The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-03-23
High School Opening.

/ We're we given to scolding people or de-
livering lectures to our readers through
the editorial columns of our paper, we
would certainly take our people to task,
especially the mothers of our school chill
dren for not making an extra effort and
attending the very interesting opening ex-
c~rciscs held in the assembly hall OF the
beautiful new high school building at 10
o'clock last Monday morning. We mention
the mothers especially, for we could not
help seeing on yesterday that another kind
Of opening did prove most attractive to our
ladies, young and old, great and small, and
extra early efforts must have been made
in many q household in order that the
housekeepers might go early and stay late,
%thronging the millinery stores from front
to back during the greater parto OF the day.
If we wished to moralize a little, this
question might be pertinent, Are the
things that interest the children, that tend
t, uplifting them mentally, socially, NOR
ally, of less Importance in the eyes OF their
mothers than the lovely creations of the
milliner's art? But we are not going to
lecture any one-certainly not the mothers,
and let the fathers go free-for not attend
ing the first exercises in the new building.
Perhaps the children did not urge upon
their parents the acceptance of the cordial
invitation which the superintendent, MIR.
Dick, had sent to them by the pupils.
At any rate, some mothers and fathers,
some older sisters of the pupils were there,
as were some others who felt interest
enough in the school to give the encour-
agement to the teachers and pupils which
their presence certainly afforded.
lis not too much to say, we feel sure,
that all these enjoyed the occasion and
went away more interested in the work our
schools are trying to do than ever before.
At 10 o'clock the signal was given and
the pupils marched from the different
class-rooms into the assembly hall to the
stirring strains of q beautiful march skill
fully played on the piano by Miss Blanche
Gary.
After Superintendent Dick had read a Sc
lection from scripture and the school had
risen and repeated the Lords prayer In
concert, America was sung by the school.
Then Hon. Frank B. Gary was called on
representative Of the Board Of Trustees
for a talk to the pupils. Mr.. Gary re-
sponded, and his speech, filled as it was
with lofty sentiment expressed in chaste,
eloquent language, was greatly enjoyed by
his hearers who could have wished it were
much longer.
DR.. C. C. Gambrell, n Of the most &C
tive, interested members Of the school
board was then called on, and he made a
splendid talk, short and TO the point, urg-
ing the pupils to show an active, intelligent
interest in identifying and keeping the
school grounds properly. This advice came
most appropriately on the heels OF that
given by Mr.. Gary as to keeping the build
ing and furniture as they should be kept.
DR.. P. B. Speed, one Of the former trus-
tees, and enc who for years gave unstint-
ingly of his valuable time and best thought
to the proper conduct and npbuilding OF
our schools, was present and enjoyed an
occasion which, in a large measure, was
rendered possible by his interest and ac-
tivitYtl>the matter of erecting a suitable
bdilding for the higher grades Of our
school.
After another song by the school, Miss
Gary played a march and the classes
marched to their respective rooms, the au-
dience having been invited by Mr.. Dick to
remain and be shown over the building.