The Savannah morning news., 1904-06-23
Received Their

The event took place in the tbeater
which was crowded to the doors.
me stage was most attractively
adorned with draperies and palms
red and white, the colors of the cIas
OF 1904, predomnating in the hang.
ings.
When the curtain rose the sen.
ior classes entered from each sids
the graduates grouping themselves or
a platform at the rear, which was banl.
ed with small palms. Larger palms
lined the sides of the stage and from
overhead fell intertwined garlands Of
red and white. The picture formed hy
the girls in, their pure white dressee
carrying a chain of smilax. was q
charming one as they passed through
the steps of pretty march. Their
entrance was followed by the singing
or strauss song, THE Merry Wood
nymphs," with Miss Helen Mccormick
at the piano and orchestral accom-
paniment.
Miss Clare Oppenheimer then de-
ANered the salutatorq an excellent
piece of writing to which her clear
a regretful allusion to the absence of
Bishop Kelley, who for a number of
years has presided at the commence
ments, and from whose hands the
graduates are accustomed to receive
thelr rewards particular interest
was gwen to her remarks by the read
ing OF cable from the BishoD at
Rome extending congratulations to
the graduates
The high musical standard of the
academy, for which it's reputation is
established, was more than sustained
py the various musical mum.
pers, both vocal and instru-
mental, the piano execution be-
ing marked by a precision and finish
of technique most admirable. An ar
rangement of Merz's Valse BrilIiante
Tor three pianos was excellently play
ed by Misses Sallie Black and EuIa-
liza Feuger, Misses Ionic Willard and
Kate Gleason, Misses Alice Price and
Nellie Price. The other piano num-
bers were Kretschner's Coronation
March" and Mendelssohns "Midsum
mer Nights Dream" those who took
part IN the former being Misses H. Nc
Cormick, Nell Shuptrine, Mary Schaaf.
Cecilia Solomons, Sadie Hermes and
Jean Wood Bryant, and in the latter
Misses Gertrude Lyons. Mary Schaaf,
Sarah Collins, Sadie Hermes, MAY
Black, and Helen Mccormick. Pin
suits song "Primroses' was delight
fully sung by a quartette, with Miss
Helen Mccormick at the piano. All the
heavier numbers were sung and play
ed to orchestral accompaniment YAby
Prof Wiegand, and several instru-
ments.
The most original and wonderfully
pretty number was THE Southern
Girl, song in costume with panto-
IN to II.
that of the war, when Southern women
went gowned in homespun. The cur
tain rose upon quaint and charming
circle of youthful figures clad in short
Waisted, long -skirted gowns of dark
blue and white Bingham Upon their
heads were odd, old. fashioned bonnets of
white straw and muslin, With red roses
crushed under the brims, with long
muslin streamers to tie beneath the
chin, hanging loose to below the waist
Each held red rose in her hand, and
to the tune of THE Bonny Blue Flag"
with graceful gestures and low curt
sizes, sang the song of the homespun
gown and the Southern woman's pride
in it.. 1t was a remarkably pretty eff
feet, and greatly delighted the audi
enoe. The musical accompaniment was
played by Miss Sarah Collins and
Prog. j. Wiegand, on the piano and
violin. The Southern sentiment thus
happily introduced was suggested again
in the pantomime that followed, Mus
ic on the Rappahannock," a number
in a different way quite as pleasing.
The story of the two armies, the blue
and the gray, encamped on opposite
sides of the Rappahanncck, each rails
ing its own patriotic airs in defiant
spirit until the strains of Home, Sweet
Home" strike the responsive chord in
all, was explained in the prologue by
Miss Marguerite Haylor.
The curtain then rose upon
the seniors grouped about Miss
Gertrude Lyons, who stood on
q dais in the center of the stage
and recited the poem while the girls
gathered around her interpreted with
her in graceful and varied gesture its
sentiment. This particular form Of
pantomime has been made familiar by
the convent commandments in past
years, and is always so beautifully
done as to excite general admiration.
Miss Lyons recitation was remarkably
fine, her low, clear voice, expressive
movements and entire absence of af-
fectation, being all charming. During
the pantonime the appropriate airs
were played very softly on the piano
and violin by Miss Boyle and Prof.
Wiegand.
The reading of the valedictory by
Miss Loretto Mcmahon added another
interesting episode to the attractive
programme. Miss McMahon's paper
was gratefully reminiscent of school
days and school joys, and was written
and read with grace and feeling. She
took occasion, like the salutatorian, to
express regret at Bishop Keileys ina
blity to be present.
The Bishops absence was indeed the
cause of many affectionate illusions
and regretful comment throughout the
evening, in the addresses of the girls
and In the little talk made by Rev.
Robert F. Kennedy, rector of the Ca
thedral who presided in his stead. AT
the close of the programme, after
crowning the graduates and presenting
the diplomas and other honors, Father
Kennedy spoke a few words, apprecia-
tive of their efforts and success, en-
couraging them in the life about to
begin, and extending his personal good
wishes.
After the reading OF the valedictory,
The Graduates Farewell" a song
composed by Prof. Wiegand especial
~ for the occasion. was sung, with
orchestral accompaniment.
Academic honors were awarded 10
Miss Gertrude Loretto Mcmahon, Miss
Clare Mathilde Oppenheimer. Miss Nell
lie Agatha Mccarthy Miss Sarah
katharine Collins, Miss Mary Agnes
Black. Miss Mary Elizabeth Schaaf'
Miss Gertrude Mary Lyons, Miss FL
len Marie Cannon, Miss Mary Augusta
Gibbons.
A diploma and the Becker gold
medal" for excellence. dictionary Tor
best examination fn written spelling,