Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-20


cage Quod Agis" Do what you do-and do
il we'll. is the watchword and motto of the class
Of 80 OF the High School 1t is irst-rate
motto for a class and when in years to come the
members OF the class hold their annual re-
unions it will probably be found that many of
them have lived up to it as successfully as hu-
man nature will allow At any rate, they have
started out in the right way they have done
what they have done and they have done it
well, and now. after three years of steady and
satisfactory work at the High School, they held
their commencement last night and are now
members Of the general community and not in
the ranks of those who are preparing for life.
Over the stage at Lincoln Hall last night was
long floral scroll with the words of the class
motto worked out upon il in pale yellow flowers
while from 1t hung a huge star with the class
numerals-'9O-in large figures 1t is hardly
necessary to say that the commencement was q
success. 1t was more. When a class of 2S1
popular young people of the city appear in
public to receive their diplomas that testify
to their years of honest, faithful labor it is an
event of considerable importance. and natur-
ally attracts a good deal of attention. Such
Was the case last night. By O'Clock Lincoln
Hall was packed from the footlights to the
gallery, every seat was taken, many were
standing in all parts of the house. and it IL
more than likely that there we're many who
were unable to get within the doors at all.
THE SCENE on THE STAGE.
The Marine Band was stationed down in
front Of the stage and from that vantage ground
pleased the audience with number OF popular
selections played as only the Marine Band can.
little after the curtain rose an exposed an
interesting spectacle. Ranged in a semi-circle
around the stage were eight tiers of seats and
AZ
uating class, the young women all clad in
dainty white gowns. while many of the young
men wore the regulation cadet uniform. In
front was a small reading desk and chairs for the
speakers of the evening. Commissioners Hine
and Robert. DIR. Mays. Mr. H. G. Spencer, Mr.
Powell, superintendent of public schools; DIR.
Lane. principal of the High School, and Miss
Lathe. vice principal, also were provided with
seats of honor.
THE EXERCISES
Rev. DR.. Shipper opened the exercises of the
evening with an invocation, in which he re-
turned thanks for the blessings of education
and Of free schools and for the faithfuness of
those interested in the instruction of the
youth of the land. Commissioner Douglass
presided for the evening and followed with a
pleasant little speech of welcome to the audi
ence and Of congratulation and good wishes for
the pupils. An his remarks he referred at some
length to the growth of the public school sys-
tenn in the District and told what had been and
what those interested in education here still
intend to do.
He paid a handsome tribute to the board of
school trustees for their efficiency and especi-
ally to the enterprise and energy of Supern-
tendent Powell.
After each speaker had finished there was
music. and then Commissioner Douglass would
introduce the next speaker.
THE vALEDICToRIAN.
Mr.. c. s. Albert. a member of the class. de-
livered the valedictory, and he did il WELL too
His Grafton was well thought out effort. not
horid. and free from any signs of bombast. 1t
was clear, pleasant expression of young
undergraduate thoughts and impressions and
deserved the enthusiastic applause it called
forth. He was followed by Mr.. Jno. W. Ross.
president OF the board of school trustees and
Hon. W. c. p. Breckinridge. As each speaker
finished one of the prettiest young women III
the class stepped forward and presented him
with magnificent bunch of roses tied
with long ribbons, present from the class.
DIR. L. s. Hamlin made one of his characters
tic addresses to the graduating class. after
which the diplomas we're distributed to the
graduates. A list OF their names has already
appeared in The STAR. The distribution of
diplomas closed the evenings exercises, and
the commencement. the eliminating point OF
the students student life, was over.