St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-05-30
Commencement Exercises.
BY MATRONITA.

The most important event of the week has
been the public school commencement exercises.
Never in the history of the public school has this
function assumed such an important, interesting
and formal character. The public has never be-
fore shown so much interest in school matters,
nor the children such keen desire to acquit them
selves with credit.
Class spirit, that anlnating power which stirs
ambition and spurs on the student to higher and
greater endeavor, intangible as it is, seems to
have done it's full mead of work, and during the
exercises it was present as an invisible host, F"
to fight on to the very end
Prof. Mathews and his efficient corps of
teachers arranged a clever program for each
session, giving the children of each grade equal
prominence and opportunity. These programs
were we'll received and appreciated by large and
attentive audiences.
On Monday at IL a. M, Rev. A. I. ToWnsley,
of New Orleans, opened the exercises at Can
trelle's Hall with commencement sermon, bring
ing in school topics and educational matters from
an ethical and religious standpoint. Mr.. Towns
ley's effort was fervid and interesting one, and
one which will doubtless bear good fruit TWAS
followed by songs, Scripture reading, prayer
and invocation.
Monday and Tuesday mornings the children
met in their class-rooms, and received final
marks and promotions, placisg them for the
coming year.
Monday night the primary grades and gram
mar schools gave their best effort to the public
at Cantrelle's Hall, and very pleasant evening
it proved to be. Pantomirne, choruses and short
play held the stage in turn, and all did so well
that it would be difficult indeed to make any
special comment.
Six pupils, chosen by contest from the fifth
sixth and seventh grades, gave a delightful
evolutionary contest, which resulted In victory
for Miss Miriam Watkins. All the young ladies'
deserve special praise for their excellent work.
Miss Watkins selection was very happy one
and seemed to appeal to the audience as it was
a clever bit Of localizing, and this, of course,
made a great hit.
Tuesday morning at II, the commencement
exercises of the High School graduates took
place. And this is the very first class ever
graduated from that institution of learning.
There were six members, and they can well be
proud of the distinction, for we'll have they
earned it. The graduates were:
Misses Katie M. Faller, Emily S. Boyle Eff
fife S. Mathews, Messrs. Geo. A. Carpenter,
Christian Dutsch and Albert Anderson.
Hon. T. H. Harris, of New Orleans, delivered
the commencement address, a very good one,
on the practical value of education, and it's eff
fects upon every calling Of life.
Mr.. Harris was requested by Prof Mathews
to give the diplomas to the deserving graduates,
which he did with appropriate words of en-
couragement and advice.
Eighteen boys and girls who have finished
the grammar school and are to be admitted next
session to the High School, received certificates
of promotion.
Tuesday night closed the High School pro-
gram, with choruses, play, 'Arabella's Poor
Relations" and Tennyson's Dream of Fair
Women" most effectively given in costume.
The little tots of the first grades were borrowed
from previous programs, and rendered some
songs most charmingly.
Prof. VIM. Dixon was called upon to bestow
the three medals won by Miss Effie S. Mathews,
essay: Mr.. Christian Dutsch essay, and Miss
Miriam Watson elocution. The medals were
presented by Mr.. ]. F. Doty and two anony-
nous friends of the public school,
Prof. Mathews and his staff of earnest teach
ers, assisted by Mrs. ]. J. Lafaye, deserve much
credit for the very excellent performances given
by their pupils.
Too much cannot be said of the efforts Supt
Evans and Prof Mathews are making for the
of our public schools, and we trust
they will receive the cooperation and support
of the people Their excellent and untiring
striving has been much crippled by lack of
funds and proper building in which to carry on
the good work and to house their charges.
Can't the coming year bring forth this very
necessary help?