Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-31
VILLA DE C1ANTAL BY GROWTH OF
AMONG SCHOOLS OF MIDDLE WEST

! Among the institutions that have
tended toward the upbuilding OF
Rock Island, financially and cul-
turally. villa de Chantal holds a
prominent place. Its growth, dur
ing the past 10 years, has been al
most phenomenal. From a small
! private school, conducted in the old
Reynolds home on Fifth avenue, 1t
has become one Of the leading edu-
cational institutions of the middle
west; that It has won more than
local reputation is evident from its
recognition by the'University Of H.
linois and the North Central asso-
citation. 1t Is also afiiliated with
the Catholic university Of Washing
ton, D. C.
The year Just closing has been
one Of marked prosperity at the
villa. After a severe visitation of
the influenza in December, 1918,
the school reopened early in jan
uary. 1919. with a full enrolment.
The time lost during the epidemic
was made up by holding classes
every Saturday.
One Of the first rotations on the
new years record was the house
warming to celebrate the taking
possession Of the new bakery. This
annex Is equipped with the latest
machinery and other appliances to
tighten labor and insure sanitary
/ products in the baking department.
This equipment is the parting gift
Of the class Of 1918. who left in one
Of the city banks a generous fund
to be applied for the Improvements
Of their alma mater. This latest
improvement In conjunction with
the kitchen equipment, a gift from
the alumni in 1917. leaves nothing
to be desired in the culinary de-
! partment of Villa de Chantal.
The inflrmary, specially prepared
to provide for the isolation of con-
tageous diseases was ready for oc-
cupancy early in 1919. 1t is a sub
ject for congratulat.on. however,
that up to the present this apart
ment has not yet been requisition-
ed for segregation, and has served
only as delightful guest room,
looking out upon the picturesque
view Of the Mississippi, with the
cities Of Davenport and Rock Is
land on either bank.
On the last evening Of the carni-
val, March 4, the sisters entertain
ed the tri-city chapter of the alum
nae. At the close delightful So
cial reunion, the treasurer of the
organization presented Mother
Agnes 500 to- be disposed of ac-
cording to her good pleasure.
During the year the routine OF
school work was diversified with
lestures, artists recitals, vocal, in
strumental and literary programs
and, last but not least to the heart
Of the school girl, various social
entertainments and dramatic per-
formances by home talent.
Field Day Events.
Notwithstanding the serious
drawbacks occasioned by the infiu-
enza during the winter months OF
1918, the villa girls were in ex-
cellent training for the field day
exercises, which are always an at
tractive feature of the commence
ment week. The various interpre-
tative dances were especially well
presented and the participants in
the athletic sports displayed skill
as well As enthusiasm.
The silver cup which now adorns
the library was won by the sue
cessful competitors in the tennis
tournament.
The field day activities were I'M
der the auspices Of the Juniors. who
presented the proceeds. $500, to the
Seniors to swell their parting fund
for alma mater. The presentation
was made at q tea-dance given by
the Juniors in honor Of the Seniors.
The GROWING events of the school
year we're the graduation program
and the class play on June II
and IL. Robin Hood and his fol-
lowers, together with Prince John
and his intrigues. transferred Villa
de Chantal, Rock Island, into an
English estate when the Senior
class Of the academy presented its
play Sherwood" before an audi
e1ce of several hundred. A por-
ton of the campus had been roped
of to accommodate the crowd, a
natural semi-circle of lawn edging
the ravine forming the stage As
dusk approached. a sunset effect
was produced by electric lights
thrown from the building. In the
closing scene, the lighting arrange
ment brought the heavy foliage sur
rounding the stage into relief maxi
ing a romantic setting for the
dances of the frefiies and the
fairies. Fifty little folk contribut-
ed to this scene. The performance
began promptly at o'clock. Bleu-
er's orchestra played the overture
and during the intermissions.
Each Of the young women had
the lines Of her part well learned
and considerable dramatic talent
urer Of the Reserve Trust COM
pany, who is vice president of the
board Of directors and ia in charge