The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-03-20
For the VIRGINIAN. ]
Closing Exercises of the Centennial
Academy.

Mr.. Editor = On last Thursday, the
18th inst, it was the pleasure of your cor
respondent to be present at the closing ex-
ercises of Centennial Academy situated
q miles east of Mt. Sidney.
Standing at the intersection of two main
roads, with large body of woodland as a
background, it greets with its modest, but
welcoming appearance, travellers from the
four cardinal points of the compass
Having been erected in that famous year
OF our cOuntry'S history known as CEN
name of Centennial Academy With
the name typical of Americas independ-
ence, may it long remain as reminder of
the power of education aid culture over
ignorance and depravity.
Notice having been given that the closing
exercises of this schoOl-so ably and sue
cessfully managed during this scholastic
session by Nh. Samuel M. Woods, of Will
low Spout,-would take place on the 14th,
there was large attendance of visitors
attracted to the scene. The three teachers
of the Mt. Sidney Graded School, accom-
panied by q large number of their pupils
and the County Superintendent, were
among the visitors. Although ''old March"
was raging without, yet within all was
comfort, pleasure and enjoyment.
Mr.. Woods pupils, true to a time-hon-
ored custom of the neighborhood, came on
this last day. with baskets of enlarged
size containing both substantials and deli
cacies. and with that free-handism and
large-heartedness so peculiar to school
children, spread a general table and gave a
cordial invitation to the repast. One hour
having been thus consumed, in which one
pupil We'd with another as to who should
be most hOspitable and pleasant, the house
we 0al1od 70 INV M, w mil
prayer by the Rev. Levi CARRIER, followed
by a welcome song upon the part of the
pupils, the exercises began. For nearly
two hours was the large audience enter
tanned by declamatiOns, dialogues, stump
speeches and music. Your correspondent
would not mar the harmony of the scene.
by giving preference to any. Suffice it to
say that all did molly. Of such pupils may
parents aOeH be proud. In remembrance of
such any teachers heart should warm with
love for his profession and pulsate at the
thought Of still higher proficiency in so
laudable a calling. | cannot close this
commentator upon the exercises of that
evening without paying my tribute to the
lovely and melodious voice which lead the
choir. AS those soft and gently swelling
intonations of harmony pervaded the build
ing, the conflict of the elements without
seemed stilled to listen, the cares and
trials of the audience seemed waited away
for the time and all was calmness and re-
pose.
After splendidly written and well de-
livered valedictory by Miss Barbara CARRIER,
Mr.. Woods announced tie names of the
successful competitors for the prizes in
the different branches and called upon
Prof. Roller to deliver the same. Prof.
r.. performed this task in happy and
graceful manner. The audience then was
treated to speech by Prof. Roller who
spoke with that earnestness and fearless
ness which showed him to be man of
thorough enlistment in the great cause of
education.
MI. Woods in a feeling manner arose to
bid his pupils farewell !; his intonatiOns ev-
idenced that his heart spoke, and word
after word of encouragement and hope
passed his lips. The answering looks of
pupils showed affection Of heart and earnest
appreciation for their kind teacher Fare
well'' by the pupils terminated one of the
most pleasant evenings your correspondent
ever enjoyed, and as he faced the binding
snow on his homeward journey, he
registered the hope that in the not far dis
tant future he may again be a visitor at
Centennial Academy" to enjoy similar
scene. LISTENER.