The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-03-22
Close of the Centennial school,

Close of the Centennial School
! On Wednesday, the l4th inst, in Au-
/ gusta Co., at the Centennial scbooi-house,
/ $50 named because it was built in 1850
| was spent one Of the most pleasant days
that was ever enjoyed there. 1t was the
/ closing day of the school term OF 'ST-'SS.
The most pleasant feature Of the fore
noon seemed to be the intense pleasure
that the scholars manifested when Mr.. J.
M. Hill, a good photographer of Bridge
water, arrived to transfer the merry look
| ing faces and sparkling eyes and the school
building upon paper. The building was
beautifully decorated upon the front, with
a large cedar wreath encirclng "Centen-
NAL Seminary Mr.. Hills work is ex
cellent and speaks for itself.
After the artist left, Mr.. w. e. Pence,
who has taught the school for the past
two Years. called it to order and interro-
gated them with general questions, and 1t
was simply surprising and wonderful to
see with what promptness and correct
ness they answered them. 1t speaks well
for both teacher and scholars 1t seems
almost a mystery hoS he trained his
scholars so thoroughly, because he had to
labor under great disadvantages IN hav-
ing a small house and very large school,
and no assistant. 1t certainly shows UNI
firing energy on the part of the teacher.
At half past eleven O'Clock the school
had intermission. The scholars OF the
fair sex had spared no pains in preparing
most excellent dinner for the occasion.
and it reminded one of wedding dinner
when the scholars, patrons and friends
stepped around the festal board to serve
one of the most sumptuous repasts that
could be prepared. There was plenty and
to spare of everything desirable. Alter
dinner was over nearly all present took
part in the various plays and nothing
seemed TO be thought of but enjoyment.
There was large number of spectators
! present.
| At two clock the school was called to
order, and the programme consisting Of
essays, dialogues and declarations, inter
/
music, was rendered in most excellent
manner, We don't think that was ever a
bette: and more entertaining programme
prepared at this school than upon this oc-
casion. Every one present, we are quite
sure, enjoyed the exercises to their fullest
extent, and not a few compliments were
passed upon the young and promising
speakers. After the programme Of the
school was rendered, at the requesG of the
| teacher, a friend and former pupil of the
school read the creed of the Bells, = pre-
| fixing it by few encouraging remarks to
the scholars. Then Mr.. Pence gave his
| farewell address in terse and touching
| language to his pupils and patrons, plainly
showing them that the degree in which he
appreciated their kindness and respect
shown him whilst in their service, would
not be forgotten and was more than he
could express by words, and that it would
be his great pleasure and hope to work for
their interests and render them any ser
vice in the future that might be in his
| power.
| The general average for the term was
between forty one and forty-two scholars.
| Pant Of the session there was from fifty to
sixty in school. The school has always
enjoyed the reputation of being one of the
best il the county. There is only one
scholar who goes out of the school this
year by reason of approximation, while it
is certain there will be several new ones
next year.
Steps are being taken towards building
another room and establishing a graded
school. We certainly think it would be
the best thing that could be done for the
| community in the way of advancing the
cause of education. We think that the
only mistake that WAS made at first was in
not making it graded school, because the
school has always been too large for one
teacher and has consisted of all grades, and
| it still continues so. We don't know of a
better situation for a graded school than
here. A prominent citizen, whose judg-
ment is nDquestionable, remarked upon
| his way home that the Centennial Semi
nary'' was undoubtedly one of the best
country schools OF the State. In this ex
preston he but voices the sentiments OF
many Others 1t is due both Mr.. Pence
and his patrons and scholars, to say that
during his two terms teaching he has not
| had, to our knowledge, any difficulty of the
least consequence with either scholars or
patrons. Something, as every public school,
| teacher can attest, that is rare occur
renee to teach a school for two years with
out incurring the i'll feelings Of some
one Of the scholars OF patrons.
| But Mr.. Pence can proudly go away
| from this community with the consola.
ton of having nothing but the best feel
ings and wishes of the people. We have
no doubt out that the position as teacher
is open to him at &c. S, 2 any time he de-
sres. PURLICOLA.
Remember @. G. WHEAT has sauces
Of all kinds.
Don t fail to visit J. ]. SIIIRKEY's Ne.
% east main street. for Novelties of all
kinds. This is his speciality.
Shad and twenty other different kinds of
;ol, y ID