The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-06-30
st. Francis School.

lHL ANNUAL NfO-' -
PRIZES, PREMIUMS, &c. 81 III ss ss.f -
1t has been only two or three years since the
st Francis School Catholic was taken in
charge by the Sisters III Charity Since then
it has deyelopedintoan educational institution
of which our city is justly proud. OF the nu-
merous commencement exercises annually oc-
curing IL. Staunton, none are more attractive
than those conducted by the Sisters, and indeed
no schoolin this Centre Of schools shows more
progress or greater degree of success. Dur
| ing the session Just closed a hundred pupils
were on the roll; large and elegant school
house was erected and the most cheering re-
suits have attended the instruction both as re-
CARDS the mental training of the pupils and
of this school are doing great work III our
midst and the evidences of their faithful deYo-
ton to duty are plainly indicated in the mark
ed Improvement Of the children under them.
Heads and hearts are alike being cultivated.
The influence of the school is not CON
fined to the four walls of the building, but is
made to permeate and pervadethe daily lives OF
those whose privilege tits to be SO fortunately
situated, Perhaps oneof the chief reasons for
the success attained is that no single pupil is
neglected. individual attention is given, and
no child is permitted to be in anywise oyer
looked. This careful and unrethitting super
vision has produced excellent results, and
has not only encouraged and animated the
oh IN oil Of tlloir arto oil ht has
served to' attract the parents to the school, and
secure their hearty cooperation with the SIS
tiers. The St. Francis deserves the remarkable
success it has attained, and each year will more
firmly establish ii in the esteem and confidence
of its patrons. Nt
On Thursday last the closing exercises took
place in the Chapel. Even before the an
nounced hour the building was crowded.
Promptly at 10 O'clock The school filed in,
keeping step to the music of the Entrance
march" played by Miss Margaret Taylor. 1t
was a pleasant sight, so many young ladies
and little dots, youths and small boys ranging
Misunderstanding the raised seats at the end
Of the rooms AS the white muslin and blue
ribbon rose tier, oyer tier an animated and
beautiful tableau was presented.
The programme consisted of vocal and in
strumental music and recitations, tinterluding,
the distribution of the prizes, honors, &c
tires jolie" waltz by Miss Rose Kinney, was
well rendered. and the eHitfnt Chorus" was
another piece that was received with applause.
"Polonaise," by Miss Annie Mahoney, and
Bon jour- Polka, by Miss Nora Fitzgerald,
were each eXcellentreHditions and the audience
appauded them heartily. The little ones sang
Watching for Pa with fine expression, and
the babies gave the. 'iBow and Arrow" song
with VIM and spirit both in yocalisn and
gesture that called forth rounds of applause.
One of the best musical performances we have
ever heard from pupils So young was the
"Oxen Waltz as played by Misses Mary
tween ten and, twelve years old. no The, time
was perfect and they threw into. the piece a
vigor that Brought forth all of its beauties. In
the Race for Life galop Miss Rose Kinney
showed talent OF a decided stamp. The other
instrumentalists. we're Misses Frances Dinneen,
Nora Fitzgerald Mary Quinlan, Annie Maho
ney and Margaret Taylor each of whom was
entitled to a special credit. The chief vocal
pieces We're a beautiful song son wilt thou
leave thy tranquil home sweetlygs sung by
Miss Cora Mahoney and the Ave Maria" by a
quartette and chorus. Besides these were
quartette,, All things are beautiful and
"Excelsior' and other songs by the boys,
Master Richard Keetfe, the medalist, recited
Father Ryan's matchless poem, "The march of
the ,deathless dead" with faultless gesture and
fine expression, and Miss Margaret Taylor
gave u poem "Unpretending worth" with the
greatest of credit to herselfs The gem Of the
morning was recitation entitled "Catching
beau by beautiful lttea girl, Anna Maria
Meade. y She is a perfect little actress and her
effort drew forth the heartiest applause. /
At the close Father O'Ferrall distributed a
number of handsome and useful books To |
the little girls were given boxes each of which
contained doll with elaborate wardrobe. AS |
IA special gift Father O'FeiraH presented Miss
Anna Mahoney with an elegant copy of |
Burns, and accompanied it with words of |
pOOu COpINSCI.A - 1' 80 - ft p - - '- |
Just before the conclusion Father McVerry
called upon Father Hanley, of Richmond, to |
make few remarks. Father HanleY, after
stating that his health forbid much speaking,
and that he was even then under the charge Of
DR.. Halter Henkel, congratulated the sisters
anal scholars on the exhibitions made, and
gave some excellent advice to all present
When the exercises in the chapel were ended,
the audience passed to largelro in the
new building, where were displayed number
fancy work Some of the pictures were very
fine, as were also the maps and the collection
as a whole evidenced conscientious work on
the part of both instructors and instructed |
The following is the list of honors, distinc-
ssi3eSIfi HINH5fg uyA DYIllE |
HoNoRs.-The highest honors of the school, |
consisting of gold medal and crown were |
awarded 10, Miss Anna u laloneyif for proficient
cy. "a CHRISTIAN Dactrips, Rhetoric, Grammar
Pm misIoF lshsa and intellect
FIR D6portnaent and Regular A attendance. -
First honorssto Misses Mary Qpinlan, Ellen
Nash, AIids Keetfe; Second hgengrs e Misses
Rose Kinney, Elizabeth Widely, Frances
Dinneen, Mary Knlghtly, Mary Wholey, Mar
garet Taylor, Martha Beck, and to the best
little gil ip, the school, ellen May. Noon, n,
Bay,s Impairment ~ Regular otttdlad(l1aee.
Richard .Keefe,, George Hilbert, Paul Dono-
van r siJf nsos Lyons, Edward Murray, John Dono-
v "a l. Edward Kinney, ING. Fallon, Wm. Hou-
nihan,. VIM, Walter, Edward Mcmahon, Jno, /
Edward Hounihan, Frank Fallon and Paul
4 ne sSs5s, dfedal was awarded to Edward
McAleers for being the best boy III school"
~ Budgss If Eccelloigce were awarded the most |
suctessfuf in their respective classes. First
room first class, Miss Mary Quinlan. End
room, Sd class, Miss Anna Mahoney ~ ~
~ fusicd5 Department. The gold medal was
awarded to Miss Rose Kinney for distinguish
ed success in instrumental music. Premiums
to Miss Cora Mahoney and Edward Murray
for vocal music. -e-,''-' F's'7
Christian Doctqane.-1st class. list premiums
to- Misses Mary Quinlan, Frances Dinneen,
Elizabeth Wholey, Kate Knightly, Mary
Burke, Mary Ellen Fitzgerald, Nora Fitzgerald, !
Mary Knightly and Ellen Crane End premium
to Misses Rose Kinney, Mary Wholey, Mar
garet Taylor and Cora Mahoney. 2nd class. 1st
premiums to Misses Anna Maheney and Mary