The Opelousas courier., 1894-08-04
Evangeline Academy,

The second annual commencement O
vile Plates cherished and worthy Aca
DENY OF Evangeline took place Satur
Gay, S6th ult., with a large attendant.
from the surrounding country and Opel
ousas. Among lovers Of education sucl
as the people of Willie Plate, the com
mencement of a school such as this ha,
been through the competency and unri
va!ed energy of Mr.. E. E. Ortego is no
q little affair, as was evident from til,
fact that during the exercises every
place of business in the town was closed
AT about 4:30 p. M. the curtain rose
First upon the beautifully decorated
stage appeared Miss Mamie Thompson
who in a sweet voice gave a cordial vel.
come.to the audience. Soon there fol.
lowed a series of recitations, some OF
which among others, "Rienzi's Ad'
dress to the Romans" by George Vid:
rine:" Cnrfew Must not Ring Tonight
freux Malheur de Vivre Loin de Ceuz
qu'on aime." by Miss Isola Fontenot, as
we'll as Thyme de PEnfant a son
Reveil," by Miss Celeste Landreneau-
might have graced a college stage.
Beautiful vocal music was also rem
dered, for which special credit is due to
Mrs. Oscar Reed, and much praise NJ ust
be given to Miss G.. Juliat for her per-
Torrance on the piano.
A debate, Are the Mental Capacities
OF the Sexes Equal? formed a special
feature in the exercises, the girls strong
~ maintaining the affirmative and the
boys as stoutly cOntending for the mega
! tive. 1t is needless to say, however, that
the girls came out victors. Among them
were Misses Helen Vidrine, Florence
Thompson, Celeste Landreneau, Isola
F%ontenot, Madeline Thompson and VIC
toria Landreheau. OF the boys may be
mentioned George Vidrine, Aubin La
verkne, Laurent and Edward Ort6go,
ana Achille and Joseph Guillory.
ss Isola FOntenot next appearing
up the stage with a short but sweet
address to MIR. Ortego, the principal, ten
dered him a neat present in token of her
and her schoolmates' gratitude for his
appreciated efforts in their behalf. An
appropriate response and expression Of
thanks was given this unexpected mark
of affection and gratitude.
Speeches were then delivered by Mes
srs. Eraste Vidrine and c.. w. DuRoy,
after which an intermission took place
until 8 o'clock when the distribution of
premiums occurred. The judges, Mes
sra. L. II. Lewis, j. Fl. Parker and Fred.
Vidrine, having been appointed to de-
eide on the excellence Of the partici-
pants in the exercises, awarded the first
prize-a silver medal-to Miss Helen
Yidrine. the second to Miss Florence
Thompson and the third to Miss Celeste
L%andleneau. Among others who dis
tinguished themselves were George Vi
dIine and Isola Funtenot.
A gold medal was awarded Miss Isola
FOntenOt for best department, best at
tendance and best application through
ont the entire session. A silver medal
was awarded as second honor to Miss
Mamie Thompson and Mr.. George vi
drine for excellence id mathematics.
Certificates of Distinction were then
awarded to the following: Isola Fonte-
not, Mamie Thompson. Victoria and
Celeste Landreneau. Florence and Ma
define Thompson, Eva Tatman, Sophia
Sylvester, Aubin Lavergne Geoge Vid-
rine and Edward Ort6go. Mr.. Thos. 81.
Lewis concluded the exercises by q
speech, after which a grand ball follow
ed, with music by the Mechanics Brass
Band of Opelousas. x.