Fair play., 1908-05-16
Closing Exercises of Ste.
Genevieve Public School.

The closing exercises of the
Public School were held at Wood
men Hall Tuesday evening and
were in every way very success
full. rejecting unstinted praise
on the efficient and painstaking
corps of teachers and great credit
on the youthful participants. The
program was decidedly interest
ing and very unique in that the
customary tiresome presentation
of individual selections was
omitted for program of enter
tanning playlets, drills and music,
the selections in every instance
meriting and receiving prompt
approval. Every one did well,
their efforts in most instance be-
ing of such an advanced individu-
ality as to incline us to special
praise for each. The drills. hand
somely costumcd, were delight
fully executed, especially the lit
tie Indian and gypsy features.
The playiets displayed surprising
talent in more ways than one.
The city is to be congratulated in
having so efficiently conducted an
institution, and the School Board
commended for having succeeded
in retaining such advanced and
progressive teachers. The re-
ceipts were $50 and the atten-
dance exceeded the capacity of
the hall. There were three grad
yates, Misses Olivia Petrequin
and Hilda Kohm and Claude
Robertson. to whom were pre-
sented diplomas by the President
of the School Board. DR.. j. b.
Roberts, who addressed them in
the following well timed and in
spring words
My young friends, it is peculiarly
fitting that you should be compliment
ed upon your part in the exercises of
| this evening. No one who has listened
thereto can but note the good work
accomplished by both teachers and
pupils during the past scholastic year.
You are especially to be congratulated
this evening upon your advancement
in the public school of our city, and
upon the fact that YOU have the ad.
vantages Of our great public school
system, one so beautifully systematized,
The rural districts articulate with the
village and City high schools, they with
the State Normals and Universities and
they with the still higher collegiate in
stitutions Of the United States. There
fore, | repeat, that you are to be con
] graduated upon the fact that you have
these privileges. Among the greatest
men of this country, men whose names
have gone down in history, are those
who were reared at time and place
when our common schools We're the
only opportunity. The schools Of that
day and time were not the equal of the
present day but they made it possible
for men with pluck and energy to arise
to the height of fame and thus leave
their names written on history's fairesi
page. History sometimes repeats it.
self. You, my young friends, can dc
these things. You have made the
proper beginning, completing the
course as prescribed by our public
school, under the efficient administra
ton of the present faculty. You, by
your close application, earnest anC
honest cndeavor have meritcd thes,
certificates. On behalf of the Boarc
of Education of the Ste. Genevievt
Public School i am pleased to present
them to you. They may appear OF
minor importance, but may prove tc
be of greater significance than any
thing you may hereafter receive. Dc
not stop here, but press onward anc
upward, and thus prove to be use
full citizen"