The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-06-23

On Tuesday evening, June Is, 1920,
the annual commencement of st. eJo-
seph's Academy was celebrated at the
Academy of Music.
The carefully prepared program
presented was among the most enter
tanning of the many that have been
enacted during the years past. TO
Miss Eulalie kirkland was given the
sa1utatoryea and to Miss Myrtle Lee F,itz
Gerald was awarded the honor as val
edictorian Of the graduating class.
Both OF these selections were we'll
written, and rendered with ease.
+ The program opened with the
chant, "our Father by the entire
student body of st. Joseph's Acauemy.
Following this the graduates were
awarded their respective honors by
the Rev. J. F. Mahoney, assisted by
1.-THE Rev j. D. Quinn.
The music department contributed
their share to the entertainment Of
the evening by the rendition of several
difficult but well mastered selections,
;J,cluding the "Polonaise,'' Chopin. by
.Iiss Eulalie Kirkland, THE Magic
Flute,' Krug, by the Misses Eulalie
Kirkland, Margaret Heidt and Cath
arine Warren, "Papillon,' Grieg, by
Miss Kathleen Spears, and Second
Et-lde," Rubenstien, by Miss Kathleen
Spears. This last selection is the sixth
most difficult piece that has ever been
composed, but the manner in which
Miss Spears. rendered this compost
ton, memorized in six weeks, shows
the result of earnest effort and good
instruction.
After the recital the class poem,
"ISe Two Rivers was recited by
the n1ae graduates. to the accompani-
ment Of soft music. A chorus COM
posed of the entire high school de-
partment sang, 1.-The Barcarole, y
Belle Mutt
The Junior chorus clark Tis the
Cuckoo a little song and drill was
performed very gracefully by the ju-
nior class.
Miss Matte Smith read an interest
ing account of the origin, duties and
customs Of the yestal Virgins, an an
cient form Of worship by the Greeks
and Romans, who, by means Of keep
ing a fire burning from year to year
in a temple in charge Of the Vestal
Virgins paid tribute to the goddess,
Vesta Mater. The Virgins entered in
the dim light, and by means of Sybirs
commands performed the vestal rites.
The scene was peculiarly impressive
because of, its solemn and graceful
movement, in the beautiful interpre-
taticn of a scene of worship Of centu-
ries past.
The entertainment closed with a
beautiful Butterfly Drill" The cos
tunes of various bright colors. turn
ed the stage for few moments into
a veritable flower garden with dane
ing butterflies.
The Rev. J. L. O'Brien, distin-
guished clergyman and the Tounder
of the Bishop England High School Of
Charleston, S. c., closed the program
with an. address in which he COM
mended the en- ire school, for their
part in the program, congratulated
the Sisters of Mercy for the wonderful
accomplishment in the graduating
classes, and wished the nine 5radu-
ates much success, and hearty
1'Godspeed.'
Honors were distributed as follows:
Roll of Honor for the scholastic
year, won by Miss Hermyne Mitchell.
Department gold nae5a. won by
Miss Eunice Jenkins.
Church history gold medal won by
Miss Susie Lanier.
Christian doctrine gold medal won
by Miss Dorothy Bray.
Arithmetic gold medal won by Miss
Arlle Mae Barnum.
Perfect attendance gold medal won
by Miss Camilla DuRant.
A gold medal was awarded Miss
Eulalia Kirkland for improvement in
music.
A gold medal was awarded Miss