Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-05-04
STRASBURG'S GALA.
THE HIGa sUHOOL CONN NENCEMENT.

ers, Music, Literature and OrAtOry.
1t is a great day for Strasburg when the
time for the annual commencement Of
the high school comes around. And Dc
servedly SO. When the school authorities
of the town some thirteen years ago built
a new s12, 900 school house, established \
central graded school with three depart
ments, and three years course III each,
and from time to time put themselves
abreast with the most advanced edu-
cational ideas, there were some mis-
glyIngs on tho part Of the more
conservative element of tho community rs
to the result of the experiment. During
the nine years that Prof. Chas. b. Keller
has been principal of the school and
under his practical aud progressive ad-
ministration, the wisdom of their policy
has been amply vindicated and the schools
have advanced to the very front rank of
the state. Year by year the commence
ments have come to more fully illustrate
the character and success of tha years
work and have evoked corresponding
interest III the community, and arc land
mark Of educational development for the
surrounding country.
Last nights entertainment was the most
popular and successful ever held in tho
history of these events. At an early hour
of the evening the streets showed uuwont-
ed activity aud the presence in the town
of many persons from the surrounding
townships and further distant points of
the country. BY y p. N. MassasOit hall
was filled, and ut the time for the opening
of the exercises, when the directors, grad
uates' and official visitors, filed in
it was with difficulty that they could
make their way through the dense pack to
tho stage. The decorations of the hall
were very elaborate and tasteful and
greatly heightened the effect of the recent
repainting and thorough retitting of this
comfortable audience room. Across the
front of the stage We're hung wreaths of
evergreens, vines of smilax covered the
chandeliers, an arch was erected ON the
stage decorated with nosegays, the foot
lights were crowded with baskets,
bouquets and rich floral devices, aud
at either side of the stage were huge
pyramids of gay blooming pOtted plants,
FROM the top of which lowered stately
Gala lilies and among them were grouped
birds of brilliant plumigo and familiar
species.
The Literary and Musical Programme.
The stage was occupied by the members
of the graduating class, alumni, Principal
Keller, State Superintendent Higbee. and
County Superintendent Shaub, the dircc-
tors, Revs Haupt, of this city, Wheeler, of
Millersvilie, Stripger and Heany, of Stras
burg, and some other visitors and patrons
After a march, Our American Heroes"
by the Strasburg orchestra, conducted by
Prof. ketfer, prayer by Rev. Haupt, and
an overture by the orchestra, the saluta-
tory was delivered by Geo. w. Brua, who
found in his theme " Day break " a fitting
illustration of the dawn of practical life to
the student aud impressed it upon his
audience in happy manner Anna IIersh
read the class history, a humorous prOduc-
ton recitiug tho experience of
school life Lillian B. Rakestraw,
a member of last years class, read Il
pathetic poem, "The FiSherman's Wife,"
in clear strong voice and with vivid ex-
preston John G. Myln, in a we'll written
and plainly pronounced address, extOlled
"Grit " as an elemen: of success in life :;
the orchestra played with good effect
1.-The Mountain Echo - Norris Bach
man, II young man of fine presence and
manly manner, delivered al Grafton on
"The Safeguard,' in which ho eulogized
liberty as the protecting and vital ele-
ment of our institutions Mary Andrews
had an Grafton on the little word If, >"
showing the controlling Importance of the
slight contingencies of life.
Milton G.. Cooper then made the class
prophecy, indulging in speculatiOns as to
the future of his classmates, assigning to
Morris Bachman fame and eminence as Il
statesman, to Geo. w. Brua, the rank of
philosopher and mathematician, to John
G.. Mylin, success as q Jack of Al
trades" to Emma Pheneger the laurels OF
a pOetess, to Anna Hersh the rewards of
philanthropist, to Mary Andrews the vic
tories of a great prima donna, and to IL.
Bernardo Foulk high rank us a teacher.
Bertie FOulk, another of last years
class, set the audience in rOars of laughter
with a humorous recitation, Jimmy
Butler and the OWL" the orchestra played
"a Day at Coney Island" and III. Der
narda Foulk, coming forward with Il
basket of gifts, made the speech of pres
entatiOn of fit testimonials to her class
mates, presenting Miss Pheneger with
confectionery, Miss Andrews with a birch
rod, Miss llersh with trumpet to sound
her own modest worth, Mr.. Bachman Il
fashionable tie and Mr.. Brua a doll. They
wero loudly applauded as their apprOpri-
atencss was recognized by the friends of
the dOnees.
Annie Pheneger, of the class of 'S2, ell
tertained the audience by reciting "Aunt
Hannah Tripe in Court" after which
Prof. Keller presented the members of
the class with their diplomas in a short
and impressive address, full of warm
friendship, healthful sentiment and good
advice the orchestra played a silver
medley of popular airs and Emma Phene-
ger spoke the valedlctOry on " Behind the
Scenes" closing with tender words Of
parting to all connected with the school.
Or. h,gbees Remarks.
Rev. DIR. f. E. Higbee, state supcrin-
tentlent, was then introduced, and spoke
briefly but eloquently and euiogistic of the
great material wealth and natural beauty
of Lancaster county, and of its first i'm
portance Us factor in the educational
development of the state. But what was
the tllage of the soil without
Intellectual culture, what the wealth
of field or storehOuse without
the royal citizenship of educated
men and women He made clear ex
position of the school system of Pennsyl-
vania, which contcmpIates the local self
management of the schools, throwing
upon the directors and the community
which elects and supports or fails to sup
port the directors, the responsibility for
the condition and the work of the great
army of nearly million boys aud girls in
the common schools of Pennsylvania.
The support and wise direction of these are
of vast political interest as con-
serving the diverse nationalties and
forpiuu iptnrpctc CONSTANTLY r,rrr