The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1906-12-22
ocALA HIGH SCHOOL
Exercises Preparatory to Taking the
Holiday Vacation

Holiday Vacation
In the afternoon yesterday. we bent
our steps toward the Ocala high
school to note the closing hour pre-
paratory to the holiday season
on the way we met the little tots
from the primary department, presid-
ed over by Miss Nellie Stevens and
Miss Mendenhall They were full Of
the Christmas spirit. for nearly every
little boy and girl we saw had
Christmas present Of some kind and
their eyes fairly glittered with JOY.
Upon arriving at the school building
we found the first, second and third
grades. under the supervision Of Miss
Fannie Clark and Miss Margaret
Taylor, marching out and shouting for
very joy. The holiday spirit was por-
trayed or the blackboard in the draw
ings OF the scholars. Earl Hall eX-
celled himself in drawing a train Of
bells, in all manner Of shapes and
positions. Santa Claus was there in
full array with his sleigh weighted
down with Christmas presents, and
again in an automobile. There was
the good cid Christmas thee, laden
with it's precious burden.
In the fourth grade we found Miss
Fort in charge. This grade was car
rying out an interesting program.
The fiftn grade, presiued over by
Miriam PasteUr. was enjoying its
semi-morthly exercises and the pro-
gram was splendidly carried out, Miss
Pearl LidGOn was reciting a touching
piece as we entered and then the en-
tire grade san, Come all Ye Faith
full" There was such a glow of en-
thusiasm in this room, with it's neat
decorations and array Of good things
fer the poor, that we could have set
tied down for the rest of the after
noon, but had to leave.
We next visited the sixth grade,
presided over by Miss May Turnkey
who was entertaining her pupils by
reading a charming story. We then
passed to the seventh grade and had
a word or two with this grades pleas
ant teacher. Miss Hattie Dye All the
pupils were having a delightful time
in anticipation Of the holidays to
come.
We next visited the eighth grade.
with Miss Georgia Berger in charge.
who was reading them an interesting
story Of Christmas and Santa Claus
The room looked so pretty with it's
many flowers ami beautiful pictures
that we were lOath to leave.
The grammer and high school de-
partment, including grades nine, ten,
eleven and twelve. came next These
grades are watched over by Miss Sara
McCreary, ProfessoI Mates and Pro-
fessor Workman. HIRE the usual Fri
day afternoon literary exercises were
in full swing. These exercises over,
the part dearest to the hearts of the !
pupils came next. The scholars of !
the twelfth grade had prepared little /
tokens of love and respect for their /
teachers, which Edwin Spencer. pres
ident Of the Agatheridan Society. pre- |
scented in a most interesting aud |
touching speech. While it was kind |
and cOnsiderate Of the pupils to think |
Of those teachers present. it was more !
thoughtful to think Of Prof Emmett |
COwden, who was for several years |
a teacher in this department, but who |
is now teaching in the Inverness high !
school A speech was called for from /
the teachers and each responded in |
very appropriate remarks. The Star !
reporter was told that he was a well |
come visitor and that the school was |
always glad to hear from him, and |
in appreciation of this compliment he /
made a few remarks. He said the !
very air inside Of the school building /
was vibrant with the intensity of hol- |
iday enthusiasm and it was to note !
this pleasant and happy feeling that /
he had visited the school and he was
not disappointed. for it was in the
sparkling eye. the glowing cheek and
the thrObbing heart of all
In nearly every room the children
had brought gifts for distribution to
those whose circunist ances and con-
dition in life denied them such things,
which the Kings Daughters viii see
are properly distributed.
We asked every teacher we could
reach whether they would attend the
state teachers convention. and receiv-
the following answers: Miss Stew
end viii attend; Miss MendenhaH will
not attend as she viii visit her par
ents; Miss Taylor said she would go;
Miss Clark did not think she would
be able to get away; Miss Fort said
yes she was going; Miss Dye. was not
sure; Miss Turnkey was going to at
tend but would first visit her mother
at Lakeland: Miss Berger thought she
would be there; Miss Pasteur did not
think she could attend. Professors
Workman and Mates and Miss Nc
Creary were all of the opinion that
they would attend.
The Ocala school is doing splendid