The biggest event ever pulled off in Stanly county was that of Monday, when the entire county turned out en masse to witness the demonstrations staged by our consolidated schools, which are under the supervision of one of the state’s best and most active superintendents, and in charge of a crew of the best county teachers to be found anywhere. All ably assisted by our genial welfare officer, Mr. Moss.
The day called forth approximately 3,000 school children. The program started with a parade held along Main and Second streets. The children were led by their respective teachers and were arranged according to school groups. The Wiscasett band led the procession, and this feature was one of the most impressive of the entire day. It was thrilling to see our little tots and older pupils from every nook and cranny of the county marching under banners which they held high and proudly, and all wearing happy faces and pretty frocks and suits. The parade was followed by a pageant of floats, headed by the Efird band, which demonstrated to the fullest what good natured rivalry and a desire to excel is doing among the student body. Endy and Oakboro divided honors, but with Millingport, Aquadale and others with their fine exhibits of artistic skill and happily conceived ideas—well, we were simply glad that we were not one of the judges to decide the matter. Because, whatever else may be said and however well earned those gaining prizes have shown themselves as victors, it remains that the entire exhibit was a great one and should be estimated as a whole. And that prizes are not commensurate with the merit and zeal expended. The Press mentions this so that next year, when we go one better, some of our business folks will be moved to provide graded prizes for floats, and at least three of the most worthy ones will land prizes.
Floats in Pageant
East Albemarle—Statue of Liberty—truck patriotically decorated representing Statue of Liberty.
New London—Decorated cars.
Richfield—Decorated cars and trucks.
Millingport—A splendid arrangement of decorated cars and floats. A Ford coupe of Mrs. Eller’s was beautifully decorated with large hand-made daisies. This school also carried out the idea of Little Red Riding hood on two beautifully decorated trucks.
Endy had a large shoe built on a truck, representing “The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, and had so many children she didn’t know what to do.” But perhaps the most beautiful float in the parade was that of the Endy Glee Club. This consists of a very large harp about seven or eight feet in height on a beautifully decorated truck, with girls dressed in white as “muses” around it.
Oakboro was a close second in its floats. The idea of the old and new schools; one with the slab sides and slab benches, dunce cap, etc., and the new with the modern equipment, graded lessons, etc. Then came the agricultural department with the mule, the old wooden foot plow, and the boys and girls with hoes and rakes, followed by boys with a tractor and gang plow.
Oak Grove had a truck on which was arranged an attractive clump of small oaks, with their spelling team resting in the shade of the trees.
Aquadale had a truck beautifully decorated in white with Domestic Science equipment, and members of the Domestic Science class of Aquadale giving demonstrations.
Brooks and other schools had beautifully decorated cars.
The parade ended at the Wiscassett recreatation grounds. In the large pavilion, Prof. Ludwig gathered his corps of musicians and the schools were grouped to the capacity of pretty play house and stand. Prof. Reap made short talks and announcements, and was generally handy and happy man under the thrills he received from the excellent spirit of co-operation according him.
Mr. Reap introduced Mr. A.C. Huneycutt, who really needed no introduction. Huneycutt is interested in Stanly county, schools, and he likes to see the Stanly brand of American red blood asserting itself, even to a point of eclipsing Roman and Grecian heroes, and he is a good talker. He introduced Mayor Cherry of Gastonia, who made a fine speech. Mr. Cherry sees in the educational strides of today the full fruition of hopes and prophesies expressed by the beloved Aycock and other educators.
The afternoon was given over to a recitation contest as the city graded school auditorium, participated in by girls representing the various consolidated schools of the county. These furnished a demonstration of the very fine work that is being done throughout the county in these schools. There was also held in the courthouse a declamation contest by the boys representing these same schools, and this contest was said to have been a splendid demonstration of the training that our boys are getting under the splendid corps of teachers of the county. Miss Grace Morton of Richfield won the prize in the girls’ contest and Curtis Hatley of Millingport won the prize in the declamation contest. The Endy school won the prize for the best float.
After the contest about $300 in prizes were awarded to the various schools and individuals of the county for excellence in school ground improvement, class room attractiveness, etc. The various prizes have been given largely by Albemarle business men.
Prizes
To the high school that makes the most improvements along all lines. First prize, $25, Morrow Bros. & Heath Company—to Endy Schools. Second prize, $20, E.E. Snuggs—to Richfield.
To the school that does the best work in improvement and equipping grounds. First prize, $15, Riff’s Department Store—to Millingport-Plyler School. Second prize, $10, Stanly Hardware Company—to East Albemarle. To the teacher writing the best essay on “The School Problems of Stanly County and How to Solve Them.” First prize, $10, Stanly News-Herald—to Miss Alta Zachary. Second prize, Candy and Dough Board, Palmer Stone Works—to I.V. Yonce.
To the teacher or teachers in a school arousing most interest and securing best results in school work this year, $15, Albemarle Plumbing Company. Prizes divided—D.P. Whitley, Miss Bess Huckabee of Aquadale School, and Mrs. Mary Kendall of the Endy school.
To the high school winning the debating contest at county commencement, $25 by the General Seating Company, Charlotte—to Oakboro school.
To the consolidated school having the best attendance. $25 first prize; $15 second prize; $10 third prize—International Harvester Company—postponed.
To the school having the best kept school rooms. $10 by Carbarrus Savings Bank to Aquadale school.
To the school winning in the spelling contest, $15 by Stanly Auto Company. Divided equally—Bloomington and Oak Grove schools.
To the school having thew best selection of magazines and newspapers, $10. First National Bank—to Oak Grove school.
To the school having the largest per cent of children systematically taking part in the health crusade. $25, Albemarle Real Estate and Insurance company—to Aquadale school.
To the school having the largest per cent of children having individual bank accounts. $10 by Stanly Bank & Trust Company to Stanfield school. To the boy in the elementary school winning in the declamation contest at county commencement. $10 by Albemarle Cabinet Company—to Curtis Hatley, Millingport.
To the girl in the elementary school winning in the reading contest at county commencement. $10 by P.J. Huneycutt & Company—to Grace Morton, Richfield school.
To the school having the best floats or pageant in parade at county commencement. First prize, $20—to Endy school. Second prize, $5—to Oakboro school—given by Auten-Wolfe Motor Company.
From the front page of the Albemarle Press, Thursday, April 12, 1923
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