Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-17
FITTED FOR TEACHING
CLOSING EXERCIHES OF MINER
SCHOOL TODAY.
Diplomas Presented by Commissioner
Macfarland-List Of the Grad
uates-The Speakers

fications to teach In the schools OF the
country The diplomas were presented py
Commissioner Mcfarland, and the class
was addressed by Rev. A. c. Garner
The exercises were held in the assembly
hall of the Miner building, commencing at
IL o'clock this morning. DR.. w. 8. Mont
gomery, assistant superintendent in charge
of the colored schools, presided. grouped
about the platform were Mrs. Henry L.
West and Mr.. ]. Holdsworth Gordon OF the
board of education, Mr.. A. T. Stuart, su-
perintendent Of schools; Mrs. l. G. Myers
assistant superintendent; Commissioner
Mcfarland, Rev. w. b. Johnson Il. ~;
Rev. A. c. Garner and Miss Lucy r: MO.
ten principal Of Washington Normal School
No 2.
The audience gathered to witness the
graduation exercises completely filled the
hall and overlooked into the corridor In the
rear The walls of the room were drapeo
with American flags, and on the black
boards which ran around the walls were
drawn and written appropriate pictures and
sentiments. all the work OF the members OF
the graduating class. The platform was
banked with flowers and potted plants, and
in the center was table on which the di-
plomas reposed in a bed of ivy leaves. Be-
meath the table were piled large punches of
cut flowers, gifts to the graduates from
their friends.
The members Of the graduating class
were given seats in the front-center of the
Tall, ana IndTCueu lHlO lIclI 1Ioh
the adjoining rooms just before the opening
of the exercises. AS soon as all had been
seated Rev. DR.. Johnson pronounced the in
vocation. After a song by the class Or.
Montgomery made short speech, in which
he referred to the progress Of the colored
schools during the last thrty-five years.
and especially to the schools in the District.
He said that the colored people owed
great debt to the late Miss Mary Miner the
pioneer In the education of the negro in
the District. Miss Miner worked and sac
rifced for the negro when 1t meant some
thing of sacrifice to do the work. he de-
clared, and it seemed that 1t was no more
than just and proper that the students OF
the Washington Normal School No.
should each year honor the memory of this
great woman and make testimonial of the
same by placing her grave at Oak H:ll
cemetery a wreath of flowers. He told the
members of the lass of some Of the diff
culties they would have to overcome. and
of what their duty should be. He declared
that in them lay the making or unmakng
of the children put in their care, and that
to them the nation looked for it's citizens.
Mr.. Mcfarland was then introduced.
Mr.. Macfarland's Address.
The Commissioner congratulated the class
in the name of the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia and in his own per-
sonal capacity. He said the government Of
the District trusts much to the teachers
Of its schools The children of the COM
munity are the most precious charge 1t
can give and it is these whose lives are
placed in the hands of the school teacher.
Continuing, Mr.. Mcfarland said:
This school has a national reputa ton
for good work and practical results. Its
principal her associates and the graduates
are to be congratulated on their ach eve
ments. We know that the school has been
of great value in furnishing expert teach
ers, not only to our own community, but
to others in many states. They are part Of
the forces that lead their people to higher
circumstances and better cond tons. They
have been taught here how to teach othe.
to study and to work. with the high courage
and the faithful spirit which wins success
over all difficulties. Many of these grad
yates represent great self-sacrffice on the
part of relatives and of themselves, ana
have had the advantage of stern necessitys
discipline. To persist over all obstacles and
through all disbursements is in itself an
achievement which shows what they will De
able to do for us. On this day wh:cn
closes their long school struggle and opens
the door of opportunity and of responsible
ity we rejoice with them and wish them
Godspeed Their success in their future Ia
bors will benefit US all.
Those Who Graduated.
AS Miss Moten called the names OF the
graduates the Commissioner then presented
the diplomas. The class consisted OF thirty
Young women and seven young men, as fol-
lows: Kathleen McCook Amber, Georgia
Clarissa Brown, Matte Lawrence Brown
Margaret Mabel Bruce, Anna Serena Car
ter, Rosa Belle ChiIds. Josephine WINS
Clarke Julia Beatrice Collier, Sarah Agnes
Davis, Lillian Hall Ford. Ethel Mae Glib
bons, Maud Elizabeth Green, Mary Viola
Hamilton, Marion Carmenclta Harris
Elizabeth Armenia Howard, Clotii MOCK
neer Houston, Helen Feranda Jones, Eli
frida Harris Kennedy Blanche Emily
Langhorn, Eleanora Caroline Minkins Bea-
trice F1netta Male. Rosetta Eloise Orme'
Gerster Mary Smallwood, Julia Hamilton
Smith, Rosa Belle Stokes, Lula Vashti Tur-
ley, Frances Rachel Turner, Helen Eliza
beth Webb, Mary Elizabeth Wilson, Cor
nelia Lee Young, Alfred Percival Brent,
James David Campbell. Edwin Bancroft
Henderson, Joseph Henry Johnson Will
lam Ernest Lewis. George Luther Sadgwar.
Geraldon Smith WOrmley.
Song Of the Glass.
After the singing OF the class song, the
words for which were written by Geraldon
Wormley Smith, one of the graduates. the
music being Rubinstein's melody in F, Rev.
A. c. Garner made the address to the
graduates The speaker referred to the life
the young men and women before him were
about to take up. and spoke OF Its respon-
sibilities. The work of teacher, he said,
was one of great power for good or evil.
make their work for good. In the care of
the young which is given to their charge the
teacher should be cautious in her manner.
The pupils will take cue from the teacher
as to proper behavior. and teacher can
not afford to let their pupils have anything
but the best example The speaker referred
to the opportunities that would come to
shift responsibility, and warned his hearers
to be careful OF such temptations. At the
conclusion of the address the class sang q
series of children's songs in an excellent
manner. after which the benediction was
pronounced and the graduates held an in
formal reception, their friends pressing for
ward to extend their congratulations. The
| entire class was presented to Dr. Montgom-
cry and Superintendent Stuart
The officers Of the class are: President,
George Luther Sadgwar; vice president,
| Maud Elizabeth Green; secretary. Rosa
Belle Stokes; treasurer, Sarah Agnes Davis.