Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1926-05-13
CLOSING EXERCISES
AT STATE NORMAL
DR.. J. c. Roper Delivered Address;
Large Number Receive Diplomas;
Summer Term Begins June

The closing exercises of the Appa-
lachian State Normal were held on
May 5 and 6. On the evening of the
5th the high school senior class gave
play to an overflowing house, and
few plays of this nature have been
more generally enjoyed. The pro-
ceeds from the play, approximately
1925, will go to the student loan
fund.
Thursday morning at 10 o'clock the
graduating exercises for the senior
class of the Normal were given, and
it is only fair to say were among the
very best of the kind the Normal has
had at any time. Each one taking
part had their parts ready at the
moment and everything was well ar
ranged and the best of its kind. The
motto of the seniors displayed on the
stage was one of fine and hopeful
spirit: "Climb, tho the rocks be rug
ged." This is indeed in very large
sence typical Of the class spirit.
Following the presentation of di-
plomas and certificates, President
Dougherty introduced DR.. j. C. Roper,
pastor of the First Baptist church of
Johnson City, Tenn, who delivered
the annual address on the subject,
''The Unconquerable Soul DR..
Roper spoke in most impressive
manner and gave the class and others
many important things to consider.
High School
The high school senior class gave
very creditable exercise on Thurs
day afternoon. The mascot, little
Mary Doris Wright, entering first,
took her seat in the center of the
stage in lovely pink and white
chair. The color note of pink was
further carried out in the girls flow
ers, pink carnations, class flower, and
lovely centerpiece of these present
ed to the class by their English teach
er, Mrs. j. A. Williams Pink candles
and apple blossoms completed the
scheme of decoration.
After the invocation, the class pres
ident, Howard Kluttz, made a fine
opening address with welcome and
forward look combined Then the
class history as log book of ships
voyage, by Brantley Duncan, in sailor
costume, reminded the audience of
of the seniors for the past months.
The class orator, Herbert Estep, won
great applause for fine oration or
"The Downward Traits of the Pres
ent Day."
The will, written by Una Corpening
and read by Alma Barnes, left many
precious legacies to teachers, Juniors
and others.
The prophecy was unique in that
the prophet, Arthur RUPEE, securing
peculiar machine from Ola Dotson,
found himself in possession of the
secrets of the future of his classmates.
After much grinding and sputtering
of the machine, the future of each
came from the hopper on pink card.
The cards were kept for souvenirs.
James Strader, wizard of statistics
and superlatives, was himself voted
best all-round althelete of '26.
The valedictory was by Katrina
Walsh, of Purlear, who had spent her
entire four years of high school work
here. She paid a splendid tribute to
the president of the school.
After presentation of diplomas the
class song concluded the program
Thus closed the best commence
ment Of decidedly the best year the
Normal has ever had, the enrolment
reaching nearly 500 and the spirit of
the student body being of very
high character.
The summer school will open on
June 1st