The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-06-13
CLOSED ITS YEAR
EXERCISES OF SAVANNAH PREPAR-
ATORY SCHOOL.
PLEASED A LARGE AUDIENCE.
GUARDS HALL WAS FILLED BY
FRIENDS OF THE SCHOOL.

An Innovation in the Exercises Was
the Presentation of the Fourth Act
of the "Mcrchnnt of Venice"-The
Youthful Players Acquitted Them
selves abIy-COntest In Dec
IamatiOn Was Very Interesting.
Was Won by Claude Girardeau.
Watches and Medals Presented to
the Honor BOys-Address Was De-
Hvered by Col. G. A. Gordon.
The commencement exercises of the
Savannah Preparatory School were
held last night at the Guards Hall.
The popularity of the school, its head
master. Maj. Ormond B. Strong, and of
its teachers was attested by the large
audience. The seating capacity of the
hall was inadequate and the standing
room was barely equal to the emergen-
cy. Despite the fact that the hall was
uncomfortably crowded and that there
were many who could not secure a
more advantageous coigne than that
near the doorway, everybody enjoyed
the exercises to the utmost, and an
other success was added to the list that
Maj. Strong has made for his school.
An innovation in the graduating ex-
ercises was introduced, the fourth act
of the Merchant of Venice" supple
menting the declamatory programme.
The portrayal of the characters of
Shakespeare's wonderful play was ex-
cellent in players so young as those
who presented it. The costuming was
correct, and the act was we'll staged
The following were the dramatis per-
sonae:
Duke of Venice, w. S. Pottinger, Jr.
Antonio, a merchant. Frank E. Law
| renee.
Bassanio. Gratiano (his friends),
Archie 1. Bulloch, Allen S. Cults
Shylock, a rich Jew, Claude L. Girar-
deau.
Portia. wife of Bassanio, Francis
Dasher.
Nerissa, wife of Gratiano, Percival
Moses.
Following the play were the decla-
nations. AS he won the second high
| est place in the graduating class, Mr..
Archie 1. Bulloch made the salutatory
address, acquitting himself admirably.
When the applause had subsidized, Mr..
| Allen Cults recited Sunday Fishing
| in manner that quite won the au-
dience, his negro dialect being excel
| lent. Trick Versus Trick" was the
title of a recitation by Mr.. Claude l.
| Girardeau, and this proved to be the
most enthusiastically received of them
all. Mr. Frank E. Lawrence, who
won the first honor, closed the con-
test in defamation with his valedic-
tory. The efforts of the boys were in
| terspersed with selections rendered by
| ROSenfeldS Orchestra
Col. G.. A. Gordon was introduced by
| Maj, Strong. Col. Gordon delivered
! short address, reviewing the achieve
ments of the Savannah Preparatory
| School during the brief time since it's
establishment and giving the graduates
| wholesome advice relative to their ca
reer in college.
Prizes were then presented by Maj.
| Strong. AS he made his announce
| ments and the recipients of the prizes
made their way from the audience to
| the rostrum. they were warmly ap-
| plauded The prizes were watches
| and medals. The watches were award
| ed as follows: Mathematics. Mr. Ed
win S. Binswanger; Latin, Mr. Archi-
bald 1. Bulloch; English, Mr.. Joseph
Hull. Jr.; History, Mr.. Frank
E. Lawrence. The medals We're
awarded as follows: Geogra-
| A'ltoiiEtl' MI. - val .. Muses. HIS
tory, Mr.. w. SwoI Sawyer; spelling,
Mr.. Harold Vetsburg. The judges of
the defamation contest. Rev. Charles
H Strong, DR.. J. G. Van Marter and
| Mr. James Butner, voted that the
medal should be awarded to Mr.. Gil
rardeau, and that young gentleman re-
ceived it. Maj. Strong expressed the
| pleasure it afforded him to present a
second prize to Mr.. Cults
After the presentation of the prizes
Maj Strong spoke briefly, concluding
with an invitation to all to remain and
participate in the dancing. This many
did, and the opportunity was seized
! for showering congratulations upon the
happy winners of the prizes