Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1903-06-12
Closing Exercises Of the v. S. D. B.

n The people of Staunton always mai
ifest great interest in the commences
ment exercises of the Virginia SchOt
= for the Deaf aud the Blind. This wee
was no exception, they flocked to tn
Institution and crowded the large au
ditOrium beyond its seating capacit
both Tuesday night at the concert ant
Wednesday morning at the final exer
cises. This excellent school has JUS
closed it's best year with an ATTENDANT,
of 223 pupils, and Supt. Bowles will
his corps of we'll trained and ef1icien,
teachers and officers, is to be cOngrat
nlated upon the good work they have
done for the Common wealth.
| The visitor who went through the
large and well appointed buildings,
inspected the work shops and the me-
chanical work of the pupils. and then
witnessed their proficiency at the ex-
hibition Wednesday,, in reading, writ
ing. music and defamation by the
blind, and lip reading and speech and
mathematics by the deaf pupils.
acknowledged that signal success had
been attained in every department.
We have not the space to tell all that
the audience saw the bright children
do and can give but few instances.
Miss Toda's first year pupils surpris-
ed every one by their reading and
writing, and Mr.. Williams first year
little deaf children distinguished
themselves, especially a little fellow
from Smythe county by the name of
Mays. Mrs. Euritt's pupils who had
never heard sound, spoke so distinct
ly, from the lip motion of their teach
er. as to be heard by all in the room.
The comment from strangers was:
Wonderful, wonderfuIr' Four little |
blind boys-Terry, McCandlish, Brunk
and Dellinger-played a march on two
pianos which any soldier would have
been glad to step by. Also declama-
lion by Jensen Stevens little blind
boy remarkable for his precise articu-
alton and clear voice. He won the
)est disclaimers gold medal.
Directed by Prof. G. D. Euritt, IL
,irls, in white. by request, gave
Nearer My God To Thee" in the
'raceful and impressive sign language,
While Miss Elsie Hamilton sang the
words in her sweet clear voice. This {
xercise was so beautiful and tender ,
bat tears came to the eyes of many.
DIR. W. N. Scott closed the exercises a
nth feeling prayer, and the session
1923 was ended. 8
Two full graduates in the deaf de-
artment received their diplomas, as
upt. Bowles stated, after passing a
gid examination on questions furnish
l them by Gallaudet College, which
coupled four days of hard work. They L
re Miss Mary Agnew Scott of letters n
lie, Va, and Miss Nancy Elizabeth "
copper of Roanoke. They will 60 to .
allaudet next session and receive d
ON the U. S. government 5000 a year 1e
lch until they complete the course. II
hese will make six students that this II
will have sent there, thus 10
ceiving at this time 81 200 year for SO
lrginia pupils from the National az
vernment. DR.. Butts, president of 81
e board, delivered the diplomas, sl
ICES and medals. ID
The Board at its meeting Wednes 10
y filled two important places in the Pl
'tltution. They elected Miss Nellie ID
lmgardner Of Staunton, teacher of 10
Jiculation in the deaf department to
the vacancy caused by the resigna-
m of Miss Chichester. Mrs. Annie
ECKER Mays of Lynchburg, was elect
matron to succeed Mrs. Camp who Co
o retires.