Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-06-13
ST. MARY's ACADEMY.
hat is so rare as a day in Jone
Then fever c0me nerfect DAYS.

20 sings Jne poet Lowell huu suCu
thought must have come to the large
number that gathered in Lannon's Opera
House yesterday to witness the forlieth
annual commencement exercises of St.
Mary's Academy school that for the
past ten years has been steadily growing
IN favor and popularity until today It
counts among its two hundred and nifty
pupils representatives of the best fam
lilies Of this city aud neighbOring towns.
The day was surely perfect one, and
the children, always lovely in their
snowy white, seemed more richly dow
cred than usual with the gifts for which
southern womanhood is noted grace
and beauty that tell their own tale OF
the culture OF the years.
Promptly at $3.50 the curtain went up
on tbs stage pnt lily decorated with
ferns, palms and countless bouquet, OF
beautiful flowers presented TO the fair
gradnstes who occupied seats on the
stsge during the greater pant OF the pro-
gramme. The opening number was
chorus, accompanied ty 6allie Paterson
and Margaret DAILY on the piano and
Alma Desio and Nancy Groh on violins.
1t was an effectiyel introduction to the
we'll rendered programme. "Charge OF
the Hussars" with Emma FAINT, Teresa
Waters, Ruth Gerlacher and Madeleine
Byrne at two pianos gave opportun ity
for musical iDterpr tslion for which they
we're ably qualified.
Nancy Katherine Groh, of this city,
was the salutatOfian of her class and her
subject. "Victurse Salutamns" I'VE
who are shout to live salute YOU WAS q
proof Of Miss Groh's ability along litera-
ry lines. In charming ver,e which she
rscited with esse and grace she babe a
warm welcome to all who had gatht red
to witness the graduation of the class OF
1908.
A splendid musical number, "Hun-
garlan Dance No. 2,"was ably execut ID
by Katherine Brill, Hazel Ale, Msude
Alleusworh and Mildred Hellmuth. The
wee tots then appeared on the stage and
as usual, proved tue fsvorites. They
were little mikmaids who, keeping time
to the sweet accompaniment of music
With their milking pals, went through
Al action song with the chsrn of child
hood that is always entertaining. They
meriled and received the encouragement
of hearty applause.
"Lut ,piel Overture" played by Lola
Ashton, Bernade,t, Allen, Agnes Gil.
roy and Ida Chilly was 0 sprightly num-
Der that gave evidence of musical talent
carefully cultivated. The work done 1T
St. MArY's along physical culture lines
was exeppli6ed ia two drills--the
juniors with dumb bells and the seniors
with wsnds. Both we're executed, as
Rev. Father Payne said in his closing
remarks, with precision and nicely Of
movement that West Point or Annapolis
students could not surpsss.
Mics Bernadette Allen, of Washing
ton, chose for her subject "rhe Adj
miraPs Lesson" which was suggested
by the reading OF Joaquin Miller's noted
poem, "Oolumbus." 1t was splendid
dissertation on the great lesson of per.
severance taught by Americas dis
coverer, and as Miss Allen had done
her subject justice with her pen, so, to,
her manner of delivery was ali ihst the
most critical could desire. Miss Allen
has spent six years at st. MsrS's as a
boardsr and she was yesterday presented
with beautiful gold medal, the gift of a
friend, as reward for perfect depOrt-
ment during that period.
Wagner's we known "Tannhauser
March" was ably executed by the talent
ed musicians, Helen Oorbett, Margaret
DAILY, Verna Btlle and Bertha Nugent,
and the audience showed their apprecia-
ton.
Miss Agnes GilroY, of this city, WAS
the class poet and her poem, 1.-THE Day
is Done" proved her deserving Of the
honor Ii was postical gem written in
iambic pentsmeter measure aud read
with feeliog and expression that made
II one of the best numbers of the after
noon.
Gertrude Reed and Katherine Wal
Ter, two musicians ofgreat promise, then
rendered Liszt's "Sorries de Vlenne" 10
a manner that gave evidence of high
degree of musical talert.
Miss Ella Hill of tlis city was vale
dictorian, and her subject, music, "'The
Language of the Soul" was timely
one, as she yesterday proved herself de-
serving of the besut 'ul gold medal ple-
scented to her as gradusta in the music
course. That Miss Hill is passionate
lover of music was evidenced By her
poem, written in blank verse, inter-
spersed with charming lyrics. which she
recited in manner tlat proved h'r
also the possessOr of much elocutionary
talent.
The fnal chorus, "The Waves of the
Danube" was q difficult one that gave
ample opportunity for the display of the
work done in voIHe culture. The young
vocalists did themselves ust ce and
made the number an ex cep,ionally fine
one.
The two graduates in instrumental
music, Ella Hill and Sallie Pat rson,
impressively intrput,d LISTS cele.
brat ID "Rhspsodie No. IA in a man.
ner that proved them matt r, of the de-
lightful art of trAnslating soul feelings
into music. Botl graduates are true
artists and tho round of applause which
rewarded their efforts and which also
rose when they received their medals
showed the audience WAS an appreciatIve
one.
Rev. Father Payne, of Clifton Forge,
made the commencement address, which
was thoughtful and encouraging. He