The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1907-05-29
PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT.
Brilliant Closing Exercises Bring Term
or 'O6-'O7 10 4 Close.

OF 'O6-'O7 to Close.
The closing exercises of the
Brookhayen Graded High School
were darkly heralded on last Wed,
nesday night, as was unexpected,
by the city lights being accident-
ally cut off and the postpone.
ment of the entertainment billed
for that evening. This, huwever.
was a feeting cloud, indeed, fol
the gala days and nights and lights
opened up brilliantly on Thursday,
when the grand concert was given
by the music and elocution depart
ments. This was an evening dis,
tinguished in excellence along the
lines indicated. We are quite
sure, as an attentive listener at all
the exercises, that the music has
reached a degree of superiority
heretofore unattained and that the
Improvement of pupils, who have
appeared on the rostrum through
several commencements of previ'
Gus years, is marked and com
mehdabIe. MISS Bowen, the
paihstaking teacher, was warmly
congratulated upon her work. The
vocal, as we'll as the instrumental
department, was almost surprise
to visitors, although nothing short
of the highest is ever expected
from Mrs. Willoughby's gifts and
experience. The wonder grew
from number to number, how,
through grace or grit, she attained
to such remarkable harmony and
sympathy Of movement in the va.
rious concerted gyrations and
maneuvers of the little tots, and
to such excellence among the older
ones. Malcolm Guess, Brook
haven youth, gave with pleasing
effect and graceful stage presence
a vocal solo, IF / Had You. =
THIS was remarkable feat fol
one of our boys, who SO rarely
apsear in a similar role. We
hope Malcolm's example will be
emnlated through years to come.
Miss Ragsdale's special number
W as "Ye Village Skule of Long
Ago. = in which a number of pu.
pills of the expression department
took part. The characters assum-
ed by each one from the Master
and the visiting Deacon" down
to Melchisedek Doolittle were
carried out to a degree of perfec-
tioa that was gratifying to the
interested multitude that hung
with zest upon each appearance OF
the 'skollars. !" Surely, Miss
.Ragsdale understands well the
heart of the fond parent, I" who
On the special work of her
own bright (??) child; and every
mothers heart was satisfied as the
darlings, one by one in patched
trousers, bare footed or not, un-
kempt and uncontrolled, did each
his part 1t was universally
pronounced a success, and.the effic-
lent teacher is due all praise.
Friday morning the contest in
music attracted a goodlY crowd OF
music lovers and friends of the
school, who have more than ordi-
nary interest in the Julius Prize
batsch medal. Miss Aileen Nc
Nair, the sweet young daughter
of DIR. and Mrs. Tom McNair,
won over her competitors, each
one being credit, however, to
the school and the teacher.
Friday night the commencement
exercises were held, the piece de
resistance being the address by
Hon. j. B. Aswell, of Louisiana,
who charmed, entertained and in
spired his audience as few
speakers have done on similar oc-
casions. He is a school man, sup
erintendent of education of the
Pelican State, and therefore his
address was pre-eminently fitting
the occasion; and worthy of the
auspicious hour and the vast au-
dience that thronged the large
building.
The prophet of the class of '07
was Miss Belle Atwood, the gifto-
rian, Miss Mamie Harris. both
of whom acquitted themselves ex-
cellenty well. Miss Harris pre-
sentation of gifts was worded in
rhyme, was strictly to the point
and evoked admiring comment.
Miss Ruth Mckee, who SO mar
rowly missed the coveted scholar.
ship medal by one half of one pei
cent. on an average through three
grades for that many terms past
read the valedictory, thoughtful
and excellent paper. Miss Nc
Kee, has, though very young.
alresdy been honored in being
elected assistant principal Of tht
Sontag High School, and gives
promise Of being a most excellen'
teacher.
The graduates were as follows
jamie Warnock, Belle Atwood
Mamie Harris, Ruth Mckee
Anise Gotten, Neva Buie, Jer,
Gotten, CLANCY Greer, Eddi,
Greer; department certificates
were given Annie Spencer, Win
ME Dunn, Maud Turnage, Hugl
Mclaughlin. The diplomas wer'
delivered by the able principal
Prof.T r. Scott; and Prof. Hop
kins, Of Hickory, of the facult,
lof 1905, presented Che gold med
lals, as follows:
| Gold medal for spelling, award
led to Sidney Beachan, Of 6tI
lgrade; given by the board.
Gold medal for improvement