Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-06-13
Commencement Exercises Held at
Academy Of Music With arge
Crowd In Attendance.
HON. A. c. BRAxrON TUE ORATOR
Brilliant Address to the Members Of
the cIass-clever Essays and De-
cIamations by the Students Them.
selves-oeIivcry of Diplomas, Med.
ais and Scholarships.

me annual commencement eNcr-
cises OF the local High school. which
were held in the Academy Of Music
last night, were the most elaborate i'm
the history of the school and, dcspit c
the heavy downpour of rain, the Aca-
DENY was well filed with friends and
relatives of the graduates and patrons
of the public schools. The audience
was representative one and made M
in enthusiasm what it lacked in size.
In the galy decorated balcony boxes
were the alumni Of the school, while
the other boxes were occupied by the
special guests.
AT SAB O'Clock the board OF school
trustees. High school faculty and the
speakers marched OH the stage, leading
the graduates. AS the first member
OF the graduating class of 1905 appear
ed on the stage there was Il burst of
applause from the audience which did
not cease until the last OF The sixteen
graduates appeared from behind the
wings.
The exercises were opened with
prayer by Rev. Milo Atkinson, pastor
Of the Thirtictli Street Christian
church DIR. William T.. Cooper, prcs-
dent of the board of school trustees.
who presided, then delivered Il short
address. lie declared that the High
school was second to none in the State
and that during the past three years
many new and excellent improvements
had been made in the courses of study
The speaker addressed few re-
marks TO the graduates and was hear
lily applaudcd when he concluded.
Miss Clara Gresham, salutatorian of
the class, then read All interesting and
ably written snlutatory essay, in which
she extended to the audience Il cordial
welcome To the last exercises of the
High school class of 1905
Mr. William Archibald Graf, who
won third nonor In his class, then dc
livercd an original defamation cnti-
tied Patriotism" The defamation,
which was well prepared and delivered
made IL very favorable Impression.
Hon. A. Capcrton IIraXton, one Of
tho States foremost men and the
orator of the occasion, was then intro
duccd by Superintendent Of Schools
John Shelton Jones. The address OF
MIR. Braxton furnished food for deep
thought and study and 1t carried q
strong message to the members OF the
graduating class. Couchcd in the most
beautiful language, delivered in IL
pleasing manner and Astounding in in
atruction for The graduates, the adj
drss made n strong impression upon
the audience and the members OF the
class. The speaker warned the young
ladies and young men against the
rocks and shoals, which bcsct the sea
Of life. said that dark clouds would
overshadow their lives, but that, trust
ing to the Infinite Power. they would
safely reach the shore OH the other
side.
Further the speaker told The gradu
ates that they should never forget their
responsibilities as members of the
great white race and as sovereign
American citizens. He said all things
shall come to him who works, and I'M
less one works he can never attain
success in any walk Of life.
In conclusion the speaker said that
If each one of the graduates should so
forth In the world with the three vir-
es-sell-sacrlicc, sclf-rcliancc and