The Cecil Whig., 1886-06-26
174l 1856.
West Nottingham Academy
Commencement.

On Thursday evening June 18th the
commencement of West nottingham
Academy was held in the large Presby
terian church in the adjoining grove
Although the weather was threatening
| it having rained at intervals all day, the
attendance was very large, the building
being illed to It's utmost capacity, and
many being unable to gain admittance at
all. The church had been elaborately
and taStefully ornamented by the ladies
of The neghbOrhood skilled in the deco
rative art. Beautiful festoons hanging
gracefully between the chandeliers and
the sides of the room, and in every nook
where gay flowers and bright evergreens
could add to the beauty of the scene they
were found. Over the front of the stage
was large arch of evergreens thickly
| dotted with bright colored flowers, and
academy "NU Sine Lajore" Under
this the speakers stood, while behind
them forming part of the back ground
the American flag hung in graceful folds.
Promptly at the appointed hour the ex-
ercises began. The opening prayer was
offered by the Rev. Mr.. Sears, of Hope
well. The speakers all acquitted them
selves creditably. OF those who de
claimed George A. Bechtel, of Colora,
subject, "Fire. Fire. Walter B. Kirk,
of Liberty Grove, subject, ''Regulus to
the Carthagenians:' James Magraw, of
Colora, subject, "Shakob's Lament"
and +. Wilmer Jackson, of Principle,
subject, "'rhc Price of a Drink" deserve
special mention. Each rendered his Sc
lection according to the highest require
ments of the occasion. Lines addressed
to schoolmates of 1914 and "a counter
Fry were rendered by Charles f. Dare,
of Rising sun, and Curtis E. McCul
Tough, of Liberty Grove, by them both
very credltably. These were written by
Colonel Samuel Shock, late president of
National Bank of Columbia. Colonel
Shock is the oldest living graduate of this
academy, being in the ninetieth year of
his age. AS he is still quite active, hopes
were entertained by Professor Bechtel
that he would be present at the com
mencement. lie was student here in
1914 and 1915. OF the original orations,
the first on the program deserving spe
cial mention was that of w. c. Mitchell,
of BIltimore, subject, "No Cross No
Crown 1t was notable for the grace
and ease of style i'll which it was written.
Next Was VIM. McCleuahan, OF Port De
pOsit, who delivered a we'll written ad-
dress entitled, DETERMINATION" That
of Mitchell }. Hanna, of Rock Springs,
took well on account of its solid common
sense. 1t was a practical and unpreju-
diced view Of the labor troubles which
have agitated the country in the past
few months. Lastly the valedctory by
J. VI. j. Rowland, of Liberty Grove, who
also delivered an original Grafton in con-
necton with it. 1t was quite original in
style, being entirely out of the hackneycd
order of valedictories, and was delivered
in manner that showed that the speak
er meant and ielt what he said
Excellent music by the Rising Sun
Cornet Band was discoursed for the oc-
casion. And now the old academy has
started on the one-hundred and forty
sixth year of its existence with her star
still in the ascendency. "Stll achieving,
still pursuing she works her way on
ward and upward. Her prospects still
as bright as ever, and her teachers still
as good, and we can say conscientiously
that we believe that those desiring
good business education or wishing to
prepare for a college or university can
not find an institution where they will be
more likely to get on more successfully.
TIC.