The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1908-06-05
Commencement Week al the Normal
School.

The final exercises Of the Normal
School began last Saturday night win
bonfire and tableau p ophesy given
in the auditorium 10y the graduating
class. A pile of wood was placed III
the centre Of the stays and each senior
came up to the pile and with appro-
pirate words threw upon the pile the
thing that had given her the most
trouble during her school life. Text
books, notebooks, hand work, love
letters and everything that may per-
tain to the life Of school girl was
freely and apparently gladly given to
be burned and forever forgotten. AZ
ter all had been tossed upon the pile
Miss Mary Lou Tucker lighted
match to tableau powder and the class
sang with glee while the whole dis
tasteful mass seemed TO burn.
After this Miss Emily Lewclling, IN
the character Of Mother Goose, read
the class prophesy aud each girl IN
tableau or pantomine represented the
part which the prophet declared she
would be filling in ten years from now.
The many pleasant hits were much
appreciated by the students who I'M
derstoOd them.
On Sunday night Bishop James At
kins, Of Waynesville, y. c., preached
the baccalaureate sermon. His sub
iect was "rhe Ever-C coming Christ"
The School Glee Club formed the
choir and besides leading the congre-
CATION in the singing Of the hymns,
they rendered most effectively the an
them which preceded the sermon.
The program of Monday night was,
in spirit, a continuation Of that given
Saturday night. An interesting his
tory of the class was read by Miss
Jesse Matchmaker; Miss Bessie Samp-
son, the poet Of the school, read short
but well written class poem, and sew
eral class songs were sung. Al the
close of the exercises Miss Mary Hen
ley Spencer, the giftorian of the class,
came forward with large basket filled
with great variety of things, and
presented to each member OF the class
gift which was supposed TO be pecu-
liarly appropriate to the individual re-
ceiying il. Each gift was recognized
as a gentle hit, and the girls enjoyed
the Jokes at one another's expense,
and The audience enjoyed il all inn
mensely.
At $3.50 o'clock the graduates and IN
vited guests assembled in the Recep-
ton Hall for the formal reception
given to the class and their friends 10y
President Jarman. The Reception
Hall was beautifully decorated in the
class colors, and dainty refreshments,
carving out the same color scheme,
were served in the dining room.
Many parents and friends Of the grad
yates were present ard enjoyed the
leading social event of the year.
The commencement exercises were
held Tuesday morning at 1890 o'clock.
The salutatory was delivered by Miss
Beverly Andrews, and the valedictory
NV Miss Grace Beale. The address
was given by DR.. f. V. y. Painter, OF
Roanoke, Va. His subject was "Ih6
Poetic Side of Life" He emphasized
the importance Of living up TO ones
opportunities, TO see and appreciate
the beautiful things about Us. 10 the
one who can appreciate there is Offered
a rich experience even though he have
not rich pocketbook.
The front of the stage was decorated
with a wealth of flowers which were
TO be given to the graduates at the
close of the exercises. These with the
class penants and cOlOrs and the forty
four graduates dressed i'm white made
the stage look most beautiful. IheT'
was but one thing lacking To MAKE
the exercises perfect. President Jar
man was called away by subpoen'
TO testify in court and he was obliged
to be away from the closing exercises
Dr. Jones presided in his stead an'
presented the diplomas.
1t was gratifying TO see "A large mum
Der of parents present to see the'
daughters receive the reward oi iai'i
ful work and to rejoice with them il