Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-06-15
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.

The annual commencement exercises OF
Shepherd College State Normal School
were held Monday morning in the pres
ence OF an audience that filled the large
auditorium to the very doors. The pro-
gramme, which was simple but interest
ing, was in charge of Principal Thos. C..
Miller. Aftera piano solo by Miss Mamie
Williams, prayer by Rev. Absalom Knox,
"a Word of Greeting" on behalf of the
graduating class was eloquently spoken
by q. q. Lambert. A vocal duet was
sung by Misses Eta Williams and Maggie
Merrells. The commencement address
was delivered by Prof. ]. c. Muerman,
OF the Bureau of Education, Washington,
who spoke in simple, practical way to
the graduating class concerning the prob
lens that would confront them as teach
ers. The speaker gave interesting sta
tistics in regard to educational affairs in
this and other counties, and used humor-
Gus illustrations to accentuate his points.
His address was full OF good suggestions
and valuable information.
The diplomas to the fifty-eight men,
bers ofthe graduating class, whose names
were published in these columns last
week. were presented by Hon. A. g..
Swiger, OF the State Board of Regents,
who made most pleasing address. He
expressed his admiration OF the splendid
buildings and equipment OF Shepherd
College and promised his influence and
interest to increase the usefulness OF the
institution. "AParting Word" was grace
fully delivered by Miss Augusta Morgan,
Prof. Miller made brief address appro-
pirate to the occasion, and the exercises
ended after piano solo had been rem
dered by Miss Hazel Martin. The grad
yates received the congratulations of their
friends and many gifts of flowers, jewels
and other articles were presented to them
by their well-wishers. Later photo
graph was taken of the class.
The graduating class OF 1916 is much
the largest that has ever been sent out from
Shepherd College, and five States and
about twenty counties OF West Virginia
are represented in it. II is splendid
body OF earnest young men and women
who have done faithful work in the school,
and we predict that number OF them
will be heard from as the years go by and
they develop the talents they possess and
occupy the positions OF usefulness for
which they will be fitted. Shepherd
College and our community may well be
proud of the class of 1916.
Thursday night there was most pleas
ing programme in the auditorium. when
two Shakespearean plays were rendered,
the Juniors presenting "As You Like 1t"
and the Sophomores midsummer Nights
Dream" The young men and young
women who took the several characters
played their parts with spirit and clever
ness, some OF the performers showing
unusual talent. The costumes were ex-
ceedingly handsome, having been secured
from a New York costur1er at consider
able expense, and no performance in this
town. probably, has ever been better
staged or more beautifully costumed. A
great audience was present and every
body was delighted with the plays.
Friday night the Senior Glass presented
Shakespeare's Merchant ofVenice," also
costumed from New York, and this was
likewise excellently played. All OF the
performers acquitted themselves most
creditably, and the presentation was
smooth and effective. Arthur Ruark
played the part of Shylock and Miss Au-
gusta Morgan was very handsome Portia.
Nerissa, her waiting maid, was cleverly
acted by Miss Nettie Huyett, and Miss
Maud Moore, was charming Jessica.
The other parts were all well sustained.
The performers in these plays were
trained by Mrs. Robert Gibson. and it
was evident that she had done most ex-
cellent work in coaching them for their
parts. The receipts were ample to pay
for the elaborate costumes and the other
expenses ofthe cost OF the productions.
The annual contest between the Cic-
eronisn and Parthenian literary societies
was held on Saturday evening, in the
presence OF large and enthusiastic au-
dieuce. The declaimerS were Margaret
A. Appel, p. L. S., who recited 1.-The
Charge of the First Minnesota at Gettys-
burg" and Margaret B. Maddox, c. L. S.,
who recited "Perdita." The question
for debate was, Resolved, That the
United States Should Grant the Phil
ippines Their independence within the
next Four Years." Robert D. Hartman,
P. L. S, upheld the affirmative, and
Charles c. Triplett, c. L. S., the negative.
The essayists were Leora Y. Cunningham,
c. L. S., whose subject was "The Aris-
tocracy OF Service" and Nettie F. Huyett,
P. L. S., whose subject was flames
Rumsey, the Inventor ofthe Steamboat. !"
The orators were John Knox, c. L. S.,
who delivered an Grafton entitled 1.-THE
Safeguard of the Republic" and 0. F.
Hedrick, p l.. S., who spoke on "Pan-
America and an-Americanism." All of
the contestants acquitted themselves most
credltably, and il must have been with
great difficulty that the judges arrived at
their decisions. The judges were Prof.
Wrigh. Denny, principal of the Charles
Town High School, Rev. Stephen l..
Flickiuger, of Shepherdstown, and Prof.
Wachter, of the Martinsburg High School,
the latter announcing the decision. The
winners were Margaret A. Appel, Robert
d. Hartman and John Knox. No decision