The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-06-16
Closing of the Schools.
N
A BUSY SEASON AMONG TEACHERS AND scHOL-
ARs-THE VARIOUS COMMENCEMENT ExER-

OlOSln2 OF Inc SCHOOLS.
BUSY SEASON AMONG TEACHERS AND scHoL-
ARs-THE VARIOUS COMMENCEMENT ExER-
| CIsEs.
During the week just past, Staunton has
been in one continual whirl of school COM
mencements. They have crowded SO fast the
one upon the other that there have not been
days and nights enough to devote one to each
On Tuesday night crowds were gathered to
witness the exercises at both the Virginia Fe-
male Institute and the Wesleyan Female In
stitute The largest audiences, however, that
ever assembled in Staunton were those which
attended the closing exercises OF the
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
on Thursday and Friday nights. The Opera
House was literally jammed, even the standing
room being all occupied and numbers turned
away because they could not get glimpse Of
the stage The Stonewall Band furnished de-
lighlful music at intervals.
The first night was devoted to the exhibit
ton in the white schools of what DR.. Harnil-
|
viz calisthenics and defamation. The first
of these has been introduced during the last
half session, and the remarkable perfection Of
drill and grace displayed spoke volumes fol
Miss Annie Fallon's method of teaching. She
has certainly been enabled to accomplish a
great deal, and the rare success attained. ranks
her as one possessing unusual qualifications
for the difficult position of instructor in Cal
isthenics. In marching, drilling and postur-
ing the children acquitted themselves most
handsomely and well deserved the hearty APP
plause that greeted them.
| The defamation was very fine Taken as
whole and considering the ages of those who
participated, it was the best ever delivered be-
| fore Staunton audience. Some who came to
the footlights were little fellows just intro
duced to the dignity of first pants. A tiny dot
was Tommy Hiltzhimer, but he covered HIM
self with glory and merited the perfect storm
Of applause his effort elected. Little Mary
Kiblinger was also a favorite. Her de-
veriest little actress could not have surpassed
her. There was others who are deserving of
special mention, but we must content our
selves with giving their names. They were
Frank Simpson. Clark Strasburg, Earnest
Shuey, Cal Hardy, Willie Nelson, Lacy Glib
son. Geo. Todd, Matt Fletcher, Lorenzo Evans,
Baldwin Wayt, John Young, Sam Christian,
Gertie Hart. 3, .r.l .s,s "a
The contest for the decamer's medal was
open to the scholars only of the high school.
The contestants were Rich. Ker, Ed. Sublett,
Tom Kinney, Cal Hardy, Fitz Elder, Gilbert
Eichelberger. Willie Lee. Each of these young
gentleman was entitled to prize and it must
have puzzled the committee to arrive at
decision. A decision was arrived at, however
| Willie Lee was declared the fortunate, one.
Harry Tucker; Esq. made handsome and ap-
propriate speech in presenting the prize.
Some of the most talented and gifted pupils
did not appear on the stage Florence Mere
dith who won the scholarship last year, and
was again awarded il, was prevented from be-
ing present by sickness. In the boys classes,
two pupils, Albert Shultz and Willie Hahes
were more than distinguished in their depart
ments These boys are only about IS years of
age, and rank high in the senior class Of the
High School. In Latinand advanced mathe-
mates they stand near the top. and the Super
intendent informs us that in the English
branches, such as grammar, arithmetic &c
they can defy the most rigid examination.
There were also number of fine declaim-
ers who did not appear. Their absence was
occasioned by the length of the programme
and for other reasons which the superintend-
ent and teachers, under the circumstances, are
satisfied were good. sN@E
| SECOND NIGHT. -laf4A
The exercises of Friday night consisted Of
exhibitions by the pupils. IN the colored
schools. The Opera House was packed to its
utmost capacity. The eolored people occu-
pied the dress and orchestra circles, and the
galleries were densely crowded with the white
citizens of the town, large proportion Of
whom were ladies'. The programme was de-
voted to defamation and singing, dialogues
&C., it having been thought best to dispense
with calisthenics.
The entire entertainment passed off as
pleasantly as could be. Among the declaim-
ers were the following: Ida Steele, Maria Lee,
Andrew Beck, Willie johnson, Laura Lee,
| Henry Trent, Jas Woods, Elmer Campbell Ia
| little fellow in short dresses) Jas Carter, Jas
Branson, Emmett Moore, Mary Brown, Susie
Early, Walter Goodwin, David Carter Char
ley Carter, James Cooper, Ezra Williams, Ed
ward Nelson, James Becks.
The dialogues were very enjoyable, but the
gem of the evening was a comic song by ten
little boys, which the delighted audience
| forced the performers to repeat Jas. Becks'
declarations in grace of gesture could not
have been better. iiae5t ,lti a.. 4! eitti-nl,
| After the programme had been finished. and
tune played by the Excelsior Band, Judge
Shetfey, at the re luest Of the Superintendent,
addressed the audience il a happy little speech
in which his heartiest congratulations were
extended both pupils and teachers upon the
success of the evenings entertainment. Judge
Shelley was followed by. Rev. Mr.. Porter and
Rev. Mr.. Reed, colored pastors, each OF whom
made appropriate and excellent addresses.
PRIZES 0'i 'dt
in the white schools were distributed as fol-
lows: ,rtr, lima
In Miss J. M. Browns room--Declamation
Tom Hiltzhimer; Scholarship and Deport-
ment-W. Kidd and Bessie Turner; most
rapid improvements johnson, Harvey
BERTHE and Lucy Smith. eb ay.t.ra.lri -
Miss Atkinsons room-Scholarship and De-
portment-Ed Runnels; Declamation-Loren-
70 Evans. .r.,...s r. icta-g 4.,a ri I
Miss Ellen Harmans room-Scholarship
| and Department Gulley, Elouise Ell
der, Linnwood Ogg and Gussie Switzer
Punctuality and greatest number of perfect
recitations-John Young; Diligence, &c. =
Geo Todd. - ..n,aar
Miss Kate Nelson's room-Declamatio
Willie Nelson; Scholarship and Department
Emma Smith; Writing-J. Asst and John
Waddy; Greatest number OF head marks-V.
Nelson. So, fi.-4s 3 4ts,ss-...l ssalsif1ll
Miss Martins room-Scholarship and De-
portment-Mamie Wolfe; Writing-Anna
Bell Peaco. g.. ,''.'e
Miss Mills room--Declamation
Little and E. Shuey; Scholarship and Deport-
ment-Fanny Lawton CLOSELY contested by
Martin Perry.