On Friday, May 9th, at the court house, was held the annual county commence for the colored race.
The meeting was called to order by Supt. Wright, who asked Rev. J.S. Morrow to conduct the devotional exercises, after which Mr. Wright introduced the speaker of the day, Prof. G.O. Mudge of the department of education at Raleigh. This address was timely and full of wholesome advice to his audience. He spoke somewhat at length of the progress of education in other counties of North Carolina and expressed his pleasure at the indication of progress here. He spoke very highly of the domestic science exhibit made by the school children. Just before the close of his speech, he asked by request of the local board that a collection be taken to aid in the erection of the Rosenwald school building at Wilkesboro. This collection amounted to approximately $100. At the conclusion of the address, dinner was served by the domestic science class of North Wilkesboro colored graded school.
At the afternoon session, chairman of the county board of education, Mr. C.C. Faw, delivered the diplomas to the graduating class of 1924, seven strong. Mr. Faw spoke briefly of the progress of the work in the county in the past and emphasized some of the pressing needs of the hour. He stressed the need for better teachers and for more complete co-operation among the members of the race in order that the schools be more efficient.
After the class exercises, which consisted of recitations and declamations by the entire class, the countywide spelling match was held and George Cundiff and Alice Gilreath carried off the honors as the champion spellers of their race in the county. The prizes were awarded by J.I. Transou.
County Demonstration Agent A.G. Hendren then talked to the people a short time, stressing some of the outstanding features of his work in the county.
The exercises were closed with the benediction by Rev. Riddic. The singing classes from Wilkesboro and Fairplains rendered several selections during the day. The exercises throughout the day were interspersed by both vocal and instrumental music.
Supt. Wright announced from the platform that there were 75 pupils in the various schools throughout the county who had not missed a day from school during the year. Several of those had been perfect in attendance for two, four and five years, while a few had not missed a day in six years.
The commencement was the best one yet held in the county for the colored race. --Reported
From the front page of the North Wilkesboro Hustler, Wednesday, May 21, 1924
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