Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-06-13
SHEPHERD COLLEGE.
Exerojses of Commencement Week at Our
State Normal School.

State Normal School.
The commencement exercises OF Shep-
herd College were pleasantly opened on
the evening of June 18th, by the recital
of the classes in music and elocutlon.
A large and in the main an appreclatlVe
audience was in attendance. The pro-
gram was opened by the announcement
that good order was desired and expect
cd an announcement whose necessity
has been made manifest, strange as 1T
NAV seem in the case of an intelligent
audience assembled, in this 10Th CEN
turv. for the ostensible purpose OF listen
ing to musical or literary program.
The instrumental pupils who played
during the evening were Misses Elba
Hoffman. Lorraine Turner, Nellie Butler,
Mary A. Licklider, Daisy Myers, Mary
Trussell and Lalia Reynolds. All &C
Quilted themselves well, and reflected
great credit upon themselves and their
instructors. Miss Nellie Buffers solo
was particularly enjoyed by the audi
ence.
The pupils in elocutiOn whose lessons
conducted by Mrs. Butler, have extend
ed through the spring term only, were
represented by Misses Ella Turner, Cen
evievc Rightstine and Lalla Reynolds
Their recitations. "UneXpresSed, The
New Church Organ, and Somebody S
Mother" were well rendered and well
received The vocal solos of Miss Broth
erton. Miss Graham and Mr.. Hunter. all
of whose voices are pleasant in quality
and possess IA good range, formed an en-
ioyable feature of the program. One OF
The three encoreS of the evening was en-
Enthusiastically bestowed upon Misses
Mary Trussell and Lorraine Turner,
whose character song was given in
very natural way and seemed quite true
to life.
The piano duet by Miss Agnes Beltz-
hoover. instructor in instrumental mu-
sic. and Miss Ida Strider, the solo by Mrs.
NJ. +. Butler, vocal teacher, and the
vocal duet by Mrs. Butler and Miss
BeltZhoover. furnished clue to the
creditable way in which the rest OF the
program was rendered. The piano duet
was a beautiful selection from Mozart,
fttinglv interpreted; Mrs. Buffers solo
WAS we'll suited to her excellent ana
well-trained voice; and the sweet and
simple harmony of ben Bolt struck a
responsive chord in the many listeners
The program, long but not in the least
tiresome. was closed by an extremely
pretty and graceful Delsarte exercise
| Twelve white-rObed maidenS, each with
a garland of flowers, executed In Il
charming way number of movements
whose difficulty can be realized only by
| those who have attempted them. AS
they gathered in final group at the
center of the stage, the scene was illum-
mated for an instant by red lights,
| forminga beautiful tableau, upon which
the curtain fell.
1t rose again, however, for the confer
ring of the prizes offered, some time
ago, by Mrs. Butler, for work done IN
the music class. Two dainty silver
medals were presented, one to Miss Elma
Trussel. the other to Mr. C.. 5. FeeSer,
honorable mention being made of a
number Of others.
Taken as whole, the evening" en-
! fertainment was Il decided success, and
very creditable TO both teachers and
punils. 1t was distinctively Il pupils
recital. and should be Judged as such.
The self possession and presence OF
mind displayed by some whose appear
ances in public have been few deserve
especial praise. -,
The stage was tastefully decorated
with an abundance of pOttcd plants and
the college colorS, and the uSherS car
ried wandS of the same cOlOrS. Upon
the table provided in front of the stage
was "a profusion of beautiful bouquets,
distributed by the uShers at the close of
the evening. The wisdom of this meth
cd. rather than the one which has pre-
vailed in the past. was amply demon
strated. The flowers caused no inter
ruption in the program, formed val
liable part of the evenings decoration,
and when they reached those for whom
they were intended, were not crushed
and wilted, but fresh and sweet and no
uncomfortable feelings were occasioned
among those whose friends, although
equally appreciative. perhaps, had failed
to show their appreciation by floral
tributes.