ALBANY NORMAL SCHOOL, ALBANY, GA.
BY MRS. ALICE L. DAVIS.
One finds that every year the enrollment grows larger. The people are increasingly appreciating the work done by the school. Every one who can afford it usually sends his children to our school, but there are others who are extremely poor but who are equally anxious to send their children also, and in order to do this they make great sacrifices. Many mothers work at the washtub from Monday morning till Saturday night, and do all kinds of manual labor, to obtain the money with which to keep their children in school. Some of our neediest pupils prove to be the best in their classes. One boy, whose widowed mother is unable to keep him in school, may be seen every day before and after school going in search of odd jobs to obtain money with which to pay his tuition.
This boy is one of the brightest pupils we have. There are others who are equally anxious to obtain an education. Many will walk distances ranging from three to seven miles to school every morning. The interest in the school increases yearly to such an extent that the building, which at first was thought to be large enough to accommodate all who would come, is now entirely too small to accommodate the pupils that we have. It will be almost impossible to get along next year without more room. We are greatly in need of a chapel where we can hold our devotions and have our public exercises. Without more room the work will be greatly hampered.
The third anniversary of our school was held last week. These exercises are always looked forward to with the greatest interest and pleasure by both parents and pupils. On June 4 was our exhibition of the primary and intermediate grades. The audience was made up of the fathers, mothers, and friends of the students. They seemed anxious to have each pupil acquit himself well, and the pupils seemed equally as eager to do their best to please the audience. The programme, which was well rendered, was made up of essays, declamations, solos, duets, and choruses. "Bernardo del Carpio" and the quarrel between Brutus and Cassius were rendered in a manner worthy of more experienced pupils.
On June 5 were the exercises of the grammar grades. The programme was made up of essays by two young ladies, who had completed the grammar grades; instrumental solos by the music-pupils, trios, and choruses; also an address by Rev. Mr. Sims, of Thomasville, Ga., who spoke on the subject "Wanted." He pointed out the need of education, of religion, of wealth, and especially of sterling morality in character. This address was highly appreciated by the large and enthusiastic audience.
Could my reader have been present he would have realized that the people are hungering and thirsting after knowledge, and are beginning to regard our school as a well-spring to supply them.