Wichita eagle., 1888-06-02
COMMENCEMENT DAY
AT LEWIS ACADEMY, ONE OF WICH-
ITA'S SUCCESSFUL EDUCATION
AL INSTITUTIONS.
First Annual Commencement Close
OF a Most Satisfactory Year.
Five Young Ladies
Graduate.

Lewis Academy of this city yesterday
closed remarkably successful year, al
which time occurred the first commence
ment exercises of the institution. 1t is
one of Wichita's many splendid educa
tional institutions which will make hel
famous as the center of knowledge for the
Southwest, and among whom, in point OF
merit, Lewis academy ranks second to
none.
The academy occupies a large, beau
tiful and commodious building stu
ated very centrally on North Market
street, between Second and Third streets
The value of the building and grounds
is 100000, of which amount 5000 was
donated by Col. II. w. Lewis, of this city
in whose honor the institution was named
1t is conducted under the auspices of the
| Presbyterian denomination.
| The formal opening of the academy was
on September 6, 1886, with 6S pupils en-
rolled. when only the north wing of the
building was completed. The total en-
rollment for the year 16S6-S7 was 1O2 Not
until the beginning of the scholastic year
| just closed did the school occupy the en-
! tire building.
markable and exceeds the brightest expec-
tations OF its projectors. During The year
| just closed the total enrolment has
| reached the very creditable number of 34S
! with an average daily attendance of 1875
! per term. The building has twelve large
and airy recitation rooms. The faculty
consisting of a corps of eleven thoroughly
competent teachers under the principal
ship OF Prof. j. NJ. Naylor, is equal to
| the very best and will for the ensuing
year, be augmented by the addition of two
more teachers, one in the primary depart
ment and one in new department, to be
added to the academy-that of practical
and applied chemistry
A broad and comprehensive curriculum
of the course of study includes the several
departments: the classical. scientific, nor
nal, art, music and practical and applied
chemistry. An elective course may be
taken, embracing portions of the several
prescribed courses.
The streets in the vicinity of the acad-
envy We're fully lined with carriages by ten
o'clock, the opening hour. Everything
about the school betokened commencement
day from the bright intelligent counte-
airy school to the fresh rosy checked gradu-
ates just budding into womanhood The
commodius lecture hall and galleries were
filled with some SOD friends of the school.
The hall had been appropriately decorated
with flowers and foliage.
Upon the rostrum at the east end of the
hail were seated the officers, trustees and
faculty of the academy besides the grad
uating class, which formed a semicircle
back of an arch of foliage. Suspended
across the front of the arch was the
academy motto-"Orbis :Nolvitur, CruX
Stat'-while in the back ground was the
rest of the academy monogram, represent
ing the earth, moon and stars and the
cross.
The graduating class whose class motto
was, Trials Test the Heroines" was COM
posed entirely of young ladies, five in num-
Der. Misses Beatrice K. Thomas and
Lillian NJ. Johnson graduated in the must
cal department. Misses Eva NJ, Dewey,
Mamie S. Green and Mabel S Martin
graduated in the scientific department
The exercises opened at 1915 with Wag-
ner's ''Tannhauser," piano duet by Mr.
Sickner, musical director, and Miss Thomas,
Rev. J. ID. Hewitt, secretary of the acade
my, followed with fervent prayer.
Miss Eva. NJ. Dewey's essay standing
on the Borderlahd' was well written and
cleverly delivered production, full of sound
sense and good advice, and which pictured
the actual beginning of life upon leaving
school, or standing upon the borderland of
futurity. At the conclusion of her effort
Miss Dewey was the recipient of hearty APP
plause and several baskets of beautiful
flowers.
Miss Lillian NJ. Johnston displayed her
skill as a musician in her piano selections,
which she rendered with much ease and
grace. The selections "Nocturne," by
Senate. No. f." by Schar-
wenka, We're freely applauded and the fair
young performer received numerous hand
some floral compliments.
Miss Mamie 5. Green's essay, "X-
WHAT" was neatly written production
delivered in a clear, distinct voice and
easy manner. The young essayist made
of life a mathematical enigma and pre-
missed the great life problem of the young
is "N-What?" in answer to which she en-
pressed in very well chosen words and
neatly rounded ideas the conclusion that
A-What each individual makes Y, or the
unknown quantity in his life equal to, and
it all up by saying that she lives
most who thinks the noblest, lives the |
best and acts the wisest." Miss Green was !
loudly applauded and presented with many |
flowers.
After brief intermission Miss Beatrice |
h. Thomas entertained the audience with |
her most skillful rendition of the follow
ing difficult piano selections, which I
were executed with degree of |
talent that stamped her as
l pianist of great promise: /
''Sonato PathetiQue," by Beethoven: !
'hamenio Owskroi," by Rubinstein; and |
'Rhapsodie Hongroise, No. O. by List.
The talented young lady was applauded 10
he echo while floral tributes were show
,red upon her by her delighted admirers.
THE Primal Paradox" by Miss Mattel
:. Martin, was production of true merit
md unique originality, sparkling with
are brilliant thought clothed in choicest
language showing we'll trained and argu-
mind. Miss Martin delivered
Ter essay with grace and ease which
tdded much to the beauty of her pro-
luction. Taken altogether this essay dis
days an independent and ingenious line
# thinking which can best be appreciated
~ reading the essay. which on account of
Is especially meritorious character is here
eproduced. Miss Martin quite captivated
he audience and when she resumed her
eat was followed by a shower of flowers
n many designs amid the plaudits of
he audience
The Primal Paradox.
The primal paradox the curse bless