The Denver star., 1916-07-01

had peculiarly added interest because
of the substitution of the cash prize for
q medal For number of years 3. II.
Warner of Washington has been giving
the medal to be awarded to the stu
dent who delivered the best declama
ton. This year money was substituted
for the medal.
The prizes were given by members Of
the Alumni association and by one of
the teachers. The money offered was
S1I.Jo. being three prizes. the first of
$40. the second of s. and the third of
$50. The first and second prizes were
made up by members of the local alum
nj association-namely Miss Sarah l.
Hunt. Captain b. +. Ammons. Captain
W. 4. Richardson. Captain Victor II.
Daniels and Mr.. Isaac Fisher. presi
dent of the local alumni association
and editor of the Negro Farmer and
Messenger. The third prize of $50 in
gold was given by Mr.. Il. A. Marsden
of the English department.
The commencement sermon was
preached by DIR. C. b. Wilmer. rector.
st. Luke's Episcopal church. Atlanta,
inspiration and courage both for those
who were going out and those who
remained. His address to the senior
class was one of force and point. The
commencement Sunday exercises were
followed by the annual Phelps hall
commencement. held in the institute
chapelo The dean of the department.
Rev. C. Lake lines. with his assistants,
had drilled the students on community
work and social service. the kind of
work which they had been following
throughout the year.
The annual Boston Trinity church
prize speaking contest was held also
in the institute chapel. For this speak
ing two prizes are ofYered-the first
prize of So5 and the second of S15-
given by the Trinity church. Boston.
The contest was between the mem
bers of the A-middle and the members
of the senior class. This year 1cS
students tried out in the first pre-
liminary contest.
Commencement day. Thursday, May
25. began at . o'clock. There was q
little change of custom owing to the
additions TO the program. There We're
trninloads of visitors and friends from
Montgomery and Opelika and other
points in the state and from many of
the cities in the north.
For the first time In the history of
the Tuskcgee institute the two com.
mencement speakers having the high
est honors were children of members
OF the Tuskegee institute faculty. The
salutatorian was Clarissa Mae Scott,
daughter of Emmett J. Scott. the sec
retary of the school. and the valedc to
rian was Charles II. Gibson. Jr.. son of
Charles II. Gibson. Sr.. the chief ac-
countant of the institute. Miss Scotts
subject was "Beautifying the Rural
School Grounds" After welcoming the
visitors and friends and referring in a
touching and graceful way to the alb
sence OF Or. Washington. the youn:
lady announced her theme. She stated
that beautifying the rural school
grounds was vital not only because of
its nttractiveness. hut because It taught
lessons to the community and rendered
the people content where they were.
Az IL the custom at Tuskegee institute
nll the papers except the vnledictory
were Illustrated.
Miss Scott had the orchestra stand
Of the institute converted into land
scnpe-that is. the stand was covered
with q thick layer Of earth Of v0riOus
kinds. Hero she demonstrated BY haA