Pittman produced a beautiful 
loving cup which had been awarded by the Southeastern High School Athletic 
Association to the winners of the Basket Ball Tournament.  Ponchatoula, having 
that honor, the cup was presented to Capt. Otis Fussell, who received it in the 
name of the team.
        Following are the names of those receiving diplomas:  Alex Heitman, 
Herman Gaude, Odom Bencoz, Henry Folse, Jos. Ebrecht, Jared Besson, 
Howard Allen, D. A. Olden, Bowman Kinchen, Herman Colmer, Charlie Branch, 
Otis Fussell, Alonzo Hoover, Carl Cullom, Henry McCahill, Teddy Howes, Archie 
Bray, William Booth; Ester Tate, Marie Wooten, Dina Guitreau, Philip Bennett, 
Louise Hils, Eva Fortenberry, Clare Howes, Alberta Bodker, Norma Turnage, 
Edith Perrin, Ola Coats, Lucile Buford, Eunice Heinrich, Ella Wells and Vera 
Romes.