  source: http://www.ssmnwestern.com/  The Sunday Gazetteer Denison, Texas Sunday, June 21, 1903 pg. 1 THE 29TH COMMENCEMENT Exercises of St. Xavier's Academy in This City Held in the Auditorium June 16 and 17, 1903 Graduates : Margaret Tobin, Nannie Gwin, Leona Evans, Adella Martin and Nellie Kingsley. Class Flower : Carnation Class Motto : "Launched, But Not Anchored" The twenty-ninth commencement of St. Xavier's Academy was held in the auditorium of that grand institute Tuesday and Wednesday nights. In the past, these exercises have been held only one night, and, while they were very interesting, they were often so long that many became weary. This year the Sisters of St. Mary decided to have two nights, and in this way the program shorter and more enjoyable each night and do away with the long, tedious hours. Many are interested in the little tots and do not care to witness the efforts of the more advanced pupils. They had this pleasure Tuesday night. Others, on the other hand, care only to witness the triumphs of the older pupils and graduates and do not wish to sit through the performances of the little ones, which they would be forced to do if all entertained the same night. Their choice would naturally be the second night. Another good feature of having two nights is that the auditorium was not over crowded. While many went both nights, yet there were quite a number who only attended one night. On both nights the auditorium was filled to its utmost capacity, and the exercises were up to the usual high standard, especially the play "Belshazzar," Wednesday night. The Sisters of St. Mary have enjoyed a most prosperous year, and the closing of the school term of '03 marks the one of the brightest in this history of this noble institute. The sisters came to our town in its infancy, and have prospered in proportion with our city's growth. They have had their struggles and their dark days of discouragement, but ever before them has shone the bright star of hope; hope in their ultimate success, hope in the future of Denison, hope in the cause of religion and education, bound together and fostered by their tender care and fervent devotion; and they have seen this hope realized in the grand and noble building they call home, and in many young girls who have left their Alma Mater to fill loving, happy homes, or to take their places in the highest ranks of the professions. TUESDAY NIGHT The first night's entertainment was all that could be desired. Long before 8:30, the hour set for the opening, the auditorium was filled with eager parents and friends of the pupils. Promptly at the hour named the curtain rose, and to the strains of sweet music, those whose pleasure it was to entertain marched from either side to the front of the stage, taking their places as usual, the smallest in front, gradually increasing in height until the pyramid was complete. A living pyramid of human beauties, dainty and sweet in sheer white dresses, so becoming and rivaling in purity their own young hearts. It was a scene on which to feast the eyes as they sang in perfect unison the opening chorus, "Evening Prayer." Miss Bessie Murphy addressed the pastor, parents and friends in a most graceful manor. Her words were well chosen, clearly enunciated, and an echo from the heart. Faust (Gounod). Pianos, Misses G. Sweeney, E. Hutchinson, May Murphy, E. Hartnett, L. Smart, K. Deiss, A. Larue, and L. Gumpert. This was most skillfully rendered. Each of the nine young ladies is a born musician and, assisted by careful training, they have reached the acme of perfection. Vocal solo, "The Angel's Promise." In this beautiful selection Miss Margaret Tobin did exceptionally well. She has a very sweet voice, well modulated. She knows how to use it for the pleasure of others and sang with a great deal of feeling and expression. "Queen Flora's Day Dream" - Operetta. Characters : "Queen Flora," Miss Blanch Knight; Favorite attendant, Miss Stella Ungles; Lost child, Miss Catherine Oglesby; Woodland Fairies, Butterflies and Domestic Fairies. The curtain rose a beautiful woodland scene. The fairy queen was asleep in a mossy recess, faithfully watched over by the attendants, the little fairies and butterflies dancing around, singing and playing in maddest glee, bright in brilliant colored costumes. About thirty little misses were in this piece and did admirably. Little Miss Oglesby, as the lost child, was very fine; indeed she has rare talent for one so young. Her impersonation of a little girl lost in the woods was so real as to enlist the sympathies of her audience throughout. Radieuse (Gottschalk). Pianos : Misses Fay Johnston, Ollie Ennis, Leah Townsend, Fannie Phipps, May Sadlier, Eva Hartnett, Flossie McComas, and Clara McKinney. Musical talent abounds among the pupils of St. Xavier's. These talented young ladies exhibited rare technical ability. The selection was one well calculated to bring out all that was best in the executionary powers. Tableaux, "Our Flag." "Goddess of Liberty, " Susie Dawson; "Faith," Catherine Cuff; "Hope," Ethel Hogan; "Charity," Gertrude Williams. The reading of the history of the flag by Miss Fay Johnson was not only very entertaining, but instructive also. Her clear voice could be distinctly heard throughout the auditorium, and in enunciation was far beyond average, every word, every syllable was distinct and clear-cut, no mumbling of words as if often the case when one attempts to read or speak in public. There was no undue strain of the voice - simply a plain, full tone, spoken without effort on her part and understood by all. Tannhat.... (Wagner). First Piano : Misses A. Collins, L. Cook, K. Dorrian, and E. Cochran. Second Piano : Misses M. Tobin, N. Gwin, M. Sadlier, and G. Frame. Organ : Miss T. Ward The selection of this beautiful composition of Wagner is sufficient to attest the musical ability and powers of execution of these finished artists. These young ladies have been before the public in former years and need to introduction to our music loving people. Their names alone are enough to assure one of a musical treat far above the average, and they did not disappoint their friends Tuesday night, if the rounds of applause so heartily given and so well merited are a criterion of excellence. "A Slight Mistake," a comedy. Dramatist Personale : "Lady Proudly," Miss Leah Townsend; "Amanda," (her maid), Miss Fay Johnston; "Felicite," (landlady of an inn), Miss Mable Gager; "Rosete," (her cousin), Miss Ollie Ennis; "Anna," (their aunt), Miss Zula O'Riley. This abounded in laughable situations, strongly portraying human nature. Notwithstanding "strong principles" and a "philosophical mind," a little money or a title is very likely to turn the head of the average person born to an humble lot. Where all are of equal merit it would be an injustice to give special attention to any. Suffice it to say that each did exceedingly well and acted her part much better than could have been done by another. Mistakes will often happen, and it is very easy to read a 9 for a 6. Boating Party, a pantomime. Some twenty-five or thirty young misses sang this motion song in perfect rhythm of time and measure. Whether rowing, resting on their oars, or listening to the wild birds call, their movements and postures were graceful and easy. Their singing was good. There are some very good voices among these younger girls which will some day charm the public. WEDNESDAY Wednesday night the auditorium was packed from stage to entrance, seats being placed in the aisles to accommodate the patrons of the school. The opening piece was the same as the closing number of the night before. Tannhauser (Wagner), Pianos : Misses Kate Dorrian, Ella Cochran, A. Collins, L. Cook, M. Tobin, N. Gwin, M. Sadler and G. Frame. Organ : Miss T. Ward. This was quite appropriate, forming, as it did, a connecting link between the two evenings' entertainment. The general interest of Wednesday was centered around the fair graduates, those lovely daughters of St. Xavier's. Flowers in profusion graced the stage. The curtain rose on a symphony in white, the class of '03, other classmates and little attendants. Miss Gwin was the Salutatorian of the evening. She delivered her address in an easy, graceful manner, welcoming parents and friends to the closing exercises. Miss Nellie Kingsley took as the subject of her essay, "Ships that Pass in the Night," and right well did she handle her subject, likening each individual to a ship passed on the ocean of life. Miss Adelia Martin selected as her theme, "American Progress." This was quite an exhaustive subject, but she was well informed, and in a few concise and pithy words told of our country's achievement in the past few years and predicted a much greater progress for the century just begun. Awarding of medals to academic pupils was next in order. There were quite a number of these, and lack of space prevents individual mention. Miss Leona Evans, class president, made a very pretty address to the members of the graduating class, thanking them for their uniform kindness, and speaking in feeling terms of the happy days in the classroom together. Awarding of medals and diplomas to the graduates: Each of the five young ladies received the gold medal and were crowned with the laurel wreath, emblematic of the victory they had won. As the name of each was called, she advanced to the front of the stage, before Rev. Father Crowley, who took the medal, wreath and diploma from a daintily little attendant, and presented them, in turn, to each graduate. The diplomas have the double seal of St. Xavier's academy and the Board of Regents, of Lockport, New York. Miss Margaret Tobin was the valedictorian, and certainly no better choice could have been made. Miss Tobin spoke in feeling terms of the days gone by and which can never return, thanking the reverend pastor, kind sisters and loving parents for the untold blessing of a thorough education, bidding an affectionate good-bye to her classmates, the gentle sisters and her Alma Mater. Miss Jones and Miss Lindsay are fine musicians and the only regret is that they were not heard again during the evening. Their brilliant rendition of this difficult duo was superb. The rest of the evening was devoted to the Oratorio of Belshazzar, in five acts. PERSONATIONS Belshazzar, King of Babylon, Miss Fay Lindsay Cyrus, King of Persia, Miss May Murphy Zerubbabel, Governor of the Jews, Miss Agnes Wright Daniel, Prophet of Israel, Miss Adelia Martin Jesdeubel, High Priest, Miss Virgie McCarthy Featus, Lord Chamberlain, Miss N. Gwin Tasnor, Master of Ceremonies, Miss Mamie Leonard Berlina, King's Messenger, Miss Mamie Leonard Babylonian Captain, Miss Mamie Kane Persian General, Miss Florence Kirkpatrick Nitrocris, Queen Regent, Miss M. Tobin Antonia, Queen of Belshazzar, Miss N. Kingsley Shelomith, Wife of Zerubbabel, Miss A. Collins Myre, Child of Zerubbabel, Miss Catherine Cuff Angel, Katherine Dorrian Jewish Princesses, Misses Evans and Deiss Magi, Misses McQuillan, Reddick and Hutchinson Tamar, Miss Leah Townsend Atalia, Miss Ollie Ennis Zerlina, Miss Fay Johnson King's Jester, Miss Raliegh Hobson The costuming of the piece was magnificent, and the principal parts were well sustained. The stage setting was appropriate to the piece, and taken as a whole, it was a splendid achievement and a great undertaking for school girls. But these young ladies know no such word as fail, and they were perfect in every movement and gesture. Miss Lindsay, as Belshazzar, was especially good, portraying the greatest concern and anxiety at the mysterious "handwriting." The soldiers' battle drill was simply perfection. Never did soldiers drill with more precision than did these young girls. The advance, retreat and fencing were realistic in the extreme, and the perfect time could hardly be excelled by West Point. The grand entrance in the last act would have done credit to the older heads than those of last Wednesday night. The gorgeous court dresses, the stately tread, and with all the grand ceremonials of the king's court, was a dazzling spectacle, seldom witnessed outside the theatrical profession; and for such a spectacular production to be attempted and carried out by mere school girls in such a dignified and professional manner speaks well for the careful training and patient study on the part of the sisters and pupils of St. Xavier's. For some reason, the orchestra, which it was expected it would assist in the oratorio, did not take part. This was quite a disappointment to the audience, as the waiting between acts was at times quite tedious, owing to the changing of costumes and scenes. Although it was accomplished in the shortest possible time, yet a good little music during the necessary delays would have added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening. Year after year the closing exercises of this school are looked forward to with ever increasing interest, for they have done so well in the past. Is it possible to do better in the future? Yet, as year succeeds year, the commencements grow better and grander, until it would seem the height of perfection had been reached. St. Xavier's Academy History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |