Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-21
FIT FOR TEACHERS PLACE
Exercises Held at
dressed by Promiaent Educators.

The commencement exercises of the Nor
NAL School Of the District of Columbia took
place yesterday morning at 10 o'clock In
normal hall Of the Franklin School building
Forty-eight young women were given diplo-
mas, they having completed the two years
course that fitted them for teachers posi-
tons in the public schools of Washington.
Each year the commencements of the
Normal School are features of the series of
closing exercises that make this season of
the year notable. Devoid of grandeur and
pompous display, the simple ceremonies
are, nevertheless, deeply impressive. The
graduating classes are made up of practi-
cal young women who have determined
purpose in life.
This years commencement was a model
one in many respects. The hall was set IN
green, palms and clinging vines being ex-
clusively used. The effect was one of breezy
GOODNESS and very pretty. On the platform
sat Mrs. 1. G. Myers principal Of the Nor
NAL School; Prof. w. B. Powell, Superln-
tendent Of schools; Mr.. George H, Harries.
Normal School representative on the board
of school trustees; DR.. F. X. Lane, director
of high schools; Mr.. W. B. Pattlson, super
visor Of the sixth division or schools, ana
Mr.. ]. w. Whelpey president or the BOARD
Of school trustees, all of whom took part
in the ceremonies Of the morning. IN the
front rows of the auditorium sat the grad
yates, clad in becoming gowns OF White
stuff The remainder of those present IN
cluded near relatives and intimate friends
Of the members of the graduating class
who were the only ones composing the IN
vitation lists.
Prof. PowelIs Address.
The exercises were inaugurated with
chorus by the class. Prof. Powell delivered
the Introductory address. His talk was
practical one throughout, in which ne out
lined the Importance of the trust that would
be placed in the hands of those Of the grad
yates who might be called upon to take up
the work of teaching the little chlldren
their first lessons. Upon the teacher rests
a great responsibility, he said Especia1iS
is this true with those officiating IN the
lower grades. Their close relation with
the pupils make them a power for good or
evil at will. Prof Powell expressed ms
confidence in the graduating class anu S r..
he felt assured not one would Snlrk Hel
duty and would fully realize the dl1ncultles
and significant Importance OF her WORK:
During later years it has been custom
and desire of the school to have the normal
trustee included in the list Of speakers.
Last year this feature was, of necessity,
omitted. Trustee Harries, the fepfesei'a-
tive, absent, serving at the tlne as
colonel of the LIST District Regiment OF VOL
unteers. So it was that on yesterday, When
Mr. Harries arose to make an address, ne
was warmly applaudad and given the STRICT
est attention by the graduates and audience
alike. In his remarks of a general charac-
ter, he spoke of the importance OF the Nor
NAL School in the District system OF educa-
ton. In the Normal School teachers are
made The value of the good teacher, thor
oughly trained and adapted to her work is
not to be overestimated, Mr.. Harr1es de-
clared. He spoke also of the advantages TO
be gained by the extension. of the Normal
chool course from one to two years, a
change recently made.
While much was accomplished during the
year OF study, he said. designed especially
t5,-} hon
and more advantageous were two years en-
pIoyed in the same line of educational pur-
suit. The speaker also dwelt upon the re-
lation between the Normal School gradu-
ates and the board of trustees. The latter
officials repose every confidence in the
young women who complete their earlier
knowledge by a course in the normal lnstl-
tuition.
To the Graduates. -
Turning to the class, Mr.. Harries said he
would never make an address to the gradu-
ates; his remarks would attain no greater
dignity than that attending plain talk"
He congratulated those of the class who
had attained the leading positions, but his
words were addressed later to the lower
half, whom he encouraged and urged not to
be- detected or put out. Mr.. Harries said
that while it was not possible in such
large class for all to be leaders, it was pos
sible, and to be expected, that in later
years, in their individual study and employ
ment, each member of the class would at
tain 10 equal anu lIpol ldul ulSlilCllOH ne
continued in this vein for some time, and
as he said initiallY, Just talked to the
young women. His remarks, however, were
full of encouraging advice. Mr.. Harries
also let a bit Of humor drift into his talk
now and then thus Frightening the more
serious side of his subject.
Another musical selection by the class
was followed by address by DR.. Lane.
He added new light on many of the topics
touched by the preceding speakers. His ex-
perience in the schools amply fitted DIR.
Lane for an address to the Normal gradu-
ates who will soon enter the service of the
educational authorities. w. b. Pattison's
address was thoroughly enjoyed, too. Both
were brief and to the point and entertain
ing as well.
Diplomas Conferred.
Diplomas were conferred by Mr.. Whelp-
ley, and the graduation morning was
brought to a close with a song by the class
Following is the alphabetical list of the
graduates:
Misses NJ. Adams, L. E. Ballenger. c. A
Barnes. J. Benjamin, j. Began, E. Bran
denburg, c. A. Bright, NJ. F. Bugbee, N.
Burt, c. NJ. Byrn, o. R. Chaplin, A. J.
Clark, C. E. Darby, II: A Denson NJ. F.
Goebel M. Hall, L. V. Haycock, F. Hay
den, G. Herman, E. M Hull, X. r. Kenne-
dy, ]. A. Kupfer, E. Lackey, E. H. Samson
A. 1. Little, NJ. P. Lockwood, V. r. Lud-
gate, E. 7. Maurer, L. McNally, J. w.
Moore F. /. Morrill,, M. A. Murphy N j.
Perry, V. M. Reeves, e. r. Rowe; M. E.
Rozzelle, T. F. Schoenborn, c. L. Smith c.
K. Stutz. A. T. Tucker, E. r. Voss, A.
Walker, L. M. Wanstall, NJ. Weide, X. ].