The Washington times., 1902-05-18

splendid high schools are examples, there
is little wonder that the Capital Of the
Nation is an educational center.
From the schools of business practice.
where the stenographers and bookkeepers
are made; from the colleges of law and
! medicine; from the history classes; from
the study Of languages; from the semi
naries of theology; from the scientific in
stitutions; from the mathematic classes.
and from every conceivable place of learn
ing will pour the graduates within short
while. The number OF pupils who will
graduate from the various institutions in
the District Of Columbia. it is estimated.
will considerably exceed the number at
any time in the past. And with this
growth in the number of those who yearly
receive diplomas has been manifested
rapid increase in the number of those who
graduated from commercial schools and
colleges, where a business education was
the principal feature OF the curriculum.
And it is said by those who are in
position to know, that there will be more
pretty girls among the graduates this year
than for some time past. Particularly is
this true of the high school graduating
classes.
Still There's More to Follow
But this wholesale outgoing of pretty
maidens will not leave the schools barren
of attractive faces next year. There are
as many more TO fll their places. As well
as having an extensive reputation for the
excellence of its public schools, Washing
ton boasts of an almost unrivaled number
of beautiful school girls.
The approach of commencement day is
already becoming manifest in the schools;
in fact, IL has been looked forward TO with
mingled feelings of longing and unutter-
able dread for several weeks. The season
of final preparation is on. The closing
examinations. the nightmare of every stu
dent who ever faced them. are here: the
final meetings of the faculty TO determine
the list OF graduates will be held in a few
days; preparations for commencement it.
self VIII soon be necessary-everything is
unsettled and in a state of great excite
ment. Upon the work of the next two
weeks will depend the fate of every stu
dent in the National Capital who is striv-
ing for a diploma this year Books that
have lain practically idle for two months
are being brought hastily forth and their
contents energeiically perused. Long for
gotten principles OF algebra and geometry
are being revived with as much diligence
as though the lives of the pupils depended
upon their success in examining their
heads full OF knowledge concerning every
stepped out OF the ark.
The Final Exams.
Theaters and other places Of amusement
receive but scant patronage from the
throngs Of habitual matinee boys and girls
just at present Every spare moment is
upon the task of preparing for
those final examinations. Few and far
between are the cases where the midnight
oil is not burned with unfailing regularity
six, If not seven, nights a week.
Meanwhile the students are living In a
state of great fear and trembling. VIII |
they funk" after all, or VIII sheepskin |
be the final reward OF their toll up the |
steep and rocky pathway OF knowledge? |
That is one great question that confronts |
each and every one of them. and rings |
in their ears night and day. For no one is |
certain OF graduating until his or her name |
is read among the list OF the successful. |
To fail means another year must be spent |
in going over the same ceaseless grind, a
task fairly appalling to the student mind
To pass means graduation and above all
else the close of school.
Nothing brings greater JOY to the new
graduate than the single thought that
there are no more lessons to be studied.
no more examinations TO be prepared.