St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-06-22
Dixon Academy
Commencement

The termination Of the first ses.
sion of Dixon Academy was happily
celebrated BY commencement exer-
cises on Friday evening, June IA,
Through an hour and half the
various exercises of q wisely ar
ranged program gained ready and
lnteresed attention for those Sc
lected as the representatives, Of the
work of the Academy, Between
the several very credltable recita-
lions by the students we're dispers-
ed selections of music on the piano
and pianola BY Mr.. Leon Labatt
aud Miss Aimee Richard, a very
satisfactory and intelligently pre-.
sented essay on the trusts By Mr..
Calender MADDEN, one Of the gadu-
ates. and very direct. opportune
and humorous address by Judge
Jas. VI. Thompson. The speaker
pointed out by most trenchant and
we'll chosen illustrations the valne
of wisely selected mental capital,
dwelling with particular force upon
the advantage Of keen appreciation
of The value Of close training and
exact information. He praised the
energy, discretion and ability Of
both the founder of the Academy,
President Dixon. and its princl-
pal, and spoke Of the place the
school undoubtedly would take in
building up the social, moral and
Intellectual organization Of Coving-
ton.
Prof. W. A. Dickson, the prln-
clpaI, enforced the evenings exer-
cises by a few remarks Of great
moment and of much interest to the
patrons OF the school especially.
He referred tc the aims and par-
poses of the school, its business as
a fitting school, not alone for any
one calling but for all life, and all
the usual requirements Of life. The
care with which the course of stud
les had been selected was dwelt
upon. He reminded the schools
patrons that the idea Of the school
is that the high school work should
be done, and he explained how
work OF lower grades will be
eliminated gradually. The close
attention paid to these remarks
and the applause tina, followed
showed with how great favor they
met. The assembly room Of the
Academy was effectively decorated
for the occasion with draperies in
the school colors, old gold and
blue. Fresh, vigorous pine
broughs massed in the halls and
assembly room of the Academy
were the best emblems Of the clean,
strong moves in matters moral aud
intellectual that are attendant on
its hopeful and encouraging pro-
gress. They assisted in the reali-
zatlon of the possibilities for good
in the harmonious blending Of
strong purposes with the external
accompanlments that are character
istic of the place where the earth,
the air and the work are all pure,
clear cut and vitil,zing.
The graduates from the school
for the present session are Mr..
Calender MADDEN and Mr.. Leon l..
I.abatt. Both will enter Tulane
in the tall. Mr.. MADDEN secured
one of the two scholarships offered
BY the University to the two senior
students of the school making the
highest yearly average over 80 per
cent.
Rev. Jno. NJ. Williams offered
the opening prayer and the benedic-
ton.
Below are given Prof. w. A.
Dixon's remarks IN part:
As many Of you have doubtless
noticed, have shown. IN my cata.
loyue, only a six years course. be-
ginning two years below High |
School work as preparatory to the
regular four year High School
course following. This does not
mean hat shall receive none of
lower grade than this merit session.
All who are now in attendance,
will be rs-admitted to their proper
grades I'D October, as we'll a any
new applicants who can enter these
grades, bnt none lower. For IN
stance, my lowest primary class,
which learned to read this year,
will continue TO be the lowest grade
admitted until they reach the pre-
paratory course, when there will no
longer be any primary department.
That is, there will be next fall no !