Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-24
'uAUO NIGHT SCHOOL
Twenty In First Class Grad.
uated From Armstrong.
FILLS AN URGENT NEED
Opportunity for Young Men and
Women to Equip Themselves
for Work.

The graduating exercises of the first
night class to complete the four-year
course at the Armstrong Manual Training
School took place In the study hall Of the
school last night. The class numbered
twenty young men and women, their
courses having included millinery, cleo
tricity. machine shop practice, sewing and
woodwork.
The twenty graduates underwent in
struction three nights week on the aver
age of twenty weeks a year for four
years. The thoroughness of the courses
was amply testified to in the exhibits,
specimens of the work done by the grad
yates displayed in the school shops and
workrooms. Last nights results bid fair
for an extension OF the night schools
among the colored population in all Sec
tions of the city.
The exercises were presided over by A.
c. Newman. principal of the school, and
DR.. w. b. Evans, assistant director.
Those on the platform during the exer-
cises were DR.. William v. Tunnel, Rich
ard r. Horner, John A. Chamberlain, P.
NJ. Hughes, II. o. Hine, A. T. Stuart, DIR.
Barton ". Evermann and Roscoe c.
Bruce. The chief addresses of the even
ing were delivered by Supt Stuart and
Assistant Supt. Bruce.
Meeting a Great Need.
Tonight shows what the night schools
in this building can accomplish and what
they can do for the betterment and up
lift Of the young men and young women
who take advantage of them" said As
sistant Supt Bruce. 'They are meeting
a need in this community which has been
felt for a long time. and which we of
the public schools have been exerting
every effort to fulfill. The night school is
no longer an experiment, it is recog-
niZed necessity and has come to stay
The speaker outlined the economic prog
ress of the negro race, and told of the
need of men and women who are capable
of performing tasks which the position
they make for themselves in life demands.
He told his audience that in the past
twenty years the number of skilled arti-
sans in the colored race had been decreas-
ing, despite the demand which continu-
ally arose. It was condition the negro
race was alone responsible for, and which
it must remedy.
1.-THE present-day life is one of action,
of meeting squarely and of doing those
things which are needed and expected
of one he said. "If an education is not
provided to prepare one to fill these needs
it is a poor education indeed. This is
the one great purpose of the night
schools"
Supt. Stuart gave short history of the
night schools from their beginning to the
which they went before becoming the per-
manent fixture In the public school sys
tenn of today.
..rhe creation Of the night school was
the outgrowth of the thought. What shall
be done for the boys and girls who leave
school between the ages of twelve and
sixteen years." said Mr.. Stuart. I'VE
realized this need was great, it was a
consuming one, an economic as we'll as
a social one. Something had to be done
were compelled to work all day. The
night schools have more than accomplish
ed what was expected of them
More Money Required.
Supt Stuart said the present appropria-
ton of $1,000 for the night schools was
far below their needs, and it was the pur-
pose of those interested in their work to
labor for an increase to at least $4,000
I'VE need it. we must have 1t and we
are going to have It," said Supt. Stuart.
The boys and girls Of the class ! have
just referred to create the necessity. 1t
is our duty. SO far as it lay in our power,
to provide for this necessity"
: DR.. Evans, to whose indefaugable ef-
forts the pronounced success or the ARM
strong Manual Training Schools night
classes is due. presented certificates to
the twenty graduates. to each of whom
he extended his personal congratulations
and hope for success in the chosen oc-
cupation of life. DR.. Evans also deliver
ed an address on the progress and aims Of
the night schools.
At the call of Principal Newman short
talks were delivered by DR.. Evermann.
DR.. Tunnel, p. NJ. Hughes, H. c. Hine,
Mr.. Horner and others.
At the conclusion of the graduating
exercises the teachers of the night class
es assembled in the room of domestic
science and presented DIR. Evans with a
travelling bag. The presentation was
made by j. Moria Saunders. who referred
10 the unselfish labors of DR.. Evans in
behalf of the night schools and the af-
lection in which he is held by his staff
of teachers.
The following Is the list OF graduates:
Clifford l.. Andrews, Percy A. Ray, Alon-
20 Silas Oswald L. Petite Mosas A. Cost
ley, Walter S. Padgett, Mrs Ella f..
Watkins, Ada A. Brown, Carrie ]. Tar
rington, Mrs. Ida B. Simkins, Emma l..
Carroll, Louise M. Ivy, Mrs. Sarah E.
Taylor, Mrs. Anna T. Wright, Mrs., An
ME M. Rhea, Frances B. Luckett, Anna
J.. Purvis. Belle Cunningham, Caledonia
Taylor.