The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-05-31
FIRST NIGHT OF HIGH SCHOOL
COMMENCEMENT PASSES
SUCCESSFULLY.
Friends of City Schools Gather in
Academy OF Music i'm Attendance
upon Exercises-Stephen Shore
Wins Medal for Drill-Miss LiIIy
Gregg and Furman Herbert Suc.
cessful Competitors for Strauss
Medals-Miss Gregg also Wins
Glenn Medal
From the Daily Item, Nav 90.

The first night of the High School
commencement exercises passed off
most successfully. AS usual at these
exercises the Academy of Music was
hlled by friends Of the schools and
graduates who had gathered
from all parts of the county to see
the fOrty-four young men and ladies
take the next to the last step in the
consummation of their school work.
The exercises on the first night OF
commencement have for many years
been turned over chiefly to the bows
! OF the High School and the main Dor
ton of the entertainment of their
friends was given over to them We'd
nesday evening. The drill and de-
claimer's contest being the principal
features of interest.
1t was most beautiful and inspir-
ing sight to see so many bows and
girls gathered from the High School.
the pride of many parents and of the
city of Sumter. The sixteen young
ladies OF the class were seated in a
semi-circle in front of other pupils
OF the High School, resplendent in
their beautiful commencement gowns.
The stage had been decorated with
green for the occasion.
The exercises were opened by an
invocation by the Rev. j. p. Marion.
The next feature was the drill in
the manual of arms, one of the hard
est drills which has ever been seen
on the Sumter stage Finally the,
judges made their decision and the
medal was presenterd by the Rev. ].
r. Marion to Stephen Shore of the
graduating class as the best drilled
man in the manual of arms.
7 Mr.. George ID. Levy announced the
winners of the Strauss medals for
ready writing. Miss Lilly Gregg and
f'urman Herbert were the winners.
In presenting the medals Mr. Levy
made statement of the conditions
the students being given a limited
time in which to write a theme on
! some subject selected for them. This
year the subject had been: "Our ideals
and Ambitions" Mr.. Levy also an
nounccd the winner of the Glenn
medal for spelling, Miss Lilly Gregg
! being the winner, was presented the
medal.
| The defamation contest came next.
lhere were eight of the young ora
tors, all of whom delivered their
declamations with precision and ex-
cellence, the enunciation of all being
exceptionally good. The decision of
the judges will be announced at the
exercises tonight, when a medal will
be awarded to the best declaimer.
The de olaimers and their speeches
were:
Regulus to the Carthaginians-Car-
rol Simpson.
Nathan Hale, the Martyr Spy-var-
dele Walsh.
Robert e. Lee-Archr Wilder.
The Conquerors-Cyril Schwartz.
Ole Bulls Christmas Story-James
Brewer.
Righteous Government - Arnold
Klein.
Emmett's Defense-Robert Nc
Kay.
Our Reunited Country-Furman
Herbert.
CAS- Furman Herbert won the medal
for defamation at the state High
School Oratorical meet, he was not a
competitor in this contest)
At intervals between other features
Of the programme selections were
rendered by the Sumter Band, which
was heartily applauded after each
selection
Supt. Edmunds near the close of
the exercises took the occasion to
thank those present for their attend
ance during the evening and to ask
their attendance again Thursday
night. He also cOmplmented the
ban on its music and the city for
| having such an organization, saying
that the people could now see that the
band was necessary to the city.
The exercises will be concluded to-
night. when fortyfour young ladies
and boys will receive their diplomas