Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-06-07
THE COMMENCEMENT.

Court House Hall was filled with people
on Thursday evening, the occasion being
the annual commencement exercises OF
the public schools. The stage was hand
somely arranged. and seated upon il were
| MeSSrs. Rees, shannon, and Milligan, of
the Board of Education, and Rev. Drs.
Hollingshead and Balph. The graduates
Misses Belle Webber, Ina Tallman, Ella
Sheck, and Maggie Jones-were escorted
to the stage by Superintendent Walters.
While the audience was being seated, the
band kept all in pleasant mood.
After the audience had become quiet,
Superintendent Waters introduced Rev.
DIR. Hollingshead, who invoked blessing.
Miss Ina Tallman was then introduced.
She read a carefully prepared essay upon
the development and progress of what is
now the great State of Ohio, and eulOgist-
ic of the achievements of her people in
peace and in war. The subject was well
treated, and, barring slight timidity at
the beginning, from which the reader
speedily recovered, was well read, and was
deseryedly very heartily applauded.
Following this vocal duo was render
ed by Misses Ida and Nellie Anderson.
Maggie Jones then read well-cOnsid
cred essay: How Blessings Brighten as
They Take Their Flight" There were
bright thoughts and flashes of beauty in
this paper, and it was read with such
thorough abandon and self-pOSsesSiOn
that the large audience at once gave the
author and reader first honOrs.
I'VE Build the Ladder by Which We
Rise" was the subject of Ella Sheck's es-
say. The paper was thoughtful and SEN
Sible production, and was well read.
Miss Jessie F. Morton followed with
vocal selection, THE Song that Reached
My Heart, playing her own accOmpani-
ment.
The closing essay was from Belle We
Der, " y Hundred Years to Come" This
paper treated of the probable advances in
science and invention, and the like, and
exhibited some genius.
All were nedrIlly dpplduueu-
A vocal quartette, by Misses Ida and
Nellie Anderson, w. b. Gilmore, and ID.
H. Milligan, followed, and then Mr.. Jas.
NJ Rees, President of the Board of Edu-
cation, delivered an address. Mr. Rees
first addressed the people upon the needs
and the mission of the public schools, out
lined some reforms that will be inaugu-
rated here, spoke hopefully of the future,
and strongly urged the people to frequent
ly visit the schools. Then he briefly ad-
dressed the graduates, presenting them
their diplomas.
Superintendent Waters supplemented
what had been said by Mr.. Rees concern
ing school visitation with an earnest ap-
peal to the people to take more interest
in the workings of the schools. In this
connection, he stated that not exceeding
half dozen persons had visited the High
School during the past term.
The benediction was pronounced by Dr.
Balph, and the exercises were at an end.
The graduates received numerous pres
ents, including a shower of bouquets
Everything passed off pleasantly. The
music-bOth vocal and instrumental
was furnished by our home people, and in
every respect was satisfactory.
The Board awarded Miss Ina Tallman
first honors and the Adrian scholarship,
for proficiency i'll studies.
RECEPTION To THE GRADUATES.
Friday evening the Juniors of the High
School rendered the graduates areceptiOn,
at School Hail. About two hundred in
vitations were issued, and most of those
who were invited were present. The fur
niture was removed, affording plenty of
room for promenading, the hall was ar
ranged handsomely, and the evening en-
livened with good music. Refreshments
in abundance and excellent in quality
were provided, and, by courtesy of the
Masonic fraternity, were served in the
commodious banquet room of the order,
on the upper floor.
1t was altogether the most successful
affair of the kind yet given, and the young
ladies who managed it received unstinted
praise.