Goldsboro weekly argus., 1915-04-15
WAyNE'S GREATEST
COUNTY COMMENCEMENT
"A REVIEW OF THE EVENTS OF THE
MOST NOTABLE DAY IN ALL
GOLDSBORO'S EXPERT.
ENCE.

Wayne is the pioneer county in the
matter of having an annual County
Commencement and Educational Rally
in which all the people take part
and become enthused, it having initi-
ated the movement in 1910, under the
inspiration of Mr.. E. T. Atkinson, our
very excellent County Supertntend-
ent of Public Education; but never be-
fore has even Wayne County seen so
large and so successful a commence
ment as the one that charmed this
town inexpressibly yesterday.
Beginning Thursday at noon, for that
evenings opening program, the people
focked in-pupils, teachers, patrons,
and friends, until by an early hour
yesterday they were here in multi
tudes.
The people of the town opened their
hearts and homes to welcome them,
and never has day here been marked
with more joyful enthusiasm or with
greater evidence of past achievement
and hopeful prospect in Public Educa-
tion.
Practically every school sent stu
dent representatives to enter some OF
the several contests, and every town
ship was represented by crowds, 1t
being a matter of rivalry among the
townships to see which can show the
largest number present in the parade
at the County Seat on County Com
mencement day and win the County
Prize Banner-a beautiful blue silk
and gold banner-for the year-given
MI n ~
merce.
On this occasion Fork township had
nearly four hundred in line when the
parade started, which was the largest
number present from any one town
ship, and Fork, therefore, won the
banner for the year, and bore 1t in the
big parade-at the head of the pro-
cession, and will hold 1t until some
other township at County Commence
ment wins it away from Fork.
The program was broad and varied
enough to elicit the interest Of every
man, woman, and child in the county.
There were exhibits from the diff
ferent schools, showing the remark
able skill of Wayne's younger genera
ton in books, in mechanics, and In the
best and second best exhibits in the
Primary, Grammar, and High Scnool
grades, and these prizes were award
ed as follows:
First prize in Primary grades and
second prize in Grammar grades
Rosewood School.
First prize in Grammar grades and
second prize in High School grades
Pikevi1le School.
First prize in High School grades
and second prize in primary-SeVen
Springs School.
There we're track athletic events In
the morning in which Pikeville School
excelled and won away from Colds
boro, that has held 1t two years the
beautiful silver loving cup, given by
the Wayne County University Alumni
Association and is awarded to thai
school that scores the greatest mum
ber of points:
At the conclusion of the track
events, a picnic dinner was served al
Herman Park, and it was a Verltapif
feast. The Chamber of Commerce ant
the patriotic citizens of Goldsbore fur
nished two thousand pounds OF bar
becue and bread to cover it for the din
ner, and the good women of countr!
and town did the rest, and such al
open air feast has never before heel
witnessed in these parts.
The Court House was thronged yes
terday afternoon to witness the Gram
mar School contest in Defamation
There were twelve participants rel re
renting every section Of Wayne county
The boys all acquitted themselves vel
and showed the result of careful train
ing and hard work. The judges
Messrs. Wilkins, Dees and Thompson
awarded first honor to Master Henr
Edwards of Woodland School; secon
honor to Master Leon Becton, Of Blu
reka School.
The medals were conferred by Sup
Huntington, in the name Of the Count
Board of Education.
In the High School auditorium YET
terday afternoon the opening excl
cises were very impressive, and th
splendid address by SuperintendeI
Atkinson was followed by the preseI
tation of diplomas to forty-one yeun
ladies and young men Of the county
Grammar schools, by Col. JOS. q. Rel
inson, Chairman of the County B0al
of Education,
In the High School Auditorium
the same hour In the afternoon W,