The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-05-29
END OF BRIGHT SCHOOL YEAR
Commencement at the Oxfrd Semina-
ry-Interesting Class Day Exercises
Art Reception and Annual Con-
Cert
Oxford, II. c., May q.

NA~ ASP~ "a N"S
which had been beautifully decorated
for the occasion The day was perfect,
ideal commencement weather. The
class exercises were under the control
and management of the class, their
president presiding. 4 large and bril-
liant audience assembled to do them
the honors possible to bestow upon
them. For the class has made an en-
yiable record. It's influence has been
felt for good during all their stay here
and not n of them has ever received
a demerit, though they nave been here
for terms varying from five to three
years. The school has never sent out
six girls better fitted in heart and mind
to do faithful service for humanity.
Three Of them received the degree of
Bachelor of Arts: Ida Lucille Powell,
Columbus county; Mamie Victoria
Luther, Wake county; Mabel Estelle
Stallings, Franklin county. Three re-
ceived the degree of Bachelor of Let
tiers: Pauline Lois Whitley, Wake
county; Rowena Margaret Daniel,
Franklin county; Lucy Cleone Lilies,
Arson county. Bachelor of Music:
Evelyn Louise Buchanan, Granville
county.
Miss Powell spoke the Greetings, Miss
Luther gave the History Of the class,
Miss Whitley recited the Poem, Miss
Daniel ave the Prophecy. Miss Lilies
read the Will, Miss Stallings spoke the
Parting Words.
President Hobgood's report was, as
usual, most encouraging. 1t has been
his good fortune for ten sessions to say
that each session was better than the
preceding one. The percentage of in
crease has been from ten to twenty each
year. The total enrolment Of board
ing pupils during the year was lis.
This takes no ccOunt of the day pa
tronage. Many valuable improve
ments were made during the year, new
pianos, new scientific apparatus, new
furniture purchased, the building de-
stroyed by fire in November rebuilt
and occupied, and everything about the
school indicates a high degree of pros
perity.
He reported only one vacancy in the
corps of teachers; one of the assistant
music teachers, Miss Williams, has ac-
cepted a similar position in the Ran
dolph-Macon Woman's college of
Lynchburg. Her place in the seminary
is to be supplied by Miss jamie Lacy,
who is a graduate and postgraduate Of
the music department of the seminary,
and who has just returned from ex-
tensive study of music in the Metro
politan College of Music in New York
| oitu Two of tho tnaohorc will on f0
| Cornell University during the summer,
one to study history and literature,
and the other to study Science. One of
the music teachers will &C to the Paris
Conservatory Of Music, all to return for
their work in the fall term.
ART RECEPTION.
From three to five this reception was
held. Large numbers of people came
to see the work lone by the pupils. This
department continues it's high stand
ard. The teacher in charge is a grad.
uate of Cooper Union Art school OF
J New York, whose study was continued
under several of the greatest artists Of
the country. The pictures on exhibit
ton showed the most careful, pains
taking work, some of the work of thu
advanced pupils showing marked excel
lence, all of such character as to re
fleet the greatest credit upon thu
training given.
ANNUAL CONCERT.
It has been the custom of the schoO
for many years to give its concerts IL
the afternoon at 5 clock. At thi'
hour the music loving people come to
gether for the sake of the music, am
not the crowd for the sake Of converse
ton, so perfect order is maintained
and those who wish to hear the musi'
are undisturbed. These concerts hav'
become famous. The music is mos
carefully selected and rendered witt
intelligence and appreciation. The un
usual number of advanced pupils wa
shown by the number and character o
piano solos. The rendering of tn
beautiful quartette showed careful
training. and the choruses by tn
s~ight-singfng class was we'll received
There were several vocal solos, dues
and duartettes, and altogether tn
concert was the finest ever given b,
us. This department has been for sew
eral years under the dictatorship O
Miss Thurman, and it is not too mucl
TO claim that she is the equal OF an,
director ever employed in the schoo
though for many years foreign profes
sors held the dictatorship. Her pupils
. after finishing her cours are permitte
! to enter the advanced classes OF tn
Metropolitan College OF Music of Ne'
York and rank among the best in tia
great conservatory. She and her as
sistants were trained there.
Mention should be made of the exec
lence of the playing Of Miss Louis
Buchanan, Upon whom was conferre
the degree of Bachelor Of Music. Ihl
Is a rare honor. The standard OF graC
uation being high, few reach it.
With the senior reception IN I'd
evening, largely attended by b youn
people of this and adjoining countle
: closed the most prosperous session tn
= school has ever enjoyed. The pro