Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1919-06-05
INTERESTING EXERCISES CON.
CLUDE SUCCESSFUL SES.
SION OF CHERAW
HIGH SCHOOL.

May 30th in the presence of very
large audience. The program was
very attractive and greatly enjoyed
by everyone. The graduating class
consisted OF seven Young ladies and
four young men. This has been one
OF the most successful sessions in
the history of the school. Despite
the Interruptions on account OF the
epidemic of influenza and some minor
draw backs the progress OF the pu-
pills has been most satisfactory. The
greatest harmony has existed among
the teaching corps. The standard of
the school is being steadily raised.
In the high school 1872 units has been
attained.
The music department has done
splendid work this &ession. Miss
Long, (the music teacher) is to be
congratulated on the progress OF her
pupils.
Cheraw Is most fortunate in hav-
ing secured Mr.. Merchant as super
intendent of her schools. He has the
school system splendidly organized.
The enrolment this year exceeds
the past, there being enr6'!ed this
session 467 pupils, an increase OF ll6
over any previous year.
Following was the program pre-
sented:
Invocation by Rev. A. H. HIcArn.
commencement March," chorus
by high school girls.
Miss Eleanor Gainey delivered the
Salutatory, as follows:
With a great deal of pleasure, and
with some degree of laudable pride,
we welcome you this evening. Your
presence is a token Of your interest
In the members Of this graduating
class in particular, and in all the pu-
pills of this school in general. We
feel sure that you are here not to be
entertained, but to encourage us
with your presence, and the pleasure
Is all ours. We are proud that the
citizens of this community have CIV
en- us the privilege of at least at
tempting to add something to the
sum-total Of good that comes to the
community. My class mates, and my
school mates, too, from the little first
grade tots up to those who are eag-
erly waiting to take our places in the
eleventh grade, all join me in extend
ing to you a most hearty welcome.
We are delighted that you are here.
For eleven long years our feet have
trod the paths that converge at the
front door of this building. Some
times with eagerness and much JOY
we trod them; but many times, Alas!
when we were conscious Of slovenly
preparation for the tasks that awaited
us, we trod them with reluctant feet.
1t is safe to say that while We were
running back and forth along these
paths our minds have been busy Wit
other things than our school-house
tasks. Many a castle has arisen IN
the air only to give place to others
as they have been built Of fancy
prompted by desire or ambition; and
who will say they were built IL vain,
even IL they were demolished some
times rudely? 1t is better to have
built and lost than lie 'er 20 have
built at all. And we are not through
building yet. Some of us, have some
splendid castles wrought out OF the
warp and woof of our own ambitions,
standing yQnder in the air Just before
us--May ! be SeYTnitted te-
desire that | believe will find a cor
responding desire in the heart OF
every member Of this audience? May
every high ideal wrought into the ar
chitecture OF these castles in the air
find permanent place in the charac-
ter-building being wrought out by
each Of US.
During these years that seemed so
long as we looked forward to the end,
but now seem SO short as we look
back to the beginning, we have been
either consciously or unconsciously
seeking after something of great mo-
nent. FaitEfnl. and sometimes long
suffering teachers have very con-
sciouSly labomed to bring us to that
after which we were seeking. And
for their encouragement today let me
say that may be they succeeded bet
ter than they thought. Whether much
or little, we ale what we are because
of thc,n. Along this way that We have
trod together there have been many
days of depressed hopes, and some
times the star that guided us grew
dim and we almost deserted ii. But
today, spurled by the zest of this oc-
casion, aud encouraged by the prog
ress we Elve made, We are resolved
to follow after learning, and with it
all the good that may come to us
thereby, with a Steadier step and
moIe perfect aim than ever before.
We realize that we have not come
to the real end, but to the true be-
ginning of progress along the line
OF education. "A little learning is a
dangerous thing" AS we stand be-
fore you on this, to us, auspicious oc-
casion our castles rise higher and be-
come bigger and broader, the archi-
lecture is grander and more perfect,
and we are resolved to strive after
still better things.
Many a time our tasks have been
poorely done and our records have
been correspondingly poor These
appear TO us as dark spots on the
pages of the history we have been
making. But every day brings TO
each of us new unwrit page: as
never before we are resolved that no
blots shall mar the pages that turn
as the days come and come again.
You have confidence in us because
we have not yet destroyed that con-
fidence by the desertion of our tasks
or by deeds of dishonor. That conf
dence on your part stands between us
and failure. We are ambitious to
justify that confidence. You~ :oprs
for us are high; your interest in us
is great; your good wishes for us are
sincere. We ale grateful for thG'
confidence, for your interest. In
good wishes we are lavish. For