The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-05-03
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
FESSENDEN ACADEMY

The commencement exercises at
Fessenden Academy took place Thurs
day afternoon, May ]. \ large number
took advantage of the perfect day and
went out from Ocala to witness the
usual interesting program. The Wis
itors were welcomed by Prof. Wiley
and before the time for the exercises
to begin, a tour of inspection was
made to the different departments of
the school The domestic science de
partment was most interesting. The
sewing, fancy and plain, would do jus
tice ito much more experienced hands
that do the work and charge enormous
prices for it. The cooking display
made one hungrey to look at. The
teacher in the cooking department has
been with the school for, three years
and many hOusekeepers are anxious to
secure the services of her pupils. The
rooms are macuIate-cleanliness is a
watchword for Fessenden.
Next was the Industrial department.
Machinery and implements of all de-
scriptions were there; a dump cart
just like one could buy from McIver x
MacKay, and as well made. wheeIbar-
rows, and other useful farm imple-
ments. There was a ladies' writing
=
One piece of furniture deserves spe-
cial MENTION small table or stand
with a shelf underneath. The top can
be tilted back on hinges and it will be
converted into a cozy hall bench, the
top making the back and the shelf the
seat. Prof Wiley says that it was de-
signed in the workroom by himself
and the other instructors. All the
pieces of furniture are highly polished
and are nice enough for any room.
The laundry is another place that is
a revelation to many who do not know
how Fessenden conducts everything on
a perfect basis.
| The program which was given in the
auditorium was greatly appreciated by
| a large crowd of the friends and pat
| rons of the school and several ears of
| visitors who went out from town. The
| music was excellent and the singing
did full justice to the instructor. There
| were some fine voices among the sing
( ers, and and if they could only have
the necessary training, they would be-
come noted.
The orations were we'll delivered and
| the themes were interesting and pre-
| sented some good, sound, logical facts.
Mr.. G. Y. Miller of Ocala offered
| twenty-five dollars in prizes to be Civ
en- to those receiving the highest marks
i'll the different grades and depart
ments. The winner of the prize in the
graduating class for the best Grafton
was Letha Wiley, Prof Wiley's daugh-
ter, whose subject was civilization" "
Another grafton by Vince Johnson
subject, observance of Little Things
was a close second. There were four
| in the class.
Rev. James G. Merrill, ex-president
of Fisk University, Nashville. Tenn
delivered the commencement address
Prof. Wiley is a graduate of Fisk Uni
versity.
Superintendent Brinson awarded the
diplomas and Mr.. w. D. earn gave the
prizes. \ nice Bible was given to the
one who made the highest mark in the
Bible class. Rev James, a noted coIored
preacher, made the presentation speech
and said that one of the questions Civ
en- was to name all the books of the Old
iTestament. The answer was correct
and all the names were correctly. spell
| ed.
After the exercises the visitors finish
| ed the sight seeing about the grounds
before returning to their homes Those
| who went from OcaIa were Prof. and
Mrs. J. H. Br'nson, Mr.. and Mrs w D
earn and daughter Irene. Mrs Mae
Bingham. Mr.. and Mrs. John L Ed
wards. Miss Mamie Sheppard, Mrs viii
Edwards, Mr.. W. W. C1yatt Mr. Frank
Harris, Mr.. Harvey Clark and Mr. J. D
| Rooney. Mr.. c. II. Shaw of Zuber was
also present
Fessenden Academy deserves all
praise and credit for the good work
that has been done for the colored peo-
pie, by Prof. Wiley. the Booker Wash
! RgtOn of Florida