ALLEN NORMAL SCHOOL, THOMASVILLE, GA.
MISS K. B. DOWD.
For this event we had made great preparations. For weeks practicing had been going on vigorously, despite regular lessons and extreme warm weather. The class to graduate consisted of four members, and we felt anxious that as residents of Thomasville they should do themselves credit, and grandly did they rise to meet our expectations.
Commencement exercises began Sunday evening with the baccalaureate sermon preached by our pastor, Rev. C. F. Sargent. It was listened to by a full house, composed of the best people among the colored race of the city. Tuesday at 8 P.M. the school marched to the school-building to find it already crowded to its utmost capacity, there being not standing room then. Half an hour later tiers of eager faces were peering through the open windows. Hack-loads came from the town and adjoining towns, only to find entrance impossible. Some half a dozen of the white citizens stood upon boards at the rear of the building through the two hours' programme, and declared they "enjoyed it very much." The concert lasted an hour and was followed by gymnastic drills given by the boarding pupils. Their wielding of the heavy dumbbells elicited hearty applause. With no breaks they went through with marching, stepping movements, wand-drills and the anvil chorus, the exercises closing with a full chorus, "The Song of the Sea," by Veazie. Our only regret was that so many must be turned away. Between the concert and the gymnastic drills, Miss Dickerman's tiny ones entertained the company with motion songs, recitations and solos, showing the careful drill and thorough work of the year.
Wednesday was a busy day indeed, for the church had to be trimmed for the great event, namely, the graduating exercises. Long folds of blue and yellow, the class colors, hung from the highest point in the ceiling over the pulpit to the windows on either side. Directly in the center, in large gold letters, was the class motto "Forward." Huge bouquets of the most exquisite roses, sent in by friends and pupils, were everywhere. A bank of ferns in front of the platform completed the decorations. Just before the time to go to the church a heavy thunder shower came up and the prospect for the evening was dubious indeed, but by eight there was nothing more than clouds and mud to trouble us. Upon reaching the church we found it full, despite the rain, and among the audience were the editor of the city paper and one of the leading physicians.
Prayer was offered by one of the colored ministers of the city, followed by the "Te Deum Laudamus," by the school. The essays "Joan of Arc," "Evangeline," "England's Growth in Free Government," and "H. H.," were well read and well received. Comment was made by the doctor upon the correct pronunciation of the class, a remark being made to the effect that it was superior to the work done in their own schools. There were no class honors, for all had worked faithfully and well. The speaker of the evening was T. S. Inborden, of the Albany high school, a graduate of Fisk University. His address was an earnest appeal for "growth."
The diplomas were presented by Rev. C. F. Sargent. His words to each member of the class were most appropriate and heartfelt. The "Good-night" song was followed by the benediction and that by the hearty congratulations and good wishes of the friends of the school, leaving in our hearts happiness and content that the hard work of the year is appreciated and our school both blessing and blessed.