Diamond Pageant to Celebrate Chowan College's 75th Anniversary, Oct. 31, 1923

Diamond Pageant Will be a Brilliant Affair. . . Unique Portrayal of Growth of Chowan College Presented October 31 in Auditorium to Celebrate Anniversary

The celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of Chowan College will reach its climax in the presentation next Wednesday at 8 p.m. of the Diamond Pageant prepared for the occasion by the Department of Expression. Eighty-five persons will take part in the presentation.

The chief purpose of the pageant is to point out, in a symbolical way, the progress made by Chowan in the overcoming of Ignorance and superstition by Christianity; and to show the widespread Christian influence Chowan has had over Eastern Carolina. First the Spirits of Ignorance and Superstition appear in a dance with the Carolina woman worshipping at their altar. Then is seen the conflict between the spirits of Ignorance and Superstition on one side and Christianity and spirits of Light on the other. The gradual disappearance of Superstition and the rise of Christianity is effectively brought out as the light of Christian Education sheds its rays over the College. Loyalty, Sacrifice, Truth, and Ambition are brought into the foreground. The pageant ends with showing the effect that this new influence has had on the girls of 1848 and 1878 and later students of Chowan.

The cast includes 85 characters. The pageant is being prepared by Miss Gertrude Knott, assisted by the students, former students, and alumnae of Chowan. Much enthusiasm is being shown by those interested in the growth of the College.

Following is the cast of the principal characters:

Spirit of Christianity—Marietta Bridger

Carolina Woman—Thelma Peterson

Loyalty—Lucile Holloman

Sacrifice—Page Morehead

Truth—Adalia Futrell

Ambition—Willie Mae Horton

Chowan College—Thelma Draper

Science--Mollie Davis

Literature—Thelma Finch

Art—Frances Lawrence

Mathematics—Jessie Marie Parker, Ruth Wilkins, Glenn Smith, Sarah Vaughan, Mattie Parker Drama—Miss Meroney, Miss Gunn

Home Economics—Margaret Parker, Pearl Bryan, Willie Blount, Lucile Overby, Florence Barkley

Spanish—Blanche Allen

French—Willia Thompson

Music—Miss Lane

Herald—Miss Gordon

Special electrical effects are being prepared for the presentation, and the new curtains will be used for the first time. From an artistic point of view the pageant will be one of the most remarkable ever presented in the state, and a large crowd is expected to see it.

From the front page of the Chowanian, Chowan College’s newspaper, Murfreesboro, N.C., Oct. 25, 1923