The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-05-21
Girl GRADUATES.
THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT
THE OPERA HOUSE. LAST
NIGHT.
A Worthy Representation of
the Public Schools Of
Austin.

AS stated in yesterdays paper
large attendance was expected to view
the graduating exercises of the High
School pupils. This expectation was
more than filled, for seldom has the
auditorium been so crowded as it was
last night. Scores of people had to go
away, and there was not even stand
ing room in the galleries or below.
This large and intelligent assemblage
was not only high compliment to
the youthful company Of students,
but was evidently recognition of the
high importance of education in
the abstract, and of the merit and good
services of the Austin schools in par
ticular. The exercises were opened
with prayer by Rev. DR.. Goodwin,
after which, Mr.. A. p. Woodbridge,
president of the board of trustees, in
a few Introductory remarks showed
how the school system of Austin had,
from its inception, steadily improved.
In 1881, the year the public schools
were organized, the number of pupils
enrolled was 1928, with 26 teachers.
at the beginning of the last session
there were 1900 enrolled and 40
teachers. The financial outlook was
very promising. and with the aid
given by the State for the ensuing
scholastic year, the speaker deemed
it quite likely that the additional tax,
not long ago voted, could
be dispensed with, as the combined
revenue of city and State would
reach in round figures the sum of
$4,000. Mr.. Wooldridge's remarks
were loudly cheered.
The regular programme was next
taken up, beginning with gracefully
worded salutation from Miss Jessie
Ward.
"The Advancement of Public Edu-
cation" was happily treated by Miss
Lula Bewley.
woman and Her Ways" was the
topic taken by Miss Eugenia Collett,
who handled her subject with much
effect.
Miss Pearl Cashell recited Father
Ryan's sublime piece ga Land With
out Ruins" most beautifully. She
threw genuine feeling into the
pathetic lines, and her elocution was
almost perfect.
Miss Fannie Andrews described the
mission of Dew-drop," and
made pretty application.
Margaret of New Orleans"
was rendered with much grace and
spirit, and won deserved applause.
Miss Bette Ramey told, in an in
arresting composition, about the
Girls of to-day" Being one of them,
the could easily 90 the subject JUS
tice.
letter" was recited by Miss
Octavia Proctor, and recited well.
Miss Elisha Hadden chose the Lat
in motto Labor vincit omnia" for
her essay. 1t was replete with good
sense.
"The American flag" recitation
by Miss Rosa Hirshfeld, was done
very effectively. The gesticulation
was graceful, and the delivery showed
careful training.
Miss Annie Ramey'S essay on the
Sermons our Lives are teaching"
showed careful thought and was one
of the best of the essays.
"All the worlds stage and all the
men and women in it merely
players" was the rather lengthy title
of an essay by Miss Marion Smith,
though the piece itself was brief.
Miss Lul1e Lane recited the Legend
Beautiful" the beauty of which was
increased by her artistic execution.
Miss Kittie Carlisle's subject,
Behind the clouds the sun is shining"
was happily selected, and the young
composer made the most of the cheer
ing theme.
"The schoolmaster's guest" by
Miss Gertrude Whitis was an exceed
ingly well rendered recitation.
The valedictory by Miss Minnie
Darlington, was of a high order
of merit, and demonstrated
the worthinesS OF the
young lady to fill the post of honor
signed her.
After this, Miss Louetta Kinney, a
former High School graduate, read
an excellent alumn8 address; and
then came the presentation of the di-
plomas and medals, which was done
in his usual neat manner by Mr.. A. p.
woodbridge. There were thirteen di-
plomas granted, land three gold medals.
The last were bestowed Misses Pearl
Cash ell. Gertrude Whitis and Minnie
Darlington, of the Junior Middle and
Senior classes, respectively.
Then the benedjctiol was said, and
as blessings were invoked for the
bright and happy band that were des-
tined yet to learn much in the more
rugged school of life, many sympa-
thetic, though silent amen was
breathed amid that audience.