The Concord Times (Concord, NC), 26 May 1905,. 3.

MT. PLEASANT COMMENCEMENT
ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL EVER HELD
Extended from Friday Night to Tuesday Night Following – Brief Write-Up of All the Exercises

Despite the rainy and gloomy weather, one of the most successful commencements in the history of the two institutions has passed, leaving our town, it seems, the most lonesome place on earth.

The commencement exercises were opened Friday night with the “Prep” exhibition, the thing that never fails to afford amusement to all who are looking for something comical. The largest audience of commencement witnessed this, something like three thousand people being present, and this great crowd of people was not disappointed in the least for what one could gather from the many compliments that were made upon it proved that it was the most enjoyable feature of commencement.

Class Night, on Saturday night conveyed the truth that young ladies do not go to Mont Amoena Seminary for nothing. On this occasion the young ladies displayed their great literary talents. The program was opened with the welcome address by the class president, Miss Katie Shuler. In a short and striking welcome address she greeted the packed house with words of beauty. Misses Barrier and Heilig, the class historians, gave a full account of what had transpired at Mont Amoena among the members of the senior class during the past four years. Other happenings of the school days were given by the statisticians, Misses Myrtle Matthews and Ora Fisher. The future was revealed by Miss Trannie Coughman, and that she is a palmist no one who heard her will dare deny. According to her prophecy all save one have a happy and prosperous life awaiting them. Their unfortunate will pass her life with cat companions.

The “Insignia” by Misses Margaret Matthews and Riser, Poetry by Misses Brown and Pearl Copeland; the Class Will by Misses Blume and Corriher; Advertisements, by Miss Etta Copeland and Recitations by Misses Bostian, Maggie Shuler, and Eddleman all passes with much success, each leaving impressions of what is learned and can be done by one who has finished her course at Mont Amoena.

The baccalaureate sermon was preached Sunday morning before the graduating class of the Seminary by Rev. J. E. Shenk, pastor of St. James church, Concord. A more appropriate text than the one selected by Mr. Shenk, 2 Timothy, ii:iv, “Study to show thyself approved unto God; workmen that needeth not be ashamed,” could not have been found. If half that was told the senior class be taken and used, we can expect to see sixteen ideal young ladies go forth into the world bringing joy and comfort wherever they go. The sermon was simply grand. Mr. Shenk held his audience spell-bound for forty minutes with his polished discourse and delivery.

The address before the Ladies’ Missionary Society of the Seminary was delivered Sunday night by Rev. J. C. Perry, of Lynchburg, Va. Rev. Perry is enthusiastic in the cause of missions and one better acquainted with missionary work could not have been found. He selected as his theme, “Thy Kingdom Come,” from which was gathered his excellent address filled with words of beauty, nobility and simplicity; words that went to the very hearts of the hearers.

The elocution contest for a gold medal was unusually good. It is clearly showed that the elocution teacher had not been idle. The six contestants were all well matched, and it was after a lengthy consideration that the judges announced that the successful contestant was Miss Lillian Eddleman, of China Grove.

“May Blossom, the finest thing that Mt. Pleasant has ever seen in the way of a drama was presented Monday night. The drama, indeed, was something fine, and was highly complimented by old attendants of the opera. The auditorium was packed, and something like one hundred and thirty-five dollars was realized.

The contest for the Declaimer’s Medal was held Tuesday morning. The declaimers all did credit to themselves, and brought honor to both declaimer and speaker. The successful contestant was Mr. B. E. Sloop, of China Grove.

Miss Amy Brown, of Salisbury, received the medal in Essay. Her subject was, “Elements of True Greatness.”

Never has anything been so highly complimented as was the debate by the students of the Collegiate upon the question: Resolved, That: “Labor is Justified in Forming Unions.” The logical way in which the debaters handled their question, the way in which they displayed their literary talents, their eloquence and oratory was something amazing. Compliments by some of the best educated men in the South like, “That the debate would have brought honor to any Senior Class,” “Never have I heard anything equal to it,” “It was grand,” should make the participants feel proud. Both affirmative and negative put forth a strong fight for and against the justification of labor unions, but the affirmative fought the harder. Like the other two contests it was exceeding close, perhaps the closest of all. The affirmative, Messrs. J. B. Moose, J. A. Peck and D. B. Welsh, won. The debater’s medal was won by Mr. D. B. Welsh.

The graduating exercises of the senior class were held in the auditorium Tuesday night. Diplomas were issued to the following young ladies: Misses Mary Heilig, Ora Fisher, Maggie Bostian, Amy Brown, Pearl and Etta Copeland, Myrtle and Maggie Matthews, Katie and Maggie Shuler, Opha Barrier, Trannie Coughman, Ollie Blume, Lillian Eddleman, Mary Corriher, and Anna Belle Riser.

The names of Rev. A. G. Voigt, D. D., of Charleston, an Prof. Ernest Dreher, of Columbia, suggest what the addresses delivered by them were.

The last, slowest, and most interesting game of ball, played by the Collegiate Institute was played Saturday afternoon between the above and Albemarle. A large crowd was present and expected to see a good game of ball, but were greatly disappointed. The score was 26 to 13 in favor of the Institute.