St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1910-07-02
40 YEARS OF UNINTER-
RUPTED USEFULNES
The Occasion ConmemOrated by Jolly
Reunion Of Former Pupils
FROM ALL PARTS OF Ia.
Beautiful Decorations, 4 BOuDisous Feast and
Good Cheer Karksd the
Occasion.

11l5 Op6lOusaS IuS1ILub6 HdS L6-
Gently completed its fortieth session;
and in commemoration of this happy
event. general reunion Of former
pupils, teachers and patrons was
held on June 23rd, 1910.
Elaborate plans had been made for
an open-air celebration in the Lewis
and Bercier park; tables had been
built by kind friends, and the pa
.Yilion beautifully decorated with
Spanish moss, ivy, pot plants. and
beautiful festoons Of the college
colors, crimson, old gold and white.
under the tasteful supervision of
hrs. Leence e. Littell, The expert
enced chairman of the decoration
committee. But the heavy down
pour of rain on the eventful day
made it necessary TO hold the cele-
bration In the old Institute instead,
which really seemed more appropri-
ate, after all.
Former pupils and teachers had
arrived from all parts Of Louisiana
and adjoining states, many being ac-
eompanied by their husbands and
children, whom they proudly pre-
sented to the beloved principal and
their old schoolmates. Happy greet
ings were heard on all sides, as long
separated friends we're reunited for
a few joyous hours. The years with
their responsibilities and cares, their
disappointments and triumphs, their
suferings and joys, fell away like
outgroWn garments, and we were
all girls again with life stretching its
fair vista before our eager feet.
School girlish pranks and forgotten
jokes were laughingly recalled, and
spirit Of mirth prevailed, softened BIZ
tender "reminiscences Of the absent
ones and of those whose voices are
still foreVermore.
4 bounteous feast was served on
the long galleries, and all testified to
their enjoyment Of the delicacies 50
lavishly provided. AT the conclusion
of the dinner, the old school bell
which has done such faithful service
for forty years, summoned every one
into the assembly hall, where Mr..
John w. Lewis, Of 0pelousas, the
master of ceremonies, introduced
Rev. n. w. May, pastor Of the Metho-
dist church Of 0pelousas, who made
an appropriate Invocation.
Flo Iuent addresses were then de-
livered by Mr.. John w. Lewis, Rev.
Stephen +. Reade, formerly Of 0pe-
lousas but now rector of st. Andrews
church, seguin, Texas, and
Mr.. Vim. ]. Sandoz, of Opelousas.
All the speakers reviewed different
phases Of the work accomplished by
the distinguished institution oflearn-
ing during its forty years Of exist
ence. and paid strong tributes to the
devoted principal and the many con-
scientious teachers who have con-
tributed to It's well known success.
As professional duties called Mr..
Lewis away at this point, Rev. Mr..
Reade was asked to serve as master
Of ceremonies; and impromptu toasts
were responded to by Mr.. Leonce &.
littell. Mr.. Benjamin Splane, Mrs.
Leola White Nixon, Mrs. Sadie Neb-
olett Carter, Mrs. Maude Dimmick
Mcdowell, Mrs. Annie Meng Glenn
snts, Mrs. Addie Humble Reade,
Misses Bea Smith, Della Norgress and
several others.
Mrs. Nixon also read an original
ooem on The Comet by Mrs. Kate
White Lyons, Of Crowley, which
,lieited much laughter and applause:
md Miss Efie Littell quite captured
he audience By her very clever and
description of How Rubey I
Played, She received a perfect ova-
ion and was urged to give an encore,
,ut modestly declined.
Miss Della Norgress also proved
lerself a fine eloeutionist By her
lramatic rendition of Willis beauti-
al end pathetic poem. The Leper:0
nd was likewise encored but did not
espond.
Quite a humorous touch was given
ghen some Of the older girls, hapan
o sing the multiplication table as
hey had been taught to do in the
Urinary grades of the 0pelousas In
titute, many years before. The
enerable principal was much amused,
aking the finn in the genial spirit ID
which it was meant.
Mrs. Hayes responded TO all the
owing tributes paid her in very
way, not forgetting the old I
Iupils who were absent or who have
ntered into rest.
Rev. Mr.. Reade then pronounced /
be benediction, after which all re-
aired to the music room, where old
aVorites we're sung.
s generous purse vas presented to
trs. Hayes hy her relatives ard yary
loss friends; and many homes were l
tat She vou Hiive d
rate her golden jubilee Ill 1920.