Evening star., 1937-05-30

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passing on Of that which Is best and
loveliest In the spirit Of the Potomac
School.
In Cap and Gown.
Commencement exercises at the
Mount Vernon Seminary, which
crowns an eminence at the intersec-
ton Of Massachusetts, and Nebraska
avenues, are held in cap and gown in
the Elizabeth Somers Memorial
Chapel, whose lines are as architec-
turally perfect and satisfying as those
OF Christopher Wren replica in some
chaste New England countryside. This
year the commencement address will
be OF unusual interest, for it is slated
to be delivered by DR.. Roswell Gray
Ham, president-elect Of Mount Hol-
yoke College, whose succession to the
post that has hitherto known only
woman In all of this educational insti-
tutlon's 100 years of history, has
rocked academic circles and generally
Mount Holyoke's alumnae groups, pro
and con, in particular. Distinctive of
Mount Vernon commencements is the
memorial wreath-laying ceremony,
which precedes the exercises In the
chapel, when representatives of the
faculty. the alumnae and the school
unite in placing wreaths upon each of
the two chapel gates, one in memory
OF Elizabeth Somers, founder OF this
famous scnool for girls, and the other
OF Mrs Hensley, its beloved head mis-
tress for succeeding generations of its
classes.
American University, Mount Vernon
Semlnary's collegiate neighbor, is
sponsored by the Methodist church,
whose bishop is usually an honored
guest at its commencement affairs.
These are held largely in the open
and are famous for their friendly
spirit OF good comradeship and of
interest upon the part of faculty,
lower classmen and women in those
who are faring forth from the insti-
tuition to take up their life careers.
With commencement at Miss
Madeira's there is the association of
radiant girlhood against setting of
scenic beauty in the immediate
countryside about Washington. Al
ways held in the open, Madeira COM
mencement week luck" has to date
maintained its apparent stand-in with
the forecasting powers that be Of the
Weather Bureau. Across the scene,
century-old trees cast their lengthen-
ing. late afternoon shadows as the
June sunlight seems to focus itself
upon the two single lines of white
clad graduates carrying their tradi-
tional class clusters of crimson roses
as they advance through aisles of
native shrubbery and pine toward
that central focal point, the natural
plateau, which constitutes the plat
form. There they sit facing the gen.
eral assembly during the schools final
exercises for them.
Still another traditional feature at
Madelras Is the supper afterward on
the terrace overlooking Black Pond
and the Potomac's winding way as the
sun sets and gently oncoming dusk
writes "flnis" to four years of work
and play together
With commencement time at the
Girls Cathedral School and st.
Adams School for Boys, both of which
are within the Cathedral Close, is
| linked the ritual of the Episcopal
service. Diplomas at both Of these
institutions are presented at the con-
clusion Of a Cathedral service and
usually in person by the Bishop of
Washington.
Scene at Peace Cross.
Particularly colorful and unique in
the case of st. Adams finals is the
| awarding OF the schools prizes by
Headmaster Lucas at the Peace Cross
Immediately following the graduation
exercises in the Cathedral. After this
the assemblage winds its way on foot
through the Cathedral grounds to the
doors Of the Little Sanctuary, where
each graduating class dedicates a
stained glass window.
This June. Immediately following
the dedication ceremonial, the Bishop
OF Washington will break ground for
the schools new recreation building.
AS usual. the graduates reception
and luncheon in the Lane-Johnston
will conclude the days events.
Commencement time at Washing
tons internationally known Sidvel,
Friends School, one-time Washing
ton school Of Charles Augustus Lind
bergh, when his father was con-
gressional Representative from Min
nesota, likewise has a spiritual sig
nificance. Invariably portion of
the June closing exercises are held
In the venerable Friends meeting
house on street. with its simple
background and services giving a
lasting connotation to the eternal
truths OF the schools commencement
sermons. A happy graduation party
follows the giving out of the diplomas
and class awards at the schools one
time country property" on Wisconsin
avenue, upon which the city itself
has now advanced.
Graduates of the Holton Arms
School make an exquisite picture as
they file into their own auditorium
for their commencement exercises,
young faces smiling at parents and
relatives over huge clusters of GRIM
son roses, intermingled with sprays
OF delphinium. During her senior
year each graduate writes her own
autobiography as class room exer-
else in English. These Mrs. Holton,
the schools headmistress, uses as the
basis Of the extemporaneous charac-
ter analysis which she delivers in lieu