Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-06-01
CLOSING EXERCISES OF H00vER'S SELECT
HIGH SCHOOL.


rain, the spacious Chapel Hall Of the D. D. q
Blind Institution was filled to its utmost capa-
city. floor and platform, by those eager to wit
ness the interesting closing exercises of Prof
II. L. Hoover's Select High School.
twas an occasion of much more than ordi-
nary interest and enjoyment. Itwould be DIFF
ficult to know who, were most deserving OF
congratulation the pupils or their instructors
both were heartily congratulated on this &C.
casio n, and both richly deserved it.
The gentlemen who presented the medals did
SO in addresses which were appropriate, eio-
quent, witty, and humorous, and showed.that
the right men had been selected to discharge
that pleasant, though difficult duty.
five had space it would afford us pleasure to
give sketches of these admirable addresses, and
to report the exercises more in detail las it Is,
we will have to contlne our report TO mere
recital of the order Of the exercises, which can
not give an adequate idea of the interest at
tending them.
The "Stonewalr' Brigade Band furnished ex-
cellent music on the occasion-playing num-
Der of fine pieces intervening the exercises.
After music by the Band, the exercises were
opened with prayer by Rev. R. R. s. Hough,
Pastor of the NJ. E. Church South of Staunton.
There were ten contestants in defamation
| for the Gold Medal which was to be awarded
| by committee consisting of the following gen.
| tlemen: -
VIM. Frazier, Meade F. White, w. M. D.
Hogshead, Maj. H. NJ. Bell, and VIM. ]. Nell
| son.
The contest was spirited, and close-all doing
SO wellas to 1T difacultto DECIDE to whom
the medal should be awarded. fs I
The following were the contestants who. de-
claimed in fine style, in the order named, the
pieces following their names respectively:
| C. A. Miller John Adam on the Declaration(
W. b. Hoge, (Randolph on altering Va. Con.
stitution); Boykin M. Halle. (America uncon-
querable-C hatham); J. M. Mcclure Chatham
on Colonial Reconciliation); G. W. Fitzgerald
Qrish Emancipation Bill-O'ConnelD; F. McC
Hanger (Grattan's reply to Curran,: R. A. Hos
hour, DUTY of American citizens); B. D. Tams
(Webster's reply to Hayne); H. L. Gilkesor
(Rienzi to the Romans).
l, The Committee was given time to consider
whilst the medals which had been awarded te
the pupils by the Principal were presented by
the parties selected for that purpose.
Then Gold Badges awarded for Genera
Scholarship, were presented by A. G. Stuart
Esq. to the following pupils
u W.P. Gilkeson. G. Il. Eichelberger, F. M
Hanger, and J. w. Morrison, Jr.
The Department Medals, awarded to Theo
Hough, G. w. Fitzgerald, ]. W. Morrison, Jr.
]. w. McChesney, and Gilbert Child, Jr., were
, presented by R. P. Bell, Esq, who stated that
, to win these medals it was necessary not only
: to abstain from the use of tobacco in any form
and spirituous liquors, and profane language
} but to be punctual in attendance, and to oh.
, serve every rule and regulation Of the school
Those medals bear the morto-'.Purity. Perse-
verance, Punctuality."
, The Spelling Medal-awarded to those who dc
, not miss word in spelling for three months,-
, was awarded to Gilbert Child Jr. and was pre-.
, scented, in quite an humorous manner, in e1
tenspore remarks, by H. st. Geo. Tucker, ESQ
The Gyn,nastie Prize was presented by
) "Prof. Hoover to Master Taylor McCoy-the
t little son of the late Capt. G. D. Mccoy. TIL,
3 contest for this prize was very close between
3 Taylor Mccoy and little Tommy, Burke so clos
that the Principal of the school called in
Committee of experts to witness the contes
: and awarttthe prize.
Prof. Hoover related the incident that willis
reading in the Bible that imam is wonderfully
and fearfulIy made" one of his little pupils re-
. marked-'thats what's the matter with Tay.
lor Mccoy" His chief contestant. little Tom
my Bur Ike, says Taylor McCoy's legs are India
DISTINCTIONS.
To get dfstfncti onr in scholarship twas ne
cessary Inat lneif eAs~tnations sirooio "Nei
u