The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-05-05
40 Graduates
ReceiVeiH.S S.
DiplOnnaSHere
Sureness of Attitude Toward Life One Of New Objec.
tives in Education Graduates Told by Hon. D. G.
Brummitt; Tenth Grade Wins Scholarship Cup;
Parker Voted Best AIl-Round Senior

The Hon. Dennis G. Brummitt
attorney general of North Caro-
lima, told 40 high school gradu
ates and large audience at an
nual commencement exercises last
night that he wants to see better
support of the North Carolina
schools commensurate with the
needs of education and equal to
the tasks of the new world.
Twenty-Five boys and "a girls
received diplomas from Supt. F.
M. Waters, who gave public rec
ognition also to large group of
pupils for excellency in scholar.
ship and to Mrs. ]. C. Morrow,
Mrs. Bruce Drysdale. Miss Mary
Brooks and Miss Kate Dotson for
assistance given the school in in
structionar and other capacities.
A larger percentage of failures
than usual was attributed by Su-
perintendent Waters to the re-
duction of the teaching staff,
shortage of equipment and the
briefness of the school term, and
he thanked patrons and others for
their cooperation and under
standing.
The scholarship cup, presented
annually, was received by Ger
trude English, president of the
tenth grade home room, on behalf
of that grade, and in an election
held by the high school graduates
following the exercises, Donald
Parker was voted to be the best
all-round senior. Dorothy Kelly
was the runner-up.
The commencement program
included the singing of America,
directed by Mrs. Morrow; invoca-
ton, Rev. L. T. Wilds; Music
Club chorus, peasants Wedding
March," directed by Mrs. Michael
Schenck; address by Mr.. Brum-
mitt; presentation of diplomas,
Superintendent Waters; song by
audience, and benediction by the
Rev. James P. Burke. The audi
forum was filled and closest at
tention was paid to Mr.. Brum-
mitt's address.
1t was to the new detectives of
education that the speaker devot-
ed most of his address, the two
principal ones discussed being the
right use of leisure time and the
building up of some sureness of
attitude toward modern life.
Admitting that economy has
been necessary in the operation
of schools, as we'll as in other pri-
vate and governmental functions,
Mr.. Brummitt pointed out that
support of public schools in North
Carolina has declined from $685.
100000 to $17,000,000 in three
wears and asserted that the
schools have thus been Debated
more than some other things. Pub
lie education, he said, is RESPONSE
BILE for 14.2 per cent of the states
indebtedness and 20 per cent OF
local indebtedness, but he declared
that these figures are not out OF
! proportion with the indebtedness
created by other functions and
agencies.
Support of the public schools
in the Aycock-Joyner-McIver pc
Rod was largely based upon the
conioint emotional and material
appeals" he asserted. "Parents
were told that education would
enable the child to burgeon out
all that was in it and also to
make more money, make better
living. That leadership, too, fixed
and established something of the
educational tradition and ideal OF
North Carolina. Forever was laid
the thought that the expansion CT
the life of youth should be re-
stricted to the means that parents
could concurrently provide. The
duty of the state to educate be-
came not intermediary but direct
"The right use of leisure has
constantly been one of the objec'
tives of the public schools. Today
it has grown into an increasing
Importance. Once industry was
accounted the foremost virtue In
laying the foundations of charac'
ter. Work and labor were es'
teemed, not alone as the means OF
accommodating goods, but also a:
potent factors in the discipline Of
human beings. Today we are
faced with the problem of max
ing an equitable division Of tn
work of the world. No longer il
it necessary for children of ten
der years to toll in order that thu
family may make a living. Tn:
hours of labor are being reduced
Therefore, both for children ant
for adults, we must find the mora
equivalent for industry.
"Within the year We have beer
CONTINUED on page three)