 The Sunday Gazetteer Sunday, June 21, 1896 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES The St. Xavier Academy Wednesday Night at the Opera House A Gorgeous Presentation of the Biblical Narrative of Queen Esther To a Delighted Audience The Graduating Class, Mamie Cuff, Daisy Fisher, Minnie Anderson, Lelia Carlat and Nellie Murphy Of educational events at this season of the year, the commencement exercises of the St. Xavier academy transcends them all. In fact, it has done so ever since the gentle sisters of St. Mary came here a number of years ago, and planted in our midst an institution of learning, the pride of all, irrespective of predilections or creeds. It is eminently proper to preface the commencement exercises with a sketch of St. Xavier, or rather a mention of the plan of education as elucidated there. The Sisters, the pupils and the school patrons understand it; but the general reader does not. Few persons who sat there Wednesday night and listened to the order of exercises, have any idea of what the Catholic Sisters have done for the cause of home and education. There is no land into which the Sisters have not penetrated; no nation whose language they do not speak; no palace too magnificent to receive them, no but so lowly that they shrank from entering it with the mission of learning, and Christ. While they carry the symbol of education, they succored the poor, they support the fainting, they sooth the dying,. It is their mission to do good as well as to spread the cause of education. They have consecrated their lives to God commenced their work in Denison in a feeble manner. It was a venture; they had pecuniary obligations to meet, they had prejudices to overcome, obstacles to surmount that no doubt dismayed and discouraged them. But with each succeeding year has dawned prosperity, until now the fruition of their highest ambition has been realized. No just person will begrudge them their present success, but good women and men everywhere will wish them speed in every future undertaking. But few had any idea of the magnitude of the work of St. Xavier. From all sections of the country young girls are sent to the gentle Sisters to care for, to train, to teach, to guide, in order that when they return to their homes they may have cultivated the habits of self control, or order and neatness, of industry and economy, and that they may have such accomplishments of mind as will make them ornaments to society and the pride of their parents and relatives. Difference of religion is no bar to admission to the academy and it will surprise many readers to learn that a majority of the pupils are non-Catholic. All grades of learning are within the province of the pupils, from the kindergarten, where the minds of the little tots are first turned toward the A B C's up to the academic, sub-graduate and graduate departments of which Orthography, Reading, Writing, Grammar, Rhetoric, Composition, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Book-keeping, Descriptive and Physical Geography, Sacred and Profane History, Physics, Mythology, Chemistry, Astronomy, Botany, Zoology, Logic, Literature, Elocution, Vocal and Instrumental Music, Drawing, Plain Sewing, Fancy Needle Work, and all other high branches are taught, The curriculum is built upon broad foundations in every department. The solid, essential branches of a thorough English education are taught. There are 14 Sisters and 4 assistants connected with the St. Xavier academy; they have their respective departments. Among them are some remarkable teachers, With that patience and kindliness for which their order is famous, they train the minds and hearts of their charges to the noblest and highest aims. For their proficiency in teaching music, the reputation of the Sisters is widespread. It is music that comes closes to the heart and makes the impression that we shall longest love to preserve. To what a degree of proficiency the pupils have been brought, was exemplified in the musical feature of the program Wednesday night. In the most trying passages the pupils never faltered, but with superb poise and assurance marches on to victory and encore. With this introductory we introduce to our readers the commencement exercises of St. Xavier academy. It was warm, but not one of those distressingly sultry nights that keep an audience in constant vibration and detracts from the public interest to the stage. The rather high price of admission did not mitigate against a large attendance, as the pretty little theater was packed from the galleries down to the auditorium. The audience was an enthusiastic and responsive one. Seldom have we seen such a unanimous feeling of pleasure suffuse an audience, and, whoever expressed, more unqualified admiration. The impression left behind will linger like pleasant souvenirs in the memory, and a regret that commencement exercises come only once a year. The appearance of the stage was enchanting. It was a beautiful picture - lovely women in all the varied stages of development, from the lisping baby prodigy to the fair young girl just budding into womanhood; spotless dresses of immaculate white; fairest flowers nestling in tresses of jet and gold, and blushing at every at every girdle; bright, glowing, happy faces, and hearts as pure as the snowy robes that graced the dainty forms, and over all the gas-light glow shedding a mellow halo u upon the fairy scene. Never was stage grouping more admirably adapted to a scene of pristine purity, and never were surroundings more adequately filled by the forms of impeccable life. THE PROGRAM The curtain at the Denison opera house rose at 8:30 o'clock on Wednesday evening and discovered the pupils at St. Xavier academy to the number of about 200 massed in skilfully graduated groups on the stage; the smaller pupils, some of them scarcely more than babes, occupying the front, the ranks gradually increasing in stature, culminating in the rear in the innocence and purity of womanhood.. The pure white of the material and simplicity of the make-up of the costumes, combined with the happy faces of the pupils to make a scene that will not soon be forgotten. And, when the entire group broke into the glad hymn, "Bring Flowers the Rarest," which formed the opening number of the program, as if with one voice, the harmony was so perfect, surely each auditor present must have been carried back to his own happy school days, and have been made better by the awakened memories. From the number participating the Sisters of St. Mary must have discovered a solution to the problem which has vexed teachers so long, "How retain full ranks during the long, hot, wearisome days of spring, and maintain interest to the close." The salutatories by Misses M. Cuff, D. Nichols and B. Peck were all of the first excellence and each delivered with that absence of self-conscienceness and of the least suspiciousness of affectation, which characterizes the delivery of all the pupils of St. Xavier. Especially did the well rounded sentences and chaste, well-selected words of Miss Cuff, and withal her almost perfect manner of delivery, elicit favorable comment. Overture - Preciosa, C.M. von Weber - - - - Misses A. Bently, M. DeBow, M. Cuff, G. Tygard. Organ, Miss Ward Sufficient to say, each of the fair musicians sustained her part admirably. Seldom do undergraduates attain the finish and brilliancy evinced by these young ladies. Essay - - - - "Earth's Butterflies"- - - - Miss Minnie Anderson The subject "Earth's Butterflies" does not inherently foreshadow its possibilities, as developed in the handling and delivery by the fair young graduate who chose it for her theme. The perfect diction of the literary matter, combined with the repose of manner, distinct enunciation and graceful gestures of Miss Anderson completely disarmed criticism. One could only listen and admire. The though expressed, clothes in beautiful style made for Miss Anderson friends of the entire audience. She, like all the other graduates of the class of '96, is a Denison young lady, and was recognized only to be admired. The perfect training of voice and gesture was not the least attractive feature of this member; and, it success in after-life is to be measured by the success attained in school-life then indeed parents, teachers and friends of Miss Anderson are to be congratulated. The musical feature, "Variations (upon a Theme, Minuette from Beethoven, Sonate Op. 31) Miss L. Carlat 1 Piano, Miss B. Bennett II Piano," was, to an uncritical ear, the musical feature par excellence of the evening. Praise of the selections, and of the fair performers was heard on every dise; if popularity decides success, then may the young ladies congratulate themselves. Essay - - - - "out of School-Life into Life's School" - - - - Miss Amanda Allen The same purity of expression, simplicity of manner and graceful bearing that had made themselves felt throughout, were particularly noticeable features of this young lady's effort, to a marked degree. The clear, resonant voice made itself distinct to the farthest limits of the room. If even the faintest criticism might be permissible, one could only indulge it to the somewhat pessimistic views of the young lady hinted at as being possible in life's school; and considering the possible contrasts to school life the future may hold for each, attempt at criticism would end in an exclamation of praise. Germanis - - - - Brilliant Waltzes (Ten Hands) J.A. Fowler - - - - was rendered by Misses L. Royce, C. Davis, G. Wood and A. Meadows. Organ, B. Bennett. Considering the youthfulness of the performers, each apparently a miss of 14, this number deserves especial praise. One could only wonder at the proficiency of pupils so young. Essay - - - - "The Marble Waiteth" - - - - Miss Lelia Carlat. Whatever has been said in reference to preceding numbers applies with additional emphasis to Miss Carlat's effort. Her extreme youth, innocent purity, and somewhat timid manner, all appealed to the audience. If a thoroughly sympathetic audience is an evidence of superiority then has Miss Lelia little left to desire and nothing to regret. All her young life has been spent among us, and her appearance arrayed in snowy garments, to demonstrate to friends and parents that the...though few, created a new interest. No was that interest disappointed. Miss Carlat's essay evinced a wide...and thorough course of reading, a depth of thought and facility of expression unusual in one so young withal being aptly illustrated by quotations from poetry, history and biography until it formed a complete whole. The young lady though seeming to realize the difficulty of appearing before an audience of friends, rather than one of strangers, may be assured she elicited their unstilted praise - having deserved well she received her reward. The cantata, elaborated from the Bible story of Queen Esther, aside from the graduating essays and the excellent musical program, formed the entertainment of the evening and occupied about 2 hours in presentation. The only criticism pertinent applies to the time occupied, and that only, as to its effect on the audience, who, owing to the crowded condition of the auditorium and the excessive heat, became restless, thus marring the part of the program that followed, those who were not favored as to seats being deprived of the privilege of hearing the closing. ESTHER, THE BEAUTIFUL QUEEN A Cantata or Short Or.... Personations King Ahasuerus - - - - Miss Minnie Anderson Queen - - - - Miss Agnes Fisher Haman (the King's favored one) - - - - Miss Alex Bentley Zerish (Haman's wife) - - - - Miss E. Fullington Mordecai (Queen's uncle) - - - - Miss D. Fisher Mordecai's Sister - - - - Miss Clemmie Overton Prophetess - - - - Miss Maggie Williams Scribe - - - - Miss Amanda Allen Guards, Attendants, Courtiers, King's Pages, Queen's Pages, Persians, Jew Children: Act I - Chorus of Persians - "Haman, Haman! Long Live Haman." Solo - Haman, "Behold this Mordecai in Scorn," "To the King! To the king!" Scene Second - Recitative - Haman, "There is a Certain People." Duet - King and Haman, "A Song of Joy." Prophetess - "Lo, O'er the Wicked." Act II - Solos and Chorus - Mordecai, Esther, Mordecai's Sister and the Jews. "Woe is Me," "Israel, O Israel," "Go Thou unto the King," "To Thee, O Lord." "God is the Refuge." Act III - Solo and Duet - King and Esther, "What is it, Queen Esther, and what is thy request?" Act IV - Persian Chorus and Solos - "Call to the Banquet," "Haste to the Banquet Hall," "Then Go Thou Merily" Solos - Attendants, Zerish and Chorus, "Mordecaie, the Jew, Shall no Longer SIt in Scorn," "Why Should this Hebrew Vex My Lord?" Scene Second - Scribe reading records to King. Solos - King and Haman (enter chorus rejoicing) "Aha, aha, proud Haman begins to fall." Act V - Solo - Haman, "Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the King delighteth to honor." Chorus of children. Scene Second - Solo - Zerish to Haman, "Thy galling defeat, alas! we know it all." Scene Third - Solo and Chorus - "Long Live Our Beauteous Queen," etc. "What is Thy Petition and What is Thy Request?" The denunciation. Exit Ha.... Finale - "Do I wake or am I dreaming?" "Beautiful are they towers, O Zion." The opening scene presented Haman surrounded by a chorus of Persians, all arrayed in gorgeous apparel. Indeed, the spectacular effect throughout, the glittering raiment of the attendants, the trappings of guards and soldiers, and the magnificence of the royal robes of king, queen and princes, combined to make up a scene seldom surpassed by amateurs, and taken together with the dramatic and musical excellence displayed by each of the leading characters, formed an entertainment not excelled by a ny school exercises in the history of Denison, unless we except the commencement services of this same institute in 1895. Special mention among so many were all nearly perfect would be unjust. Nevertheless, we cannot withold a word of praise for little Misses Belle Campbell and Mamie Kennedy, Georgia Samuels and May Hallenbeck, pages to the king and queen. They were simply letter perfect, eliciting long and hearty app0lause by their graceful manners and childish earnestness and beauty. How fortunate we would be if we never lost the grace, beauty, and above all, the innocent loveliness of childhood. Watching the happy, unconscious gracefulness of merry children, we conclude that awkwardness is but an acquired trait. Neither would we feel ourselves justified if we failed to mention the following young ladies who acquitted themselves so admirably. Misses Anderson, the King; Bentley, Haman; Agnes Fisher, the Queen; Fullington, Zerish; Daisy Fisher, Mordecai; Overton, Mordecai's sister. Seldom have we heard a soprano voice of such remarkable resonance as that possessed by Miss Clemmie Overton. The young lady seems to be just entering her teens, yet the voice is characterized by unusual power and sweetness. The young lady, daughter of ex-Governor Overton of the Territory, certainly gives promise of a bright musical career should she give her mind to the development of that talent. Each feature of the cantata deserves extended notice - the calisthentic movements and songs of the little ones, equally with the more finished work of the young ladies. All were lovely and all reflect, equally, honor on their teachers. Whether in song, dance, march or tableau, each showed the careful training she had had, the gentle, shrinking Sister being content to work now, receive honor hereafter. The musical accompaniment to the cantata, rendered by Misses Carlat and Ward, added much to the enhancement of the interest displayed; at times gay and joyous, again, dying away in a wail so sad it seemed the embodiment of all sad memories, recalling the "Harps on willow trees" as though all earth had been changed to sadness.   St. Xavier's Academy History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |