The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-05-14
High School Day.
Schools Observed Memorial Day
by Exercises Held in School
Auditorium


set aside by the State Of South Caro-
Ina as memorial day was observed
very fittingly by the Sumter High
school in the carrying out of their
high school day program.
The ceremonies were held in the
auditorium Of the Girls high school
beginning at 1880 o'clock in the
morning. The high school battalion,
dressed in their school uniforms OF
blue coats, white trousers and caps,
marched from the Calhoun school to
the school green where the four
companies stood in battalion for.na-
ltion and at present arms while GOV.
r. Il. Cooper il: company with j. f.
Swearingen, state superintendent OF
le6Ecatlon, 3. l. Parkinson, state nigh
school inspector; H. G.. OSteen, chair
man Sumter county board OF educa-
tion: Dr. j. A. Mood, chairman of
the city board; ]. H. Haynsworth,
Superintendent; c. S. Hutchinson,
traant officer and DR.. S. H. Edmunds,
walked up the school steps and into
the building, taking their places
upon the rostrum of the school audi
| torium.
The high school students, both girls
and boys, then marched by single file
| into the auditorium in perfect time
and order and quickly filled the seats
of the auditorium. The exercises
were opened with the scriptural read
| ing by DR.. S. H. Edmunds, who pre-
sided over the ceremonies. The aud
ience then stood and the Lords pray
er was repeated in unison. A school
song was sung by the girls under the
leadership of Miss Truitt, who had
full charge Of the splendid musical
program, after this song the hymn
Come Thou Almighty King was
sung by the entire audience. This
hymn was followed by Unfold Ye
Portals and Dixie" which was en-
Enthusiastically sung by the school
audience.
Dr. S. H. Edmunds made a short
Introductory speech in which he eX-
pressed his pleasure in the presence
Of the distinguished visitors He stat
ed that he had spoken to DR.. j. A.
Mood, chairman Of the city board OF
education, expressing wonder OF
just what other community would
dare to invite to inspect its schools,
the entire executive force Of the
school system and to have them pres
ent in body on one particular day.
Dr. Moods answer was that he did
not know Of any other school for
which the entire executive force
would accept such an invitation. DR..
Edmunds introduced Governor Coop
er, State superintendent Of Education
J. E. Swearingen, and High School
Inspector B. l. Parkinson, to high
school audience by causing the stu
dents to stand as a token Of welcome
as he presented each of these dlstln-
guished gentlemen.
The first speaker was Gov. Cooper,
who referred to memorial day, en-
phasizing the work of the schools
in connection with the duty |, l..e
memory Of the men Of the '60s.
particularly impressive statement was
made by the speaker. 1t was that
mo person or community can ever be
made poorer by the spending Of mon
ey upon it's schools" This was the
statement Of which Gov. Cooper ex-
pressed the des re that it be remem-
bered should all else that he had said
be forgotten. He showed that all
money spent on schools was an inter-
est paying investment.
Mr.. Swearingen highly compli-
mented the Sumter schools and its
superintendent and made an earnest
and appealing talk upon education.
The address by Mr.. Parkinson was
10
to the boys and girls, giving them IN
a most pleasing manner good advice
which should be followed by them as
students. He complimented the Sum-
ter school system and made especial
mention of the beautiful music which
he had so delightfully."- listened to.
At the conclusion Of the exercises
DR.. Edmunds called the roll of the
former high school boys who had lost
their lives in the world war, while
his audience stood in silence, and
the students sang the Lords prayer.
A special feature Of the exercises
was the musical program which con-
sisted of many and varied selections
sung by all the boys and girls ac-
companied by the high school or
cheStra.
Governor Cooper, Mr.. Swearingen,
Mr.. Parkinson, DR.. Edmunds, mem
bers of city board of education, mem
bers Of the city council, and the mem
bers of the county board of education
were all the guests Of the domestic
science department Of the high school
at a luncheon whica was served IN
the school dining room, by the girls
of the 4th year high school.
| After the luncheon. the honoreo
guests were entertained by an auto
mobile ride about the city and to va
rious places of interest Gnt.i the af-
ternoon exercises which were held on
the school grounds.
ReSOiutiOnS of Coincidence.