The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-06-09
P. H. SIS Biggest Class is
Also One That Has Shown
the Greatest Progress.
LARGE LIST OF
HONOR STUDENTS
Patriotic Appeal is Strong.
Boys and Girls Realize
Their Responsibilities.

! Pcnsacola's most successful school
I year came 10 a close Friday night
when before an assembly that filed
almost every seat in the opera house
/ and was composed of their one-time
schoOlmates, parents, guardians, and
| society generally, thirty-seven boys
| and girls of 2. H. S. received diplo-
mas and twelve medals were awarded.
Biggest Glass.
| IL was not only the biggest class in
| the history of the institution, but il
| is one that has marked the greatest
progress. Not only did fE produce
the first valedictory, but it also pro-
duced the first medal for athletics; 1t
originated the system of student GOV
eminent and established the honor
| system. In athletics it has done more
than any previous class, and schoI-
arship and student activities it has
| likewise struck across new and IN
| accustomed fields. When the seniors
| financed the commencement exercises
! instead of depending on the school
| board, they gave some indication of
! their mettle; and the girls who made
| their own graduating dresses and OF
| their own volitiOn gave up the bon
! quets that are ordinarily carried on
! such occasions, they showed that thnv
too could adapt themselves to cOndi-
! tons. nj hjpeetftes Dreathed patriot
| ism. civic pride, and self reliance. The
| music. consisting of songs and or
chestral selections by the pupils, was
a feature.
A Great Evening.
Before the doors opened large
crowd was outside the opera house,
where the exercises were held, wait
ing to get in and it was all the ush-
ers could do TO show the people to
their seats, so great was the press
and so fast they came, The parquet
and the first balcony we're almost en-
tirelv filled, and a sprinkling was in
the gallery as we'll, The boxes were
decorated with the colors of the class
of 1918.
Bevy of Beauty.
At half past eight the curtain rose,
disclosing a pretty woodland scene
: backed bv roses and surmounted ~
: the American, British, French and
y Italian flags. The twenty-five girls,
beautiful in white, were seated IN a
: semi-circle on the STAGE +he boys, IN
:, blue serge coats and white trousers
q in the second row, and the faculty
O and distinguished visitors in the thirC
s row.
The high school orchestra PLAYED
Poet and Peasant, after which the en-
? tire class rose and sang America
The Rev. J. A. Ansley pronounced thu
invocation. Two more vocal selections
8 by the class followed, DeKoven'
y sprightly Happy Days" and the mill
tant "When the Foeman Bares Hi
Steel" by Sullivan, both of whiC
rs made hits. A pretty seXtette Of girl
" gave a vocal selection.
TX Prof. Armstrong; Address.
III Prof. H. Clay Armstrong was the
a. introduced and delivered the address
: of the evening. After congratulatin
,o the graduates on the honor to whic
- they had attained, he outlined til
needs of the country now at war ar
gave a stirring description of ii
motives and hopes of this country ar
,T told them how they could help the
native land, His address follows:
en- Members of the Graduating Clas
ID other Ladies and Gentlemen:
IN Many other speakers would ha'
Nv given you a more eloquent addTe
IT, and a more inspiring eXhortatlon
IN the great things involved in the d
i ioe ties that are to confront you in t
20 life you are about to enter, but no
iii' could speak to you more sympath'
ically than / do. None shares mo
fully your appreciation Of the impo
m ance Of this occasion. ! have been
w long of the school and for the sch'
,.z+ it has become hard for me to think
.a-. other terms than those Of the pu
are and his aspirations.
I know that this is joyful oc
sion to you. 1t is joyful, too, not
many specifically suppose becal
-SE YOU regard it as leaving behind vol
dreary work and the monotony
yers school life. It IS an occasion Tor
-ry- to celebrate a victory, the accompli
was ment of task that had been set, I
lea that YOU have performed with sa
Ight faction; a task that you know
any been worth the while; and YOUR JOY
the proportioned to the thOroughness "
mill