The Semi-weekly leader., 1922-09-13
OPENING OF A. H. S.
WAS BIC SUCCESS
New Buildings, New Superin-
tendenf and Many New
Students.

A. H.. ~.
Wesson opened yesterday morning
under circumstances more favorable
than at any time in its history. The
groups OF fine looking Boys and girls
on the campus, the handsome new
administration building, the gracious
welcome extended visitors by Super
intendent and Mrs. L. Russell ELL
zey. and the faculty. and the bright
fall weather combined to make the
first impression of visitors delight
full. and the exercises held later in
the auditorium proved ideal for a
school opening.
The speaker of the occasion, Hon.
H. L. Whitfield; the Superintendent.
Mr.. Ellzey; members of the faculty
and board of trustees, occupied the
seats upon the platform.
The pastor of the Wesson Metho-
dist church made a prayer, and ex,
tended an invitation to students to
participate in young peoples activi-
ties of the church.
Miss Arva Byrd, teacher of music
at the A. III. s. for the past three
years, played selection from Chami-
made.
Mr. Ellzey introduced Mr.. Whit
field as one who had given his life TO
the boys and girls of Mississippi,
during years as state superintend-
ent of eduaction, a longer period as
president of the liz c. at Columbus,
now called the Miss. State College
for Women, and several years as SUI
perintendent of the Masonic Boys
home, presented to the Masonic or
der by B. b. Jones. Mr.. Ellzey con-
cluded his introduction by calling
DR.. Whitfield, ''Mississippi's next
governor
DR.. Whitfield, however, kept en-
tirely clear of politics in his address.
He said that he found Wesson a new
town, vastly different from the old
one he used to know, and congratu-
lated all responsible in providing The
fine school. He referred to the prob
lens of his terms as superintendent
of education when he found 80 uer
cent of the boys and girls of the state
attending country schools with short
terms and miserable equipment. The
states chief concern is the bringing
up of the right kind of people-Mis-
sissippi has the best blood in the
world. He discussed the natural re-
sources of the state and the need for
union of theory with practice. The
influence Of home and community
and the necessity for Individual eff
fort and high ideals were set forth.
DR.. Whitfield, or Mr.. Whitfield as he
prefers to be called-gave especial
and extended attention to the young
people of the audience in advising
and inspiring them to set the high
est standards, mental, moral and
physical, for their lives.
Profound attention was paid to
Mr.. Whitfeld's address, and enthus-
iastic applause followed it.
A vocal solo by Miss Margaret
Flowers of the faculty was given
with fine effect.
Mr.. Ellzey gave brief address in
which he stated that two hundred
and forty students were enrolled, and
invited the constructive criticism of
mothers and fathers, and their visits
to the school.
AR. John DecelI of the board of
trustees, expressed appreciation of
Mr.. Whitfield's address stating that
though he had heard Sam Jones and
gypsy smith he had never heard a
better speech.
Messrs. ]. @. Martin, county SUI
perintendent of Copiah, Z. S. Bow
lus, Superintendent of the Brookha-
ven Schools and L. p. May, county
superintendent of Lincoln, spoke
briefly.
. Mrs. D. M. Miller, district chair
man of the Parent Teacher Associa-
ton, spoke, saying that Mr.. Whit
fields address might well serve as
an outline for the work of that
body.
Rev. Holcomb, pastor of the Wes-
son Baptist church, dismissed the au-
dience with prayer.
The magnificent new auditorium.
almost unrivaled in South Mississip-
pi, deserves especial praise. 1t is
part OF the new administration build
ing which contains six more class
rooms than the former one, and, like
the fine brick dormitory built two
years ago, Is the work of Mr.. Eugene
Mccormick, Brookhaven architect.