The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1900-05-24
CLOSING EXERCISES
OF the Big Stone Gap Craded
School Friday Night.

On last Friday one of the most
successful years in the history Of the
Big Stone Gap Graded School closed
At night an elaborate program was
rendered at the Southern Methodist
Church.
Promptly at half past eight, when
the house was already full to over
flowing. the newly organized Concert
Band, Of our town, struck mp the
Action Quick Step. Then came
song, Sweet Story, which was sung
by the entire school Of between two
and three hundred children and
young people. Rev. Mr. Hubbard
of the NJ. +. Church was on the stage
during the song, and offered an earn
est prayer. A part Of the second
grade, the third and fourth grades
marched Immediately upon the am
pie stage and sang America with
gusto.
Several ladies' in the town gave in
strumental music during the year,
while Miss Rosa Skeen taught regu-
larly in room near the school build
ing. Many of these pupils took part
in the entertainment. Miss Katie
Richmond, Miss Hayden's pupil, rem
dered the Ben Hur Chariot Race in
very pleasing way. She was follow
ed by number of girls and boys who
told what they would do When
School is Out. They closed with
little march to the tune of Yankee
Doodle, whistled. Howe Cochran,
in Funny Land Stories, told about
the Ball at the Arctic Zone; Nina
Williams showed how Kitty Cats
Grow on trees, with their tails hang
ing down; Joshua Bullitt, Jr., began
to describe how Pug Dogs Grow on
trees, when his own pet dog appeared
on the stage to inform the young
man, by means Of wagging tail and
various winks and mods that there
must be some mistake somewhere,-
at any rate both came off with flying
colors, having performed their parts
we'll; and Clarence Cawood assured
the audience that there was all Island
Where Babies Grow. Next came the
Twelve Little Mothers with their
"dollies dear" from the second grade.
The doll drill was pretty, and their
lullaby was very sweet. Here the
Band inserted in fine style Day Star
Schottlsche.
A small portion of each day during
the year has been given to Kinder
garten work, by the first grade teach
err, Miss Hayden, and some OF the
daily games and songs of the little
people were given on the stage. Their
little program of half an hour was
enjoyed very much by the entire au-
dience, and especially the visiting
little folks. Just here allow us to
say that the kindergarten feature OF
our school is a very valuable one and
should be continued A child can
spend part of its time in this class
and still in a given time accomplish
more in its book work than II 1T were
made to drone over alphabet and slate
from the time it enters school. Our
legal school age is five years, and
many children at that age are not yet
ready for the formal work OF the
school. Their ideas are developed
and frightened by the kindergarten
methods. Their very plays are used
to educate them. Parents, don't
make a mistake, encourage this in
stitutiOn.
The Charge of the UhlanS, piano
duet, by Misses Alice Collier and
Rosa Amburgey, showed careful
training and skill, and received due
need of applause. Lena Body recited
the Old Love in taking manner, and
the Band again played, this time the
Young men rendered the Czarina
Quick Step to the delight of all.
Here Carlisle Skeen in quite an
effective and oratorcal style told the
people there assembled that he Does
not Wear Dresses Any More, because
he is a big boy. He is destined to
be an orator.
The Arrival of Santa Claus, a
piano duet, was played by Misses
Matte and Cummins Bullitt, with
graceful touch and beautiful effect.
After this came the Festival song by
number of first, second and third
grade childuen. The children sang
very sweetly in this. Then Janet
Bailey and Corrinne Taylor told
Where the Daisies Grow, as only
little girls can stcll such pleasant
news.
The May Song by the girls from
the second grade was enjoyed by all.
These little girls sing like the birds