 The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, May 31, 1896 pg. 4 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES of the Denison Public Schools at the Opera House Thursday Night Over 1,000 People Attend - A Unique and Original Program - Symposium of Queens One of the largest audiences ever crowded into the Denison Opera House gathered there Thursday night to witness the graduating exercises of the class of 1896 of the Denison High School. As on former occasions, the friends and relatives of the graduates turned out en masse to witness the efforts of those who had completed the prescribed course, until by 8:30 not less than 1000 people were comfortably seated. In the right box was seated the junior class who will make their bow before the public next May, while the left box contained ex-Mayor Yocom, Father Crowley, Rev. A.F. Bishop, Trustees Frame, Munson, Decker, Judge Peck and a number of ladies. It was between 8:30 and 9:00 o'clock when Trustee Gilbert, the chairman of the evening, appeared before the footlights and announced a few changes in the printed program. When the curtain rose, a most pleasing sight was presented. There seated amid a profusion of fragrant flowers and potted plants was the class of 1896, composed of fourteen young ladies and one young gentleman - a ratio that has existed for several years in the high school graduating classes. The exercises were opened by several choruses rendered by the primary class, under the direction of Miss Berenice Wood, which were loudly applauded upon conclusion. These were followed by a pretty piano execution by Miss Florence Fairbanks. What followed was unique and original in its entirety, nothing similar had ever before been presented in Denison. It was a symposium of queens, treating of the lives, characteristic and influence of the most prominent empresses of ancient, medieval and modern history, from the time of Semiramis, who held undisputed sway in the East centuries ago down to the present day. Miss Laura Corbett opened the symposium which followed in the order herein after named. Ester, Miss Rachel Goldenberg Cleopatra, Miss Maud Patrick Zenobia, Miss Lida Bell Isabella, Miss Lelia Birch Lady Jane Gray, Miss Fannie Wolfe Mary Queen of Scots, Miss Leslie Cooper Elizabeth, Miss Minnie Libbe Catherine, Miss Maude Wheeler Maria Theresa, Miss Georgia Jacoby Marie Antoinette, Miss Nannie Hardin Josephine, Miss Mabel Dain Victoria, Miss Maggie Robert The manner in which the subjects were treated displayed diligent research and ability in composition. The symposium was pleasantly terminated by Mr. Ralph St. John, the only male member of the graduating class, who had for his subject, "Queen of Queens" - the American girl. His topic was terse and patriotic. At conclusion the vast audience applauded long and loudly. The musical program consisted of a solo, "I Choose But Thee," by Mrs. Markham; "Only Thee," vocal duet, Mrs. Markham and Mrs. Harris, and "In Old Madrid," by Mr. M.U. Hayden. Mrs. Kate Wilson presided at the piano with her usual ability. The presentation of diplomas was made by Trustee Gilbert, who addressed the audience, reviewing the financial condition of the Denison public schools, giving out the gratifying information that all debts had been paid and the treasury was now in a flourishing condition. He referred to the manner in which the able corps of teachers had conducted the institution meriting congratulations for the excellence attained by the class of '96. Trustee Gilbert also commented upon the absence of young men from the graduating classes, a condition which he nor the board could account for. It is a fact that from the first to seventh grades the classes are about evenly divided as to sex, but after that the young ladies predominate and the boys quietly drop out of school. The evening exercises were concluded by a farewell song sung by the junior class, after which the curtain fell and congratulations followed. Taken as a whole the affair was one of the most pleasant in the history of the Denison schools, and reflect much credit upon Miss Minnie Marsh, preceptress of the high school, who designed and had charge of the program. Denison High School History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |