The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-06-09
Commencement Week!
CONCERT AND CLOSING EXERCISES OF
TIE cLIEToa FORGE SEMINARY.
Delightful Music, Pretty Costumes,
and Superb Program.
A Fashionable and Crowded Audi
nce-Everybo body Pleased and
Highly Entertained.

A crowded audience attended the clos
inc exercises of the Clifton Forge Semi
mar at the Masonic Hall, Tuesday and
Wednesday nights, and we'll was it that
the people did turn out, for the exercises
were most enjoyable and interesting.
The Concert Tuesday night exhibited
some rare talent in both vocal and in
strumental music, while the Rotations
and other features of the programme
were not lacking. The drill in Calls
themes showed that the young ladies
had received careful instruction toward
the development of their muscular
strength, and the unique character OF
the "Sunfiower Song" and Shaking
Quakers'' captivated the audience and
called forth vociferous applause. The
Sunflowers were painted upon canvas,
and a human face appeared and disap>
peared from the center of each, as the
rendering of the song required. These
newfeatures, in which the children were
prominent, were greatly enjoyed by both
the patrons and friends of the Seminary.
The programme was well arranged, and
reflects high credit upon all concerned.
We delayed going to press last night
for some hours, with view of getting as
full report of the final exercises as pos
sible. A fuller honse than tho one OF
the night previous greeted the young
ladies, and the carrying out Of the pro-
gramme was most pleasantly listened to
by the patrons and friends of the Semi
nary The essays of the three graduates,
Miss Mary Bryant, of this town, whose
subject was, Smiles" Miss Fannie
Smoot, of Woodstock, who chose for her
theme "A Prophecy Fairy tale, and
Miss Flora Ba'lou, Of Kentucky, who
read an essay on ''Woman's Mission"
were all very interesting papers, and
showed careful study and ability on the
part of their composers. There were
eight scholarship medals awarded to
those who made during the session an
average of 81 in all reports and exami-
nations. The happy receivers of these
were Misses Mary Bryant, Fannie Smoot,
Flora Ballou, Resse Campbell, Lizzie
Murray, Katie Alley, Elsie Bailey, and
Master Vernon Carter.
The medals awarded In music to the
pupils who made the greatest improve
ment during the year, went to Misses
Edna King and b ,ssie Campbell.
The prize for the most Improvement
In the Art Class was given to Miss Net
tie Bowles daughter OF His Honor.
Mayor Bowles. Miss Lena Alley and
Master Robt. Harris received the prizes
in Free Hand Drawing.
Prizes in proficiency and improvement
in writing were awarded to Misses Lizzie
Murray and Jennie Tqlloh, respectively;
prize offered to the pupil who missed the
fewest number of words in the Diction-
airy Glass, was given to Miss Lottie Ma
haney for greatest improvement in
grammar. Miss Anna Dudley; for gen
eral improvement in all stGdies in pri-
mary classes, Misses Blanche Miller and
Ella Smith.
The medals and prizes were delivered
by Rev j. r. Fizer in his happy and
easy style. Rey q. W. Megarkle made
an address to the young ladies. and gave
to the graduates some very practical
points relative to their bidding adieu to
the school and starting out upon the
pathway of life
Too much praise cannot be said of the
members of the Faculty of this school,
and espeesally is it so deserving to the
Principal. Miss Dora !. bryant, whose
careful and thoughtful management of
girls is sure to have an influence for
good and we hope that the parents of
not only our town, but of neighboring
ones, who have daughters to be educa-
ted will send them to the Clifton Forge
Seminary, where We are sure they will
receive all the attention that can be had
in any of the leading universities and
Institutes