The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-04

sumter High Schools received their
diplomas at the hands Of Supt. Ed
munds Thursday night, marking the
close OF one of the many successful
years OF work of the city schools.
The class which graduated from
the high schools Thursday night was
not the largest which has ever been
turned out OF its doors equipped for
the responsibilities Of college or busi-
ness life, but IL was one of the largest
and was a class that any city Of sum-
ter's size. or a city of many times
Sumter's size might we'll be proud of.
The class numbered forty-four, be-
ing the third largest class which has
ever graduated from the high schools.
In the class there were twenty three
graduates TO. con. olete the full Latin
French. or Classical course and TO re-
ceive In addition TO the diplomas from
the city schools a diploma from the
state High School Board for COM
pleting the fourteen and three-quarter
units OF work. Among this number
were three boys. Robert Mckay, Will
liam Bowman and Clarence Hayns-
worth. who had taken two full years
In Greek and done fifteen and three
quarter units of work, who received
diplomas admitting them to any col
lege In the south without examina-
tion.
Twelve OF the other graduates re-
ceived diplomas for completing the
ful, high schol course with the ex-
ception of Latin and Greek and nine
completed the English Commercial
course.
The exercises were extremely in
teresting from start to finish. The
audience was one OF the largest which
has ever gathered in the Academy of
Music at the closing exercises OF the
city schools and was most attentive.
While the theatre was not nearly
large enough to conveniently hold
all who came for the exercises, the
fact and moved about very little, and
silently when IL was necessary to
move, and was most courteous and
appreciative Of the efforts OF the pu-
pills fthe schools and those who de-
hvered the medals. The talks made
by the gentlemen in delivering the
medals were all i'm most excellent
taste. They were short, to the point
and interesting.
One OF the features near the close
OF the exercise was an address by Su-
perinendent $. III. Edmunds. He
stated that as departure from the
usual mode Of procedure ne would
give some facts concerning the grad
naung class. He then proceeded to
read some very interesting statistics
concerning members Of the class.
which his audience listened to with
attention.
The speaker took occasion TO COM
'piiment the audience and the city for
It's loyalty TO It's schools end the
thst several casts and pictures had
beth given the Hampton School dur
ing the year by gentleen OF the city.
intimating that similar gifts from
others would be appreciated. He
stated that he would again call at
tention To three things which ne had
emphasized with good effect at the
iast commencement and which no
doubt would again prove OF value. lie
called upon the pupils TO do their
BEST work while in school because of
'ne pleasure 1t would give their pa I
rents; he asked the parents To afford
th@ir children every opportunity pos
siole for extending their education
hnd asked the students who attended
college to take advantage and make
the most OF the opportunities which
their parents had given them.
Then using as his text tho class
motto. labor omnia vincit." Prof. Ed.
munds made his audience feel "the
victorious power OF work" lie spok.
Tor several minutes and was listened
10 with the most profound atten-
tlon.
The exercises began with an invo-
eation' followed by song by the
school The exercises were most ex-
centllently rendered and were ex-
tremely interesting. The singing was
OF n high order and was heartily
cheered. The youg ladies Of the grad
uating class showed marked ability I
In their essays. which were very an :
propriate and very distinctlvely and