The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-14
GRADUATES GET
THEIR DIPLOMAS
CLOSING EXERCISES OF HIGH
SCHOOL ARE HELD IN CITY
AUDITORIUM.
LARGE HALL CROWDED
MISS HAWKINS READS BRILLIANT
ESSAY AND MISS JOHNSON
DELIVERS EXCELLENT
RECITATION.
LARGE HALL CROWDED

Nearly 1900 people, it is estimated,
most Of them fathers and mothers and
sisters and brothers of the members OF
the graduating class of the John Mar
shall high school, attended Il, COM
mencement exercises in the City audi
forum last night.
The vast building, hung over with
! electric lights. presented gorgeous
appearance. On high dais in the
back of the stage sat the chorus OF
young ladies of the high school, all
dressed In white. with rainbow co!o-ed
ribbons in their hair, and in the front
sat the members of The graduating
class surrounded by the members OF
the school board.
Around the feotlghts were banked
thousa nds of roses and other flowers,
lending picturesqneness to scene that
already was more than beautiful.
Though admission, except TO the ru-
pills. was by ticket. the great building
was almost filed, with the gallery
packed to Its furthermost corner.
Graduates Enter.
At the entrance of the graduates.
who came IN from the north door by
single lie, the house cheered and clap
citation in smiles. Professor j c.
HARDWOOD. principal addressed few.
brief opening remarks 10 the audi
ence, telling of the work done III me
&c ssion Just finished and whas was
contemplated for the future.
The program was interspel 5ed with
music, the numbers being especial
| ly pleasing and attractive to an audi
ence which was wholly sympathetc
and appreciative. The first number
by the chorus was "Rubenstein
Welcome Sweet Summer" and the
summer sweetness was clearly ap-
parent In the swell OF the music.
Miss Teresa Louisa Johnson deliv-
cred an excellent recitation with
/ violin accompaniment, entitled Or
pheus and Eurydice,"
The chorus sang Annie Laurie
and ..The Lass With the Delicate
Air" with telling effect, the first ap-
! peaiing to all.
Miss Hawkins is Essayisf.
! Miss Blanche r, Hawkins read a
/ brilliant essay. filled with the concise
/ fact and showing much thought IN
! it's preparation. on The Democracy
| OF the High school," which she COM
nared 10 the mixing bowl or the ma
| tions
The principal address Of the even
| ing was delivered by h. HutSon nus
sell president Of the State Normal
! school AT Fredericksburg, former
! cIassnate of Principal Harwood and
| graduate of the old high school re
| vas at once both entertaining and IN
struetive. and he left something fot
! the graduates TO think over. He toic
| them that service to God, country
! and ones neighbor should be the uih-
| mate aim of education, and that ser
1 vice could be given only by the de-
I vclopment OF character. The more
| ONE gives. he said In effect, the more
| one receives and the higher one rises
! in the affairs OF the world and OF ms
! time. He entreated them 10 he IN
! sympathy with progress and TO lend
! themselves to everything which works
| for good. His address was a fine sam
| pie o. sage advice and generous un~
| derstanding.
Deliver Diplomas.
Again the chorus sang, the num-
| bers being Cast Thy Burden Upon
| the Lord" and Home to Our Noun
tains."
Charles Hutzler. chairman OF the
city school board, Delivered the
diplomas TO the graduates, and as
each one stepped forward to receive
the important piece of sheepskln
mothers. fathers and everybody else
cheered themselves hoarse. The
chorus followed with the Farewell
to Summer" and then Principal Har-
wood awarded the scholarships.
The evenings exercises were closed
with the singing of America IN
which audience and chorus Joined,
and the volume of the national
hymn swelled out to the streets and
was Joined in by those who stood
upOn the outside.