Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1868-08-06
THE VIRGINIA FEMALE INSTI-
TUTE. STAUN VA.

very large and aPpreciatiye audience as
sembed on the oath INST, to witness the clos
ing exercises OF this widely known institution,
and l speak the sentiments Of all present wh>n
I say. our expectations, raised so high by
former exhibitions, were more than met. Pro-
gress is certainly the moving spirit of this In
stitution, and the rich treat of classic music
executed by so many young ladies on several
pianos and an organ, accompanied by their
Professor on his violin, with such precision in
time and accent, and with such skill and tas to-
showed, not only thorough instruction by
teachers but remarkable diligence and faith
full practice of the pupils The execution was
wonderful and the time perfect. The class
seemed to abound in line performers, the
rich program me brought before U.S. in its pro =
gress, a new set Of players, each increasing
our admiration, as lie evening advanced. The
standard Of proficiency must be very high in
this department, as it was announced that none
of this excellent class had received the highest
honor-the ..Star Medal"-whch has been
conferred bat three times in twenty years.
The exercises inserspersed with vocal solos
and chorusses, We're executed with great pre-
cison and taste. We must not forget to men
ton the happy success of The pupil who rem
dered so beautifully the '.SceHa ct Aria, from
FreisOhutz, and We were glad to see thai she
Obtained the gold medal in the VOC al Depart
nent. Her success reflects great credit upon
her accomplished vocal instructress
The Hall was most beautifully decorated
and we mention. with qualification. what has
always struck us with peculiar impressiveness
in this Institution, that the elegant ease, grace
and address of the pupils could scarcely be
surpassed. Their refinement of ms nner was
very marked, and is a striking proof of the
internal or anizatiOn Of his institution
The Graduating Glass was addressed by the
Hon. Hugh W. Shelley. and his excellent
counsel and happy manner will not soon be
forgotten by the intelligent group who listened
to him with The closest attention. His address
WAS a decided success He also conferred the
medals and diplomas addressing to each hap
py recipient some specially felicitous re-
marks. The nature Of the contest for these
hono"s was clearly seen by the happy surprise
OF each successful contestant-showing her
appreciation of the skill and merits of her rv-
ais, who exhibited their generosity by cordial
Fluctuations.
The following received medals for improve
ment in writing:
FIRST GOLD MEDAL, Miss Mary Dunnng-
ton, Of Maryland; Second Medal to Marion
Fisher, of Virginia.; Third Miss L. NJ. Mat
thews. Of Stanton; Fourth Prize, by Miss
Mamie B. Kirk, of Virginia.
GOLD MEDAL. FOR COMPOSITION, Miss Re-
becca r. Benedict, Virginia.
MEDALS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN INSTRUMENTAL
Music.
First Gold Medal to Miss Ellen Harris, of
Louisa county. Va, Second to Miss Alice F.
Saunders, of Campbell comfy, Va, Third to
Miss Margaret p Walker, Of Huntsville, AL
ALBANIA, Fourth 10 Miss Belle Kirk, Culpeper
Co., Va.
The Gold Medal in he Vocal Class was
awarded to Miss Il. & Benedict. of Leesburg
SCHOLARSHIP MEDALS
First Gold Medal to Miss Alice F Saunders,
OF Va, Second 10 Miss Margaret P. Walker
OF alabama Third To Miss Ella J. Chapman
of Monroe county, W. Va. Fourth to Miss
Salie z. Upshur. of Northampton county, Va
STAR MEDALS
Scholarship, to Miss Sillie B. Pendleton, Of
Giles county, Va For General Department
TO Miss jamie g. Preston, Montgomery coun
ty, Va This ''Star Medal was conferred up
on the daughter of the late d stinguished and
Hon Wm Ballard Preston, with some touch
ing remarks by Judge Shelley, abiding to the
friendship that existed between her distiIi-
gnshed father AMI himself Well may she and
her family be gratifed with this well earned
distinction bestowed by the Principal, who
announced that during q residence OF three
years IN the Inslituion, mot dot Of dener-
it of any kind" has been incurred by her.
DIPLOMAS.
For Course of English to Miss Jennie I.
Johnson. of Richmond, and to Miss NJ. Grace
6teptce. Bedford county. Va.
FULL DIPLOMAS
Miss Mamie Archer, King and Queen county,
Virginia. Miss jamie g Preston, Montgomery
county, Va. Miss J Kate Phillips. Virginia
Female Institute. Va, Miss Salie B. Pendle
Ion. Giles county, Va. and Miss Emma >.
Hamilton
] Will not attempt description of one Of the
most touching features of the evening-fhe
DeautiiUi AMI applsrfials s'a.sd.eioty hy Miss