The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1897-06-05
We Are the Sum of Our Endeavors. u

ST. Landry High School commenced
wednesday at 8 O'clock p. m. with the
contata The Flower Queen" in
which pupils of all grades participated,
under the able leadership of Miss Anita
Doremus. The little people looked
very pretty and cute in their costumes
OF silk tissue paper, and the perform
ance was well received by full house.
Thursday, the play of Henrietta" :"
which was advertised on the official
program, did not come off.
Friday, the Commencement proper
took place. The Opera House, in
cluding its New Dress Circle Gallery,
being crowded with il large and en-
thRsiastic audience who applauded to
the echo every point scored by the
young performers.
The scene on the stage was very
pretty, as any scene is where Sweet 16
is in the preponderance. The grouping
might have been improved on, and the
young graduates should have been re-
quired separately to slip. up to the Su-
perintendent so that their friends in the
audience might have given them due
appreciative applause. The scene,
nevertheless, was effective.
The first essay, which was the main
feature of the program, was the paper
OF Miss Lizzie 81 ckshear, who was APP
propriately gowned Gas were the others)
in some diaphOnous material which
showed off to advantage their youthful
charms, excepting Peyton, - who
boomed out in an immaculate claw
hammer-one OF those convenient garbs,
SO cut that a man can reach for his
gun with ease and velocity. Her sub
ject was "CorD and Lilies" as typifying
the useful and beautiful, and it is but
faint praise to say that this talented
young lady did more than justice to the
subject, aud evinced a depth OF thought
and feeling surprising in one SO young.
Then followed the recitation by Miss
Martha Andrus, "a Steamboat Coliis-
ion in the River )" the various sounds
from the deep-toned whistle to tho
splash of the paddle Wheels, being inn
itated by this charming young recitator.
The Sd piece on the e.program was not
on "America of Yesterday, To day and
morrow" by Mr.. Peyton Sandoz-
but it was unique in being the only
male effort in graduating class of
II. 1t shows, in the ratio Of to 10.
how immeasurably superior our girls
are to our young men who have bad the
same opportunities of attending the
High School and yet can furnish only
one of their number to represent them
in a graduating class of IL.
Now, while High School education
may not exactly give young man
eoints in cock fight or poker game,
there is no doubt about it it would help
him in the struggle of life and fit him to
associate with the charming young
debutantes- who every year carry on
the hunors ut the High School. Boys OF
st. Landry. get move on ye! before
the petticOat regiment lnvades your
territory to the farthest limit and rele-
gate You to the realm of obscurlty.
Miss DoreMus, the Nightingale ot
the Teche, favored us with song
whizh was enthusiastically appiauded,
as was her encore song.
Miss Ida Andrus. then, I'D a we'll mod
ulated and distinct voice heard plainly
in eyery part of the large hall, gave u
recitation. Miss Andrus gives early
promise of great histrionic abiii-
tv. and we hope to hear more OF her on
the amateur stage.
Miss Lula Edwards, the charming
piano virtuoso, gave an Instrumental
solo on the piano, thoroughly executed.
Miss Edwards was the able accOmpa-
mist on the piano for the Cantata We'd
nesday night.
The exercises OF the pupils closed
with comic recitatiun by Miss Asa
Pulford, which was enthusiastically re-
evidencing her popularity aud
ability as an interpreter OF the comic
muse.
Prof. Hines, who was to have made
an address, was uDavOldably absent,
SO, the Hon. Lee Garland made an ex-
temporaneous address which was
cheered to the echo. and delivered the
Irion medal to Miss Gertie Sandoz, who
had the highest per cent in Geometry
Mr., Garland is much at home on an
occasion like this. as when addressing
"Gentleman of the jury"
The introductory remarks, which
opened the Commencement were made
by Prof. Harris, Principal Of the High
School, in which he succinctly reviewed
the work of the session and declared
that while not an ideal school, it was
way above the average. He compli'
mented the work OF teachers and nu-
nils, and was followed by Parish ,Supt
Frazee, who in his usual vigorous style
discussed every phase OF the subject
before presenting the happy recipients
with thele diplomas. The Commence
ment concluded with brilliant HOP
that lasted into the wee sma' hours
rounding off another red letter day Tor
the High School. ....