85 YEARS AGO: May 25, 1939

Dublin Courier Herald, Dispatch, and Press

Dublin Senior High School auditorium is expected to be packed when the citizenry of Dublin and this vicinity turn out en masse to witness the 1939 graduating exercises at which ninety-five seniors will receive diplomas.

An elaborate program has been arranged at which Ralph L. Ramsey, Secretary of the Georgia Education Association and well-known educator, will deliver the address to the seniors. M.A. Chapman, Chairman of the City Board of Education, will deliver the diplomas to the graduates.

The program for the exercises is the following:

Processional  – “Priest’s March” by Mendelssohn – High School Orchestra

Invocation – Robert S. Bennett, Pastor of Christian Church

“Anvil Chorus” by Verdi (Il Travatore) – Class

Introduction of Speaker  – Superintendent A.J. Hargrove

Address, Ralph L. Ramsey

“The Lost Chord” (Sullivan) – Class

Announcement of Awards – Superintendent A.J. Hargrove

Delivery of Diplomas – M.A. Chapman

“Alma Mater” – Class 

Benediction – Rev. R.W. Eubanks, Pastor, Jefferson Street Baptist Church

MONTROSE HAS SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR

Superintendent J.L. Andrews of Montrose School announces the final exercises for the week beginning May 20th. On that date the Junior-Senior play, produced under the direction of Miss Marguerite McKinney will take place. This will furnish a substantial sum toward the senior fund for a trip to Jacksonville, Florida.

The baccalaureate sermon will be delivered to the six high school graduates and ten seventh grade graduates on Sunday morning by the Rev. J.E Buchanan, pastor of the local Methodist Church.

On Friday night, June 2, the final program of the school year will be given. High school diplomas will be received by Baxton Williams, John Williams, Edwin Hodges, James Heath, Nell Cook, and Miriam Cook. The Commencement address will be given by Rev. Glenn Morris, President of the Student Body at Mercer University and pastor of Montrose Baptist Church.

In spite of the inestimable handicap of losing the entire school building and all equipment by fire in November, Superintendent Andrews reports a most successful term. This he credits to the unfailing loyalty and cooperation of the Board of Trustees, the faculty, and hundreds of helpful patrons.

The total enrollment exceeds that of the past term by five; the average daily attendance has increased by four; daily absences have materially decreased, and fewer students have been dropped from the roll. The cost of instruction per pupil reveals a marked decline as well.

A glance at the annual report of the Laurens County Sanitation Report made by the Laurens County Health Department brings this information: Montrose School with an enrollment of one hundred and thirty pupils – no cases of Malaria as against an average of all county schools of 2.84 per cent; hookworm 20.7 per cent (less than any other school in the county) as against an average of 41.8 per cent for all county schools in which tests were made.

This report also verifies construction of a 2l,000 gallon septic tank and 1,200 feet of drainage ditches to accommodate sewage from sanitary toilets and drinking fountains installed in October. Although the toilets and fountains were destroyed by fire, the tank and ditches will be fully usable for the new plant.

The building and equipment valued in excess of $20,000 were modern in every respect, and Montrose was justly proud of it. The loss of it was indeed a tragedy; yet the patrons did not long grieve; instead, they began formulating plans for rebuilding. These plans are now maturing as actual construction was begun on May 23rd on a new building which will be even more splendidly constructed and equipped than was the former.

Mr. Andrews wishes to express sincere thanks to Elbert Mullis, County Superintendent, and the Laurens County board of Education for their very able and willing cooperation and financial assistance without which, he says, the success of the school could hardly be determined.

DUDLEY SCHOOL CLOSING PLAN

The Senior Class of Dudley High School will present its Class Day Program on Thursday night, June 1, and graduation exercises will be held on Friday night, June 2.

Class Day exercises will consist of the reading of the class history, the prophecy, the will, and other entertaining features.

Dr. Harry A. Little of Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville will make the address at the graduation exercises.

T.C. Bobbitt, secretary-treasurer of the Dudley Board of Trustees, will sum up the year’s work and make announcements concerning plans for the 1939-40 school term. Superintendent R.O. Powell will deliver the diplomas.

Following are the graduates: 

Mary Frances Adams, Ray Allen, Marie Dixon, Lorienne English, Brooks Garner, Addison Hogan, James Haskins, Frances Jansen, Buford McDaniel, Minnie Parker, Clarence Sanders, Julia Webb, Dorothy Wilkinson, Elizabeth Barkwell, Mary Frances Allen, Lola Mae Brown, Ivalyn Dixon, Abbie Helen Fortson, Charles Garrett, Louise Hudson, Oliver Heath, Nell Lister, Dorothy Mullis, Earl Roach, Mary Lizzie Snow, Palmer Weaver, Lola Pearl Williams.

DUDLEY FACULTY  ENTERTAINED

Members of the faculty of the Dudley High School were guests of honor at a delightful party given by Miss Leah Kittrell and Dr. C.H. Kittrell at Shady Valley, their charming home near the city. Throughout the spacious rooms, beautiful summer flowers lent a color note. Delicious refreshments were served by the hosts, and they were assisted in entertaining by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fordham.

Guests included Misses Marian Baker, Doris Hoffman, Nell Bales, Nannilu Moseley, Mary Lee Clarke, Edith Chambless, Sammie Hogan, and Trella Pope; Mrs. W.C. Resseau, Mrs. J.G. Foskey, Mrs. C.M. Page, and Mrs. J.W. Gilbert;  Messrs. Doyle Bedingfeld and John Bridges; and Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Perry and Mr. and Mrs. R.O. Powell.

FOLLIES AT RENTZ SCHOOL

Asked by a rising tide of popularity, the Hidden Valley Ramblers, talented aggregation of entertainers from Dixie’s famous Cross Roads Follies, will bring their melodious and diverting performance to Rentz at the High School Auditorium on Tuesday night at 8:30.

Featuring a remarkable diversity of harmony combinations, both instrumental and vocal, and stressing both familiar music and wholesome comedy, the Hidden Valley Ramblers have firmly established themselves as a favorite attraction.