The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-07-03
st. Fran els School.
MMENCESIENT EXERCISES. AWARDING
OF MEDALS, PRIZES. sc.

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. AWARDING
OF MEDALS, PRIZES. &C.
| OF the many educational institutions OF
which our little city has right to boast,
none deserves richer share OF commenda-
ton, or more extended patronage, than
| the st. Francis Parochial School, under
the supervision OF the Sisters OF Charity
Commencing but a few years ago in very
modest way, it has gradually extended its
influence and enlarged its capacities until
now the education of hundred children
is confided to its care, and large and ele-
CANT new building substitutes the little
/ school-room that before the coming of
| these christian women, was deemed SUI
iiciently large to accommodate all who de-
sired to attend a Catholic school. And
this Improvement seems to be but the first
step in the establishment of what is des-
tined to be not only a potent attraction
of our city but credit to the State and
Church Already the demand for more
extended accommodations is becoming so
| imperative that it cannot be disregarded.
The patronage which st. Francis draws is
no longer confined to the one congregation.
| 1t is reaching out into other counties and
sections, and into other denominations.
| Parents are beginning to see that they can
| place their children in few schools possess
| ing so many advantages, and in which
! their training will receive such careful,
1 thoughtful attention. The moral. mental,
| and physical are alike developed. and to
these are added thorough course in orna-
mental and useful needlework, drawing,
painting, &c.
| Considering The many superior features
of this school, it is not surprising that its
popularity is increasing with each session,
and that it is becoming a question of but
a short time when the Sisters will be called
upon for still larger additions to their
buildings and to their efficient corps OF in
| structors.
! An evidence of the general interest felt
| in the school was afforded last Thursday
morning. Despite Il pouring down rain
and the early hour ut which the exercises
began, the hail WAS completely jaInmed
| with al lnteligcnl and appreciative audi
ence, drawn thither to witness the Com
! mencelneiit exercises. The exhibition well
rewarded those whn attended for whatever
Inconvenience they may haze been sub
| jected to. 1t WAS worth Il considerable
sacrifice to see such IA throng of bright,
| .,t.i tn, ,of l,tn nf
the merits OF the. entertainment itself.
THAT the entertainment did possess merit
Iof IN unusual order WAS the unanimous
verdict We not think two or three hours
could have been spent more pleasantly.
| The programme was varied and every part
admirably rendered The vocal and in
strumentaI music OF both beginners and
advanced scholars reflected the greatest
credit upon the instruction Of Mrs. VIM.
j. Burke. and evidenced talent of a de-
cided character on the part of some of the
pupils. The entrance march was well eX-
ecuted by Miss K. Brown. and after two
spirited choruses. one by the boys and
one by the senior class, Misses MOllie and
Mamie Burke played. with fine effect, that
lively duet, Oxen Waltz" Drift my
bark,'' vocal duet. by Misses Cora Ma
honey and X. Heinekamp, was one of the
most enjoyable features of the programme.
Miss Mahoney has clear, sweet soprano
of power and compass. whilst Miss Heine
Ramps voice is a rich contralto full Of
music. Besides the choruses and over
| = -
| the exhibition, interpersed with recita-
tions, calisthenics, &C., embraced an in
strumental trio from Martha by Misses
| M. Stack, M. Burke, and M. Wholey
'sTarentelle," by Misses Rose Kinney and
| NJ Stack Come back to Erin an in
strumental solo, performed by Miss Mollie
Burke with exquisite expression; the old,
yet even new song, ''Oh, | have sighed
to rest sweetly sung by Miss Cora Ma
honey an instrumental solo by Miss Rose
Kinney, and several other excellent Sc
| lections.
| In the line of Rotations the programme
was we'll supplied, and from the tiny little
dot to the oldest member of the senior
class each scholar did full justice to his or
her subject. -Four little Flowers" was
recitation by four little girls, M. Wholey,
| M. Burke, M. Rice and A. Walters, that
we'll deserved the applause with which it
was greeted Miss Mary Wholey's rendi-
| ton of the Rainbow proved the fair
young elocutionist to be endowed with no
ordinary talent. Quarrel among the
Flowers semi cantanta, by little mites,
was admirably rendered throughout, the
leading parts being sustained by Misses
| Walters and Wholey, each of whom is a
miniature prima-donna. The declama-
tions 'sLiberty.p by Jno. Donovan, and
Flag of Erin, y by Ed. Kinney, stamped
the young disclaimers as orators of promise,
and no less deserving of commentator
was the rendition Of Vision by Miss
Knightly, and comic dialogue on the
tribulations of housekeepers between Miss
MOllie Burke and Miss l.. Nunan. Masters
IC.Wholey and F. Men amara distinguished
themselves in Showing how to tell bad
news, 'and five dainty Mis- 5es-A Orchard,
M. Crimmens. F. McQuaide, A. Kinney
tllu III. ". NOUit-WtIo STetJeu WIFI bIlo
heartiest applause at the conclusion Of
their Five Wishes"
OF the Calisthenic exercises it is scarcely
| more than necessary to say that they were
conducted under the supervision of Miss
| Annie Fallon, one of the most successful
teachers in Virginia, Besides the usual
drills, dumb bell exercises, &C., novel
feature was introduced in the Fan Drill.''
in which the little girls appeared in fancy
costumes of the Elizabethan age, the
bright colors of their elaborate apparel
adding no little to the effect of their per-
feet execution Of the various figures.
| Atthe conclusion of the exercises, Father
Duffy, of West Virginia, was called upon
and made a peculiarly happy and appro-
pirate closing address.
The audience were then invited to an
other department in which was exhibited
rare collection Of plain sewing, fancy
embroidery, paintings, drawings and cray
ons, all the work of the children and all
| tastifvinp tn the care which eaoh child no