Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-06-15
Closing Exercises
At The Y. S. D. B,
Best Session for Results in History
OF lnstiluti0n--G Gratifying Exhib-
its in Every Department Of
School Work. ETC.. Etc.

l
4 School Work. ETC.. Etc.
The final exercises that marked the
close of another term at the Virginia
School for the Deaf and the Blind,
were held In the concert hall Wednes
day morning and were largely at tend-
ed in spite of bad weather
The evening before was given The
annual concert by the blind depart
ment, which was in every way an en-.
Joyable and interesting occasion.
Early in the evening the people began
going and by the opening hour crowd
had filed the auditorium. the windows
and all available landing room about
the doors. The program was so well
RENDERED, so excellent in every mum
Der that it held throughout the even
ing even that portion of the audience
that had to stand. The organ and
piano solos by Miss Maud Ballard
were particularly good. as were the
numbers by the Orchestra and Man.
dolln Club. These ELECTED hearty ap-
plause, but the pupils were not allow.
ed to respond to the enchOres. A point
noted and commented upon was the
feeling and expression with which the
young musicians rendered their parts.
Their souls seemed to be in their work
with blissful ignorance of their au
dience. that We who have eyes to see
would fainemulate. The loss of one
sense doubtless quickens another, and
so with the blind-their voices, their
touch on stringed or key instrument
is inspiring, their training perfect.
In no respect was this last feature
more apparent than in the chorus
work. Never before did we realize
there was such music in ''Annie Lau.
rie" with variations; difficult, but in
perfect time and harmony. Selections
from the Opera Isle of Spice" by the
Mandolin Club, ended the program
with one of its most enjoyable num-
Eers.
Wednesday morning program less
musical, but no less interesting. was
given. This included practical exhibits
of the training in 9th the blind and
deaf departments. Tie speech and
lip-reading by 1st and End year deaf
pupils. taught by Mrs. Stout and Miss
La Rue. was exceedingly creditable
to both teachersiand pupils.
Reading aud writing point type by
LIST year blind pupils, Miss Everett
teacher, was also of great merit. The
exercise given by the High class. Deaf
department-Mr. Euritt teacher, was
very entertaining. High class in type
writing and geometry by the blind,
was another most satisfactory exhibit
The distribution of prizes and medals
by DIR. q. w. Butts. President of the
Board, concluded the exercises.
Immediately after the chapel exer-
cises there was an exhibit of shop work,
sewing. knitting, manual trainin G
work, cooking, etc, which, considered
from any viewpoint, was remarkably
good. SAch skill in needIework as was
displayed by the blind girls, is scarce
ly credible. While the cooking class
had a table of daintily prepare
edibles that tempted the taste and ap-
petite to a degree. The man ual
training, in charge of Miss Hook.
made an exceedingly creditable show
ing. Though she has only had charge
of this department since January 1st,
the skill and proficiency SHOWN by
pupils is very marked. Crude models
in clay by the beginners, is followed
by the perfect work of others in small
wicker baskets, mats, work baskets
napkin rings and numerous fancy ar
ticles. The articles in iron work rep.
resented a new feature and made a
pretty display of useful articles sue b
as brackets, candle sticks, pen hold
ers. etc. Taken as whole the work
of the session is most satisfactory in
every department.. Speaking on this
subject superintendent Bowles ex
pressed himself as greatly pleased with
the years work, declaring it the best
the Institution has yet enjoyed. Zach
year." said he, there is some appre-
ciable advance along every line of en-.
deav0r, so that each session may be
truly said to outstrip it's predecessor.