The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-23
COMMENCEMENT
OF HIGH SCHOOLS
Diplomas Presented to 1879
Young Graduates.
PRIZES AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Ethel Mason Wins Gold Medal of Mary
Washington Chapter D. A. R.
Mr. Macfarland's Address.

Convention Hail. beautifully decorated
and festooned. was the scene last night
OF the commencement exercises OF the
Central. Eastern. and Western High
Schools. Diplomas were granted to lS9
pupils, and prizes were generously dis
Jributed among those who had eXcelled
in the different branches of study The
exercises We're held in the presence OF
distinguished gathering of educators
and a great assemblage of the friends
and families OF the graduates.
The company of graduates, resplend-
eut in its commencement regalia, march
ed into the hall, while the Marine Band
played High School Cadets" The line
was led by the Misses Mae Thatcher
Cooke. of Central. and Grace Evelyn
Barber. Of Eastern. and behind them
came their graduates
IN a uniform manner they seated
themselves upon the platform. and to
the great throng that filled the hall
II was a pretty sight they presented. the
girls in their gowns of white. the boys
i'm evening dress and cadet uniforms,
amid profusion Of flowers and school
colors. In all parts of the auditorium
were to be seen the red and white of
the Western; the pale blue and white. OF
the Eastern. and the dark blue and
white. of the Central
Mr.. Macfarland's Address.
After the invocation by the Rev. Albert
Evans, Of the Metropolitan Presbyterian
church, the exercises were opened with
a brief address by Commissioner Mac
farland, who said
1t is hundred years since the foun-
cation OF our public schools was laid
IN washington by the act of the city
councils The centennial celebration
En n rart1H N.-.r 4
there can be no better celebration than
the commandments which close tonight
with the largest OF all For these occa-
sions show what has been done I'm the
century in and for our public schools
Ihese graduates are the latest fruit Of
bnat great tree. which mas grown in
the ten decades from such a small seed.
we nave reason 10 be glad and
proud not only In these latest results.
but IN the contributions made every
year In the past 10 the citizenship and
the common wealth of the National
capital Popular education has still its
opponents and particular features of It
nave severe critics. But IL IS genera IIv
accepted now as indispensable, and
needing only to be perfected. Certainly
II Is impregnably intrenched ga the
hearts OF our people generally.
Largest Fiscal Enterprise.
It is the greatest interest Of the Ma
tional Capital. the one calling for the
which taxpayers most cheerfuIIy pav.
The United States Government. although
IL owns more real estate here than the
taxpayers. paid nothing toward our pub
lie schools until 1875. but since then II
has paid almost as much as if it were
taxpayer owning a similar amount OF
real esutate. and its contribution has
also been cheerfully made IN the short
time OF my public service twenty-three
public school buildings have been com
pleted. at "a cost OF Sl.1S1.5S and the
total number now in use all over the
District is IA
The last four annual appropriations
or account or maintenance alone aggrt--
gate over six and a half million dollars
ne presence Of this great audience
shows IN another way. as at the other
Commencemeuts, the deep and strong
popular Interest How could IL be other
wise when nearly Cnc-siSth Of our pop-
UiatiOn Is actually i'm the public schools
THESE graduates. representing All
sections OF the community. have the
cordial congratulations and good viii
~ The Commissioners and Of their fell
loW-ciuzens as they go on 20 college
or 70 the normal school or stcu Our m
once into active life.
An address was next made biz Jrsfir.
stanton - PecIle, I'm the course Of which
he reviewed the progress OF the pu;IiC
schools OF the country.
Award of Prizes.
This was followed by enc presentati5-
oi prizes by Superintendent A. r. stuart
The awards were az follows
Of the George Washington T-nlvereit,
awards. the Kendall scholarship Wa.
won by William G.. Van Week. Central
FIRST university scholarship 10y Helen NJ
Evans. Ceuu3l second uuive-sits
scholarship by Pear. IS. Merritt. East.
cIu, third university scholarship by
h.t-ha bFt"ell. Eastern; fourth uniEer-
sly renol.sIs Snip D1 EDWARD r. Gates
central, hItn university scholarship los
william g. MclHturT. Western: siytl
university scholarship bY Eugene ii
BAH. Western. The scholarship IN IT,,
Florence Murray Central. tho Kiu2
sclDlarsnlp lu Dickinson College Of Car
l.-le, Pa Bertha T. Richards. Eastern
The scholarship in the Georgetown Medi
ern.
Tne following scholarships wer,
awarded upon the records OF the indi
hldUal schools The technical scholar
ship Of the Contra. High school i.i L.
hlsh University. Albion y. Van Week
Inc tCr suicIl scholarship u tho Western
High School in Lehigh University, Ed
w-tro D. Petersen, tho technical scholar
ship OF the Eastern High school IN lie
high University was not competed fer o.
awarded
Washington and Lee
Scholarships iu Washington and L.,
University were awarded as follows
Central Sigh School Edward Clyd
Iioyo. Eastern High school. Richard W
IlsusOu. Western High school. no as
sgnneIlt made
Tho scholarship in the Washington
College OF Law was awarded 90 RuUl
Jarvis Tiuer. Central High School
Miss Ethel Louise Mason. of the East
etu Won tho gold medal awarded by th'
Mary washington Chapter ~ the
Daughters OF the American Revolution
for the best essay on American history
having as her subject Tine Peace NeSo
tItluuE Between England and Amer
tc8. Honorable mention was give
4ils- May r. Cooke. Of the Central
v hose subject was Colonial COuimittr-l
Of Corresp Ondeuce."
The diplomas were conferred b. Com
missioner 1iacfIrlaud.
YOUNG COUPLE DROWNED