The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-06-26
Middlebury Graded School.
CLOSING OF THE YEAR-EXERCISE OF
THE GRADUATING CLASS.

CLOSING OF THE YEAR-ENERCISES OF
THE GRADUATING CLASS.
School-house hall was crowded on Fri
day evening last with parents, relatives
and friends of the scholars who were to
take part in the exercises and with others
interested in the school. The hall had
been very prettily trimmed for the occa- !
sion with evergreens and flowers. The
stage on the west side was used. Hang
ing against the wall on the left side of it
was pillow of ferns bearing the letters
M. ii. S." in white flowers and on the
right the figures 1885 appeared on a sim
liar background. At the back of the
stage the motto of the class was dis
played in letters of evergreen; the Greek
words composing it meant Ever striving
for the summit" There were across the
front of the stage, in place of foot-lights,
daisies and ferns in tumblers. The effect
of these and the other decorations was
excellent.
Principal Mead presided. Preceding
the appearance of the graduating class
were exercises by the younger scholars.
First, the little ones of Miss O'Leary's
room sang a song, "Grasshopper Green
Then Eddie Knapp gave, with good
deal of force, "a defamation entitled The
Big. Little Man." the boys and girls
of Miss Goodrich's room had dialogue,
The Menagerie." and a song; Lottie
Russell recited very pleaSingly The
Minuet" and Virgil Thomas told of 1.-The
Bishops Visit" The youngsters all did
exceedingly well and were literally APP
plauded
The exercises of the graduating class
were in accordance with this programme
Piano Solo. Miss Lucia Sutton.
Declamation-The Pilgrim Fathers.
Wendell Phillips
William Alden.
Recitation-The Painter of Seville.
Belle Duncan.
OratiUn-Engand and Russia.
Louis w. Austin.
Piano Duet-Invitation to Waltz. Czerny
Misses Daunis and Dashiell.
Oration-The Spanish Armada.
Harry Noe
Essay Ambition.
Fannie Knapp.
Oration-The Power of Wealth.
Leslie Ralnc.
Vocal solo-My Queen. Jacques Biumentta!
Miss Hortense Drake.
Oration-Julius Caesar.
Prentiss Hoyt.
| Oration-Virgil.
l1CrDerl hOlutn
Recitaton-Thc Vision of Sir Launfa.
iortense Drake.
instrumental Duet-Cavatina from La Somnam-
bula.
Mr.. Dana and Miss Eells.
Presentation of Diplomas.
Mr.. Alden gave his selection in a forci-
BILE, easy manner. as did Miss Duncan
hers.
Mr.. Austin's Grafton was clear, we'll
written statement of the origin and
growth of the differences between Eng
land and Russia, with some speculatiOns
on the probable outcome of them.
Mr.. Noe began with reciting some of
the numerous cases where one nation has
sought 70 overpOwer another; then he
reviewed the history of the Armada and
the benefits that resulted from the failure
of the expedition.
Miss Knapp had difficult subject, but
handled it interestingly She defined
ambition, showed that there were differ
ent sorts and cited instances of each.
Mr.. Raine talked of the Power of
Wealth" for good and evil and expressed
the opinion that those who possess it do
not always know how to use it to the
best advantage,
Messrs. Hoyt and Holden sketched the
and manifested prasewOrthy familiari-
ty with these authors and their lives and
works.
All the orations were well spoken, with
the possible exception of Mr.. Raine's.
His delivery seemed-to those in the rear
of the hall at least-to lack animation
and diStinctness.
Miss brakes selection from Lowell
was admirably brought out.
The music was of high quality, and,
like the oratiOns, essay, recitations and
defamation, was received with applause
Friends of the graduates presented each
of them with flowers, some receiving a
number of baskets and bouquets. Mrs.
Pitts, Mrs. Miner, DIR. Sheldon and Mr.
Sam Sheldon were to have rendered Pin
: suits Where Wavelets Ripple Gayly' at
l the close; but Mrs. Miners illness pre-
: vented.
, Principal Mead addressed the gradu-
ates as follows, after which, they were
presented with their diplomas as they
l passed across the stage:
= Young Ladies and Gentlemen Of The
Graduating Glass You have many
) friends. Some of them have gathered
} here tonight to recognize your merit
your attainments and to bid you God
. speed You stand on vantage grounC
1 to-day; you command the sympathies
the good wishes, the aid if need be o.
e generous natures, and of more than you
I know of; for nothing is so attractive
nothing so wins the hearts of older peo
> pie as honorable, ingenious, promising
youth. They will watch your future
q course with some anxiety, it may be, bu
= they hope for, they expect, much of you
y You will not disappoint them. By faith
: full, earnest effort you have reached you
: present position. There remains mucl
. more to be;done. You will remember tina
' only by patient, persevering, homes
work can you reach the high mark a
s which you aim; Ever striving for tn,
a summit" Only be true to your highe
d instincts, TO your better natures and tn
e world will yet hear of you to its adyan
!, tage. In recognition of your attachments
q in obedience to the authorities of thi
o school | have the pleasure of presenting
you with diplomas as graduates of Mid
) dlebury High School,"
L This is the first class to receive diplo
mas from the school