The daily times., 1921-05-28
GRADED SCHOOL FINALS
HELD LAST NIGHT.


The Wilson Graded schools held
their commencement exercises last
might at the high school auditorium
the principal events being an address
by Prof. Frank P. Graham of the
University of North Carolina, and
the awarding of diplomas to the
twenty two graduates of the high
school.
Interesting features were violin
solos by Mr. Ed. Stallings and music
by the high school chorus club. This
club has been recently under the
direction of Miss Mary E. FELTON, and
is credit to her. The audience was
delighted with the music.
Preceding the regular program
Miss Warren at the piano rendered
several numbers. The High school
chorus opened the program proper
with the Soldiers Chorus from Faust.
Rev. F.. S. Love pronounced the in
vocation. Mr.. Ed Stallings gave
violin number, Liebesfreud by Kreis-
Ter.
Mr.. J. S. Bryan introduced the
speaker of the evening, Mr.. Graham.
He said Mr.. Graham's life had been
one of consistent service, life conse-
Grated to the service of the youth
OF North Carolina.
Mr.. Graham's speech was marked
by it's brevity and by its condensity.
Every sentence was charged with
meaning, not an idle word was used.
Mr.. Graham said that in many re-
spects the schools of Wilson are uni
que, the county public school organ
the 10 consolidated schools,
7the 80 trucks, the all time education
-al director, the track meet. This
school is one of $500 in the State. !
These high school pupils are part of
the $4,000 in the State; these school
children are part of the 832, 900 in
North Carolina. And these children
are the chief hope of the State. The
public schools draw no line of wealth, |
they democratize America, they re-
new the traditions of the country.
The speaker congratulated Mr.
Coon, Mr.. Bryan, the members of the
Parent7Teacher Association, and the
ROtzry Club on the progress made by
the local schools and the high stand
ard observed.
This is one of the links. and a
strong link, in the chain of schools
that bind the $4,000. The schools
are the common denominator that
holds us all together. Out of these
came those who flooded the gates of
our colleges every fall. They are both
our glory and our problem. The
high schools turn out the boys and
girls faster than the colleges can as
simulate them. The young people who
crowd the colleges are meeting the
crowded conditions with spirit of
good sportsmanship. The spirit of
sIrlIe which had been noticeable in
colleges all over the nation was lack
ing in our colleges, the young people
meeting the congestion with smile.
We must think of the $4,000 now in
the high schools and the manv who
may have the doors closed to them.
North Carolina is the first in the
manufac Alre of tobacco, the second
IN textile, second in furniture, eighth
IN the payment of income tax. sixth
from the top in the value of farm
lands, and second from the bottom
in public education.
We are in the midst of a spiritual
TeValuation. Youth is inspired to
higher things. The men of Wilson
were among those who broke the
Hindenburg line. They will not fall
back now before the challenge of the
crowded school room. The Son of
Man was less concerned about the
temple of Jerusalem than the abund-
ance of the crowded Youth. The Son
or Man would say Suffer the Youth
TO come unto the colleges for of
such is the kingdom of tomorrow.
The facts and problems of the old
world confront America today with
billions gone and many people left
hungry. These lay on the world. a
mighty obligation. America has an
opportunity for reconstruction of the
old world. Our youth must meet the
old worlds deficit of youth. $