Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-06-27
COMMENCEMENT,
st. Joseph's School Closes With q
Brilliant Entertainment.


The closing exercises of st. JOS
eph's school of this city were held
in the Central Opera House on
Thursday evening. Never was so
much interest centred in q school
event, and it can be said that none
passed off with such brilliant sue.
cess in every particular. Requisite
for such an event were tho musical
numbers of the program; but nov
city at once pleasing and beautifully
executed was the rendition OF the
operetta entitled "Gypsy Queen" in
which Miss Katie McAneny was the
Fdiry Queen, Miss Lettie Meadows,
Mother Ggunt, and Teresa Reardon,
Resale, the minor parts, gypsies,
fairies and Tyroliens being sustain
ed by other scholars. Charming
voices, with we'll studied roles and
perfect ease in rendering, fit this for
downright concert work. Other vo-
cal numbers of the program consist
ed of the opening hymn, "Watch
Over Us;p "The Bells of Shandon, !"
and "The Parting Song" by the vo-
cal class; Swinging On the Grape
vine SWING" by Master Patsy Moore;
and ga Boys Best Friend is His
Mother Accomplishments to the
various vocal selections were render
ed by Misses Mollie Martin, Martina
Little and Sophie Anderson. Thomp-
sons orchestra also assisted, and
rendered the opening and closing
marches.
hesenior class consisted of Misses
Lettie Meadows, Sophie Anderson,
Leila Egan and Jennie Heelan, and
To each Of these was awarded gold
medal for finishing the course. Miss
Egan delivered the salutatory adj
dress, a gem IN thought and clearly
and satisfactorily expressed, while
to Miss Meadows was assigned the
valedictory, and in it she displayed
the work of a careful and conscien-
tious student expressed with spar
kle OF language.
The awarding of medals was in
terspersed at intervals in the pro.
gram. Miss Egau received e gold
medal for her essay from Rev. Faith
er Drake. Rev. FL. J. McKeefry
presented gold medals to Raymond
Meadows and Bessie Grove for ap-
plication, and silver medals to Leo
Cunningham and Lloyd Mouse. The
Sisters gave a gold medal to Teresa
Welsh for composition and mathe.
mates.
Instrum entail numbers of the pro-
gram consisted of Flying Fancies, -
solo, Miss Anderson; duets, "Fire
Balls" Misses Reardon and Mouse;
"American Airs," Misses Anderson
and Holpp, and trio, continental
Schottiscbe,n Misses Sullivan, Burr
and Carney. The Farmers Drill,
Hat Drill, tableaux and Rotations
by the little ones showed excellence
in drill and perfect memory in time
and action. Tie tableaux of older
scholars consisted of two scenes
from "Fabiola, Execution OF Mary
Queen of Scots, "-realistic in ap-
pearance and splendidly designed
they contributed much to the sue.
cess of the program. The last tab
leau Was styled 'Past, Present, Fu-
tare, and Angel OF Hope" arranged
especially for the four members of
the senior course.
"Dottie's Dream, with Mercel FL
lott as Dottde, Mollie Westenhaver
as Queen Mab, and sixteen other lit
tie girls participating, Bachelors
Sale, recited by Pauline Brookey,
and "Star of the Sea-" a duo-recita-
ton with piano accompaniment, were
selections most gratifying to the
very large audience.
In this latter day of novelties we
could expect nothing but excellence
IN the Delsartean pantomime "Near.
er Ny God, to Thee" and the reci-
tation chardcterastique, christmas
on the Plantation" Disappointed
in neither, we were more than graft
fed, In the former the young ladies
participating, with grace and con.
tour in every movement, in a Ian.
guage Of gesture, portrayed the
beautiful sentiment
"Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, TO Thee"
while strains Of the sublime HYMN,
known the world over, sung by Miss
Meadows. softly accompanied every
movement. 1t was sweetly sad.
Quite the reverse, but none the
less applauded, was the vindication
of good old times in Dixie by Miss
Teresa Welsh, in her recitation,
christmas on the Plantation
Everything that makes up good MINI
icry and the character of the alto.
gether happy negro of the Southern
sunny cline" shined out in this lit
tie lady's role. The fiddle and the
happy accompaniment of shuttle of
de feet" was all there, and she capti-
waited the house.
Before the final march Rev. Faith
er McKeefry made an appropriate
address full of good sound thought
and beneficial to all who heard. We
need say no more. If every COM
mencement is to be of the same stan
dard as this, we will never tire, but
make every effort TO attend them all.
st. Joseph's parochial school may
feel proud of those in charge, and of
the pupils whose progress is made
there,
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A n