The Dickinson press., 1899-05-20
Fifth Annual Commencement.

The fifth annual commencement of the
high school occurred in the opera house
last evening when the following rogra
was rendered:
PROGRAM:
Overture ............ Dickinson Band
Ductt. pretty Pansies"
Miss Vera Slack, Miss Beth Robinson.
Solo, "rhe Song that Mother Sang to Me"
Mr. ]. f. Slack.
Recitation "The Last Hymn"
Miss Anna Dickinson.
Duett............ Trombone and Cornet
Mr.. c. Rau and MI. b. Rau.
Song ."Does 90 Love Me Baby
Miss Jessie Mcssersmith
Solo,"I Can't leave the Old Folks Alone
Miss Vera Slack.
Duet. "After The War is Der"
Miss Ella Ray, Miss Dora Tollcfson.
Overture ......... ......D Dickinson Band
Duet. 1.-Two Little Maids
Gertrude Lucas, Nellie Klinefelter.
american Ideals
Miss Genevieve Clare Crowley.
Presentation of Class, Prin. CHI. Clemmer
Presentation Of Diploma, D. S. Little
hales, Esq, President of School Board.
Solo and Chorus, ."Brave Dewey and His
Men," J. F. Slack and ID young ladies.
f1tlleilSd Everybody.
The stage was prettily decorated by
the alumni and teachers under the d.
rection Of Miss Mary Crowley and a
pretty effect vas achieved with potted
plants and flags and the motto, "Initium,
non finis," in the class colors, blue and
gold.
Aside from the two pleasing selections
by the band, the music was in charge of
]. F. Slack and showed faithful work on
his part; while much credit is also due
the accompanist, Miss Emma Messer-
smith.
The young ladies who sang solos and
Duets had remarkably sweet voices and
most of them were heard in public for
the first time. W. hope it will not be the
last.
The solo by Miss Jessie Messersmith,
brought down the house and recalled,
she sang, kiss Me Once for Mama"
Florence Dickinson's room, and trained
by her, sang their song sweetly and en-
tered entirely into the spirit of it, while
their blue %sunbonnets and pinafores and
red stockings added much to the effect.
Mr.. Stacks song, Grave Dewey and
His Men"-a stirring new piece-with
chorus by fourteen young ladies dressed
in white, was we'll received as was also
his solo.
Miss Anna Dickinson gave the only
recitation of the evening which was a
pleasing part of the program.
The interest of the evening, however
.centered in the essay of the graduate
Miss Genevieve Clare Crowley, who has
been a faithful student at the high schoo
during the past three years. Owing te
her reputation for high scholarship and
for studious habits, much was expected
and no one was disappointed.
Looking very fair and sweet in hel
white gown of Persian lawn with its gar.
niture of white lace and ribbon and white
carnations, she read a thoughtful, forcibls
and convincing answer to the charge
that is often heard that our countrv's pro-
gress has been on the lines of materia
prosperity alone. In sentences breath
ing patriotism the fair reader reviewed
her country's history, emphasizing the
lofty principles that led our forefather:
to seek a home in America and to battle
for political freedom.
Was it love of wealth, she inquired
that gave birth to our constitution and
that put an end to:slavery; or was it greed
that established our great system OF pub.
lie schools. She Indignantly hurled back
the SANDER by proudly referring to our
numerous charitable institutions. She
also called the roll of Americas ~literar.
characters to refute another SANDER tina,
we have moi made reasonable advance.
ment in literature.
The conclusion of her essay, where she
spoke Of Americas mission, Of the equal.
ity of all before the law, and of the poor
mans opportunities, gave proof that she
has caught the spirit of our institutions
and was a credit alike to her patriotism
and to her culture.
Her friends were proud of her effort
and we'll they may be. We congratulate
her heartily.
In presenting the class for honors o
graduation, Principal Clemmer explained
that toward the close of the preceding
school year the class numbered foul
members, one Of whom went to war, an
other ven to Tacoma and a third, owing
to p%rotracted illness, was unable to com
plete the course, thus reducing the grad
yates to one After speaking in eulo
CYSTIC terms of Miss Crowley's scholar
. ship, attendance and department, he pre-
sented her to President L%ittlehales.
Chairman Littlehales, owing to illness
made no extended remarks upon pre-
senting the diploma.
, CARD OF THANKS.