Evening journal., 1897-06-30
ADIEU TO SCHOOL DAYS.
Howard School Closed Its
Session Auspiciously
LAST NIGHT AT THE OPERA HOUSE


HON. GEORGE H. WHITE. COLOR
ED, MEMBER OF CONGRESS. AD-
DRESSED THE PUPILS-THE
AWARDING OF DIPLOMAS AND
PRIZES.
Amid flowers, music and song the
pupils of Howard School, No. l6, the
high school for colored children of
Wilmington, held their commencement
exercises in the Opera House last night.
The stage was beautifully decorated
with palms and ferns. Suspended from
the proscenium ceiling were the words
Glass of '97'' in colored electric lights
The pupils entered to the strains of
Sousa's 'El Captain March," girl pu-
pills from the left and the young men
from the right
The exercises opened with prayer by
Rev. G. A. Tindley The pupils then
sang Rossini's Awakening Of the
Birds" arranged by Professor Emil En-
gel. TIE rendition of the chorus pro-
voked rounds of applause. The bird
like echoes and the phras-
ing of the different voices showed ex-
cellent training The singing pare Of
the program was a new venture, and
covered The graduates and Professor
Engel their teacher, with glory.
The essay of Miss Flora Hannah
WOodson, The Evolution of a Book, -
was clever conception on books, their
makers and their uses. She paid tribute
to the old masters, and said that the
world owes much to the priests and
monks.
A female chorus in three parts sang
Glovers Distant Chimes" The shad-
ing was perfect and the intonation OF
the chimes was fine.
What Women are Doing" was an es-
say by Miss Adeline Brooks. She said
that the colored women of America are
coming to the front in educational
work She quoted the names of several
women who were regularly employed
on the large newspapers and magazines
OF this country. Despite race preju-
dice" said Miss Brooks, I'VE have risen
to that pedestal of a nobler, purer and
better womanhood"
Curtis Allen Ward, who is said to be
one Of the brightest young cOlored men
in Wilmington, gave an essay on "Tht
Merchant of Venice" He gave a short
description of the play, which showed
that he had studied II thoroughly, anc
his rendering of the scene between Shy.
lock and Bassanio where the latter de
sires to borrow 1900 ducats fer An.
tonic was well received. He was greet
ed with hearty applause.
President Baird introduced Hon
George II. White, colored, member o
Congress from North Carolina. He sal,
in part: 1T gives me great pleasure Il
address you on this occasion. judging
from your essays and your exerclsesl
am led to believe that your teacher
and your school are up in the branche
OF art and study. You are graduate
starting on your life's journey. and d.
not think that because you have a. fain
knowledge of Latin that YOU are capa
BILE of doing anything and everything
When the world turns, we hope that i
will revolve with you on top If yol
desire to be a preacher and teach thI
word of God, teach It, but throw awa'
garbage theology and commune VIII
! God. If you want TO be a physician b.
one, and tell your patients the truth
! Always have your own opinion. G'
forth in the world as men and women
Don't think that because you are blacl
| you Will not meet Will ohNttoos wv
made you as we'll as he made the whit
man. Raise high your standards an
let them blow. 1t makes no differenc
whether your skin is black or white
Rev. J. II. Simons presented tn
Board of Education prizes to the fol
I lowing scholars: The first prize wa
awarded TO Miss Flora WOOdson. TN
second prize was awarded Curtis ALE
( Ward Harry Spenser, former gradu
ate of the Howard School, made a shor
address, presenting the prizes offere
by Drs. Stevens and Elbert-a box 9
tools to George Laws, and $3.50 in gol
to Harry HynsOn for being the most ei
fcient in the manual training deparl
ment of the school. The work OF Ef
mund johnson received favorable me1
ton.
Charles Baird, president Of the Boar
Of Education presented diplomas
Alice Virginia Ash. Ida Cornelia Cart.
Adeline Brooks, Caleb Millburn Pric
> Curtis Allen Ward and Flora Hanna
Woodson.
After the exercises Miss Edwin
Kruse, principal of the Howard SchOo
i rendered Mr.. and Mrs. White a recel
, I tion at her home. No 210 East Tent
i street. Curtis A. Ward. on behalf Of tt
school. presented to Mr.. White a goi'
4 headed cane. Refreshments and
dance followed.
One months laundry free. Ask MAJ
haitian Laundry. SOC King street.
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