The Arizona sentinel., 1907-06-05
COMMENCEMENT
 EXERCISES
Immense Crowd Greets Young America cf City SchooIs--rlOst
 Successful Year in their History.

goes without dispute. The term en- rollmeut reached near the 600 mark and the average daily attendance has been about $50.
 The commencement exercises the evening of May 30th were witnessed by the greatest assemblage of people that Yuma has ever known. Business houses were closed early, homes desert ed. hotel lobbies silenced. and more than two thousand people gathered on the Central school campus tO witness the programme prepared for the occa- sion.
 The east verauda of the Central building, which was used for stage, was beaming with the class colors. blue and white, and interspersed with ferns, pepper boughs, and potted plants and cut flowers, with Old Glory occupying & prominent place in the center, These decorations gleamed in all their glory when the electric lights were turned on This was an occasion for rejoic- ing, because erybody in Yuma is in- crested in her schools, and they were all present-pupils, parents and friends had all turned out. en masse.
 At T:30 o'clock the curtain rose, and under the direction of Superintendent Met Lure the chorus club of fifty voices rendered Columbia, ," which almost rent the air with sweet strains. The girls each wore sash consisting of the national colors, while each of the boys carried flag, and with the concluding chorus, "Three cheers for the red, white and blue," the entire assem blaze seemed brim full and running over with that patriotic spirit which fills the American breast on Independence day.
 Every drill and recitation on the pro gramme was given in faultless man. ner, showing conclusiyely that the teachers in the city schools had la bored earnestly and efficiently for the welfare of the children, and the pa irons are justly proud of tbeir children and of the school. There have been many changes in the conduct of U e schools within the past two years and the Sentinel believes that they are abreast of the very best city school in Arizona. Certainly there are none ad- vancing more rapidly, and there is no place, east or west, where the people are more yitally interested in educa- | tion than right here in Yuma. It is this patriotic spirit which is making a l New Yuma and d Greater Yuma. The people are perfectly satisfied with edu- cational conditions and they are going to be loyal supporters of the present school management and aid in building up school system right here second to no other in the land.
 There were thirteen graduates, namely:
 Verma Ray Charles Connor Lillian Wadin Harry Brazie i Bessie Low Robert Garner Lucille Ketcherside Sam Caruthers
 Violet Lyall Hale Smith
 Georgia Greer William Low
 Lilly Bernstein
 Hon. r. T. Robertson made the class address. Mr. Robertson has d splen- dit reputation as an orator, and in this address he added new laurels. It was full of wisdom for the class and no doubt his words will be guiding stars for the class of nineteen-seven.
 J. W. Dorrington, president of the Board of Trustees, presented the diplo- mas to the thirteen bright pupils, and having known most of them from early childhood the task became indeed pleasure.
 In many large audiences, such as was assemble on this occasion, there is more or less disturbapce by people ar irving and leaving during the exercis- es: but this one was an exception. Everybody was present at the opening of the programme and no one left until the curtain dropped for the last time. The order was remarkable because it was matter of interest to everyone.
 It being Decoration day, an extra number was added for the benefit of the old soldiers, "Tenting On the Old Camp Ground" being sung by the fifty voices in the chorus club. This was appreciated to the fullest by those who have served their country, and by all present. It was an evening full of joy and delight for young and everybody went home happy.
 This being such successful year with our city schools, the Sentinel real izes the appropriateness of saying a few words personally about each teach CT, since all have been re-employe another year. and many of the patrons will be interested to read something of this nature about the teachers of their children for another year.
 Mir. A. H. Mcclure, the superintend ent, has had charge of the schools for two years past and is one of the most competent and widely-known educators in the entire southwest. He is a prime | mover in almost all educational reforms | in Arizona and is one of the most popu- lar educators that has ever been in the l territory. He has been in Arizona five years and has had prominent place | on the prOoTamme of the TerritOrial |