This is an interesting certificate, apparently given out the evening of our 8th grade graduation (if that was May 29th), and signed by Laverne Edwards, our principal, Harold A Hoff, the superintendent of schools, and Verna Westfall, teacher (she wasn't my 8th grade teacher, so perhaps she was in charge of the program). The seal says "Illinois Pupils Reading Circle" which, according to a 1904 Illinois encyclopedia was started in the late 19th century to promote reading with a set of donated books to classrooms when schools didn't have libraries (and ours didn't). I have no recollection of what was included in the reading list, so perhaps someone else remembers?
1 comment:
I have a Diploma from the Illinois Pupils Reading Circle from May 7th 1907.
This was awarded to Olive Stewart, my Grandfathers cousin who was later a teacher in Bartonville Illinois and lived on her family farm near Princeville IL.
Would be happy to share an image of the Diploma with this group and or share info and pics of the recipient.
Kind Regards,
Bob Stewart
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