The Democratic advocate., 1908-06-05
HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT.
4 Large Gathering TO Witness the
Closing Exercises.

II LdISG UdtHCIlhS W enO
Closing Exercises.
The annual commencement OF West |
minister High School was held Monday
evening in the main room of the school
building in the presence of large |
audience. The room was tastefully
decorated with the class colors of
black and gold. On the platform
were Prof. George F. Morelock, prin-
cipal of the school; Prof. S. Simpson,
of the county school board; DR.. j. W.
Herring, Editor W. L. w. Seabrook, of
the Sentinel, and Fred. D. Miller.
Prof. Morelock made brief address, |
in which he reviewed the work of the |
year, expressed satisfaction at the |
progress made by the pupils in gen. |
eral, and lauded the admirable work
done by those who were about to re-
ceive their diplomas
Rev. T. H. Lewis was to have de-
livered the address to the graduates, |
but he was sick and unable to be pres |
ent. In his absence,a hurry-up call was
sent to Dr. Herring, who responded in
his customary obliging and happy
manner. After one or two anecdotes
to put the audience in good humor,
he spoke to the graduates on the sub
ject of optimism and pessimism. He
said these young people were start
ing out in life with all the optimism
natural to youth and they could use the
knowledge they had acquired to splen-
did advantage in imparting to others
the spirit of hope and progress and
achievement.
Editor Seabrook gave the graduates
few words of advice, and Prof. Simp-
son spoke of the work of the school
board, after which the graduates held
the center of the stage.
Miss Hattie Mae Freeman came first
with an essay on "Tne First American
Girl" the same being Miss Pocahontas,
the patron saint of the Smith family,
a review of her life and surroundings,
the nobility of character which
prompted the untutored Indian maiden
to interfere in the decapitation cpl
sode, and it's influence upon future
generations.
Miss Katherine L. Lynch dealt with
the Five Laws of Success"
ton, determination, perseverance, self
denial and faith-and demonstration
in the most convincing manner the
impossibility of failure when equipped
with these five promoters OF success.
Miss Lillian Shipley gave a sketch
OIL lu0 Mdlu VI OllSduO, hO1 loWAy
birth and discouraging environment,
the great heart which absorbed and
sympathized with the sufferings of
her fellow-creatures and the grand
struggle for liberty which makes her
!, name today a household word. The
lesson drawn was that If this frail
girl, so poorly equipped in every way
!, could accomplish so much, we, with
our greater knowledge and advanced
civilization, can do very much more for
, the betterment of mankind.
Miss Blanche Williamson chose as
, her theme "True Nobility" and in
stances were noted in which great
. deeds had not been inspired by noble
motives, while, on the contrary, many
worthy acts, which had not received
the plaudits of the multitude nor the
enconimus of the press, had been
, prompted by that true nobility which
: consists in helping ones fellowman to
better enjoyment OF life.
John Milton Reifsnider, Jr., GRATED
on "The Progress of Prohibition" in
such manner as to warrant the pre-
!, diction that he will prove a worthy
I. successor of his distinguished father
After a selection by the band, Prof
!. Morelock, assisted by Prof Kolb
!. Certifcatec of honor and honorable
;, mention were given as follows:
1 Fourth grade, certificate of honor
to Thomas Shaw; honorable mention
!, Louise Miller and Gussie Spisler.
J. Fifth grade, certificate of honor te
Erman Kaufman; honorable mention
e Latimer Elderdice and Myrtle Our
e sler.
Sixth grade, certificate of honor tt
; Louise Matthew's; honorable mention
l., Esther Lennon and Rebecca Cohen.
: Seventh grade, grammar school
/ certificate to Mary Whitmore; honor
able mention, Emma Slagle and Guy
Williams.
e Seventh grade, high school, certif.
e cate of honor to Allen Sharrer; honor.
D able mention, Hattie Willet and Geo
: Little.
e Eighth grade, certificate of honor
/ to Beulah Snader; honorable mention
!, James Crawford and Ethel Manahan.
! Ninth grade, certificate of honor to
/ Mary Roger; honorable mention, FL
e sic Coppersmith and Irene Kaufman.
e Boys composition prize in 7th
: grade, Geo. Little.
5 Girls composition prize in 7th
grade, Azalea Shipley.
: Composition prize in 9Th grade, Jas.
2 Crawford.
Francis Reese and Lavigne Billing
!. slea, acted as usherS.
. Music was furnished by the First
Regiment band.
At the close of the commencement
exercises, all the teachers of the high
school and the members of the gradu-
ating class were invited to the resi-
dence of Mrs. DR.. D. F. Shipley, where