 The Sunday Gazetteer Sunday, June 17, 1894 St. Xavier Academy Commencement Exercises Wednesday Evening at the Wilkinson Opera House For many years the commencement exercises of St. Xavier academy have been held at the academy building on Sears street, but, of late, the hall has been so inadequate to the occasions that a change was deemed expedient, and the commencement this session was held at the Wilkinson opera house. The change was greatly appreciated not only by the patrons of the school but by the general public. The programme commenced at 8 o'clock Wednesday evening with an opening hymn in which all the students of the school took part, Misses M. Kennedy and L. Kelly delivering the salutatory addresses. Misses S. and E. Williams, assisted by a chorus of 6 voices, with piano accompaniment, rendered "Ave Maria," and then came a recitation, Christ Stilling the Tempest, by 11 little girls. Many a heart was touched by the excellent rendition of this sublime illustration of the peace and security of virtuous, truthful and philanthropic people. "The Bird Carol," by Miss P. Cummins, elicited generous applause. The feature of the evening was "A Battle of Books" in which the sciences contested for first honor. The characters were Misses M. Cuff, Christian doctrine; K. Hurley, primer; B. McLynn, reading; F. Sliler, spelling; N. Corcoran, grammar; L. Kelly, penmanship; G. Childs, geography; M. Williams, mathematics; M. Crutchfield, rhetoric; E. Seller, natural philosophy and chemistry; J. Heald, logic; E. Harris, history; D. Lasher, literature; E. Cummins, botany; M. DeBow, astronomy; N. Murphy, geology; P. Cummins, elocution; Miss E. Hallenbec, attendant, and Miss L. Carlat, justice. The number was produced in 2 scenes and in rendering the decision, Christian science, was accorded the victory. Miss Crutchfield's rendition of Father Ryan's "In the Valley," with pantomime, certainly deserves great praise. The poem is one of the richest in the English language and the interpretation given to it by the young lady brought out beauty and sweetness not to be gathered in casual reading. The remainder of the programme, vocal and instrumental music, recitations, banner march and drill, essay by the graduate, Miss Daisey Crooks, and the proclamation and presentation of premiums to members of the first and second classes, was quite interesting and showed conscientious and studious toil on the part of both teachers and pupils. The school will re-open on the first Monday in September. Good order was observed and 1,000 or more people were in attendance.  St. Xavier's Academy History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |