The Savannah morning news., 1900-06-28
WITH WREATHS OF LAUREL.
GRADUATES ST. VINCENT's CROWN
ED WITH CuAPi.ETS.

IOTian OF the Niass-Ihe Otner
Honors and Those Who Won
Them-The Music Well Rendered
and the TabIeaux of Striking
Beauty-A Tribute to Bishop Beck
er - His Successors Eloquent
words TO the Glass.
The graduating exercises of the class of
1900 of ST. Vincents Academy took pace
at the theater yesterday afternoon, begin
ing at o'clock The programme was a
potpourri Of readings, instrumental music,
tableaux and song. concluding by very
earnest and eloquent address by Bishop
Kelley
The exercises ended one of the most sue
cessful years in the history Of the acade-
my and it was fitting, therefore, that they
should have been characterized by the
high order of excellence that every num-
Der displayed. Other than the disturb
ing accompaniment that emanated from
the thunderstorm that came up during the
exercises, preventing the audience from
hearing well some of the numbers. there
was nothing on the programme that any
one would have wished omitted or that
anyone failed 10 enjoy.
The curtain rose shortly after the ap-
pointed hour, displaying The six Members
of the graduating class, with the mem
bers of the senior classes OF the academy
grouped in pyramidal form behind them
The girls were in the conventional white
of graduation. the stage setting was dain-
lilly pretty, palms and ferns had been used
bountifully in the decora ion aud the gen
eral effect aroused an instructive and i'm
pulsive thrill of appreciation. From the
ranks of the graduates stepped 70 ward
Miss Helen Lyons, the class salu at0rian
who delivered a greeting, full Of sweet
phrases and touched with girlish g ace.
Miss Lyons greeting was first to Bish-
CD Kelley, who occupied a seat N one of
the boxes. She alluded TO his kindly SYM
pathy with the work of the school, his
never-faing store of encouragement for
the memb rs Of the class and mis- interest
in their efforts to attain success These
had end AIRED him to every one of them
and imbued them with more than ord.n-
ary appreciation for the insplra ion of his
presence on the occasion of their gradua-
ton. The greeting 10 the clergy, who
were largely represented and to the
friends Of The academy, who hllei the
theat r, was no less graceful and sincere
Miss Mary A. Kennedy followed the sa-
lutatorian with an atfectionate tribute
TO the memory of The late Re Rev.
Thomas A. Becker. Bishop Of Savannah,
who was one of the most constant friends
and one of the staunchest and most
loyal advocates the academy has ever
had. Miss Kennedy gave high praise 10
the late bishop. telling of his eminence in
every department OF human endeavor, as
the scholar, as the ruler of his diocese,
as the shepherd of his flock. The death
Of Bishop Becker was felt by the school
to be one Of the severest blows it had
ever received and the tribute hat Miss
Kennedy paid to his memory voices the
sentiment of faculty, graduates and un-
dergraduates alike.
One of the prettiest numbers on The
programme was the vocal duet. Katy
Did, Katy Didn't" which was sung with
much humorous expression by Miss Ge-
nevie Gaudry and Miss Ada Morgan. The
selections played by the Mandolin club
were universally enjoyed.
The graduates .recited the class poem,
written by Miss Elizabeth Hines. Of the
class of 1892 and dedicated to 1900. The
poem has for its subject and inspiration
the class motto. "Esto in hnem tidelis,
sentiment that it Celebrates with simple
fidelity and a much more than ordinary
display of the poetic gift. Miss Julia
Boyle led the class in the recitation OF
the poem.
Miss Wesfeott Sang Rock Me to Sleep
Mother" very sweetly while the re-
sponse Angels win Rock Thee to
Sleep" was sung with equal beauty of eX-
preston by Miss Meyers. AS the strains
of the first song died away, Miss Meyers
appeared on the stage. Miss Westcotts
head dropping on the back of the chair
in which she sat, " in slumber. As the
response was sung the scene was unroled
and a tabeau, THE Dream" was dis
played 1t represented the angel host
lowering. in winged beauty, over the
sleeping suppliant.
The most enthusiastic applause Of the
evening was evoked by the Desarte exer-
cises of the senior CLASSES. Each Of the
girls carried a white veil and with these
a number of very beautiful effects were
produced, all with the ease and grace ami
absence of effort that form the distinctive
characteristics of the Desarte school of
physical expression The concluding pic
ture, with the dainty face of Mss May
Hogan appearing from the center of what
seemed to be diVerging flower petals and
the faces CT her classmates fringng the
tableau, was especially pretty and eff
fective.
The graduates were crowned and the
academic honors conferred by Bishop Kei
ley. As each recipient of prize or medal
or diploma received from the hands of the
Bishop the reward of her scholastic efforts
she knelt apd kissed the episcopal ring.
The awards were as follows:
senior Is and & CIaSSeS-OfOld badge, for
Christian doctrine was awarded Miss
Katharine McCredmond, and gold badges
for excellence TO Mary Nugent and Mary
Crohan The following young ladies, hav-
ing attained the highest averages IN the
monthly examinations. competed for
the class prize; the Misses Mary Nerdery.
Mary Nugent. Mary Brown, Margaret
Barrett, Katharine McCredmond and
Mary Jordan The prize won by Miss
Margaret Barrett. The prize for spelling
was awarded Miss Mary Nerdery.
Senior A Class-The Cafferty gold medal
for Christian doctrine was awarded Miss
Katharine Blum, who won also the die
tionary offered for the best examination
in written spelling The gold badge for
excellence was drawn for by Miss Kath-
arine Blum and Marie X. NJ. McMahon and
won by Miss Katharine Blum. A pre-
MUM for excellence was awarded Miss
Mcmahon.
Academic Honors.
The class OF 1900 consisting OF Miss An
ME Elizabeth Houston, Miss Mary Angela
Kennedy. Miss Ellen Angela Ly-
ons, Miss Julia Mercedes Boyle. Miss
Mary Veronica Christian Miss Ella An
ME OMara received the highest honors
OF ST. Vincent's Academy for having
successfully completed the prescribed