Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-07-05

COUNTY FREE ScHooLs-CLosING ExER'
c1sEs.-At 3 o'clock on the afternoon oil tie
81 inst, large number Of the parents ADD
fricuds Of ,hepupls ofthe several istrl9' pqD.io
schools of Alexandria county. hbled at Co-
um5ia School, Buildiug, near 1ingtou, to wit
ness the contest between the different schools
for the Execution, Reading, and Spelling Me
dals There were present, representations
from Columbia School, Miss Alberta Sisson,
teacher: Carue School, Mr.. Samuel + Stacup
teacher; aud Walker School, MIR. james H.
Clements, teacher. Geo. R. Adams, esq,
school trustee FROM Arlington District, presid
ed, and 10 the absence of Superintendent Carbe,
who was TOO i'll to attend, the duties of that CT
ficer were performed by MIR. r. }: Collios., lo
the spelling contest, which came hrst, one nun
dr., d test words, selected equally from McGut.
fcy's Speller aud Sixth Reader, were gwen out
and required to be written by the contestants.
The n,cial in this bIaoch Was awarded to MISS
Mollie g. Walters, of Carne School, who spelled
ninety five words; Willie ?. Hall, OF Column
bia School, little boy only nine years OF age,
having missed but eight words, deserves spe-
cial mention. In reading, Messrs. 1. ii. Sy.,
pheru. Benjamin Ausiio, II Dwight Smith and
Albert Graham were appointed judges, With
r. j. CoIiJs, as umpir,, and the classes were
required to render selections 10 both prose and
poetry. At the conclusion OF this exercise, the
vote stood one for Willie j. Cameron, OF
Walker School; one for a little Miss, OF Column
bia School, whose name we have lost; and TWO
for Miss Maggie O'Dowd, of the same school,
and The cas- iug vote being givee for his young
lady, the medal was awarded to her. The
Execution Medal, given by Maj. Geo. Dutey,
of this city, was Inferred upon Miss L"opora
j. Unval, Of CarDe School, who received three
cut of the four votes cast, the remaining one
bring 10 favor OF Willie s. Cameron, # Walker
School "A letter from Maj. Duffey to the sue
ceSsful compete or was read, 10 making the
presentation of the last Damed medal. Alto
gether the examinations we're moSt credlable
and gratifying exhibition Of an UNUSUAL progress
Of the pupils duling the pas year, aud the
thoroughDess OF the system Of Instruction par
sud By the teachers. The reading was fully
w TO the stanuard of tue best which we have
10 cur city schools, and the declaration, taken
as whole, was the best we have ever heard
from lis # the same age 10 the enjoyment
Of similar advantages. All deserve special
meutior, but it will not be deemed 40 nvldious
distinction to say 40 extra word OF encomlum
ir favor Of Miss Duvall, he elocutiop medali,t.
This young ady's rendition of "Cato's Solilo
guy" was one Of the finest efforts We have ever
Witnessed either on or IF the stage. The beau
tifu harmony OF word and gesture 10 po'fect &C
cord with voice ard expression. the intense IA.
tura carnestuess which was thrown into the
more cmuri cal parts, ard the apparent loss of
her own individuality in the part which she
was acting atl served to cause the audience to
enter fully into her Own feelings, and conse
qucnly TO understand aud appreciate the
mcaDiug Of the author The SupcrintendeDt's
Medals were awarded to Miss Hattie Donald
son. OF Carne School, and James H. Birch. of
Walker School. The presep alton Of medals
having been made vote Of thanks was, 90
motion Of Mr.. j E Clements, rendered Maj.
Geo. Dufey and r, J. Collins, the former for
the beautiful elocurinn medal which he bad
presented, aud the latter for his servc cs in the
eXa limitations.