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Show : Si MARY'S ACADEMY. "The University of Notre v Dame sends greetings to St. Mary's on the occasion of its silver jubilee and wishes the highest measure of success to its work in the future. "A. MORISSEY, "President Notre Dame University." "Congratulations and good wishes for continued prosperity in good work. "SISTER PERPETUA, "St. Mary's Academy, N. D., Indiana." These telegrams formed the text for a beautiful meditation on higher education edu-cation to those present at St. Mary's academy last Wednesday; for they were the key note to a brilliant performance per-formance rendered by its bright and intelligent pupils. A jubilee spirit and a spirit of success, of honor and of glory gave tone and color to matter and mind and heart. It spoke in triumphant tri-umphant tones through the large silver sil-ver figures. 1875-1900, that came boldly forward from amid the gay decorations around the stage; it was woven del-cately del-cately into the "tableaux vivants;" it lent light and warmth to songs and essays es-says and salutations. It found life and spirit in the e-oodlv I groups of bright women that represented represent-ed the alumnae of St. Mary's. Twenty-five years of life in a modern mod-ern educational institution represents today volumes of intellectual activity a, world of progress. But to those who know the work of St. Mary's academy and can appreciate its success, it represents rep-resents also infinite blessings and summons sum-mons forth infinite gratitude. The history his-tory of St. Mary's academy constitutes an important chapter in the history of higher education in the intermountain states. St. Mary's' has grown with the growing west, has progressed with our progressive city. So familiar is it now, that it has become an old familiar landmark, and in the trailing light of the glory of its deeds it has left educational ed-ucational salvation. It represents education, edu-cation, but education In the philosophic Christian sense. In not the cramming of a memory, nor the dry, sterile development de-velopment of a brain, nor the cultureof a weak, over sentimental heart, it represents; rep-resents; bue the culture of a soul in all its parts, with all its powers and faculties. Its education Is not a foundation foun-dation alone, nor only a glittering dome but a temple whole and entire, beautiful beauti-ful and safe. It hIMs ctnintrS pure, honest heart, and strengthens it with solid mental training and finishes and adorns it with-the magic touch of every art. . The destinies of St. Mary's academy have since its origin been presided over :bj superior women; women of brain,, women of courage. Mother Augusta and Mother Charles first wove the silken sil-ken tapestry. Mother Sienna with culture cul-ture and polish brought out delicate figures. Mother Praxides brought out the tints, and Mother Lucretia, the present able superioress, has added light and warmth to the picture. Wednesday's Wed-nesday's closing exercises were the fin-ishingtouches fin-ishingtouches to one of its fine works of art. It is quite a difficult task at any time to write an accurate account of a splendid entertainment in order of merit; but doubly so is it for this, for intelligence was written on too many faces and artistic soul expressed in too many voices and fingers to well detect the best. From the pleasant expression in the face of the post-graduate leader, Miss D. Kinney, on the virtuously proud countenances of four happy ..wo, i,lu tilc uiijjui., expectant look- of undergraduates, down to the little central figure among the grouped minims on the stage, there was education, edu-cation, fine elegant. The "Marche Triumphale" that apen-ed apen-ed the programme sounded like St. Mary's of old. Solemn, dignified, stately state-ly and yet with all the grace that joyous joy-ous girlhood can give. Next came forth a number that marked the pitch of accomplishment. It was the first source of wonderment for all and a fruitful source of congratulations con-gratulations for friends, particularly those of Miss Mary Gridley. For in this and in her other two solo numbers, num-bers, "Valse di Branira." a sweet Ital ian love song, and "We'll Gaily Sing and Play," a light tripping piece of I lively music, she displayed talent of superior order. Her accurate and delicate deli-cate control of voice showed fine training. train-ing. The accompaniments in all cases both instrumental and vocal was easy, intelligent and of refined taste. "Ventre "Ven-tre a Terre" gave evidence of good material ma-terial in the juniors and the "Motion Song," for those who know what it is to train a crowd of minims for a public pub-lic performance, was an exhibition of success for patient labors and care. "Ave Spes Unica," by Miss A. Duchesne, Du-chesne, was a unique salutation in French. She may have been a "timide voix" of modesty to be taken into consideration, con-sideration, but if talent be taken into account, her production was more like "Un arbre, pare des plus riches col-eurs." col-eurs." . The "Vocal Combat" was really a contest of excellence between the clear, ringing notes of Misses L. Ehret anr M Gridley and the mellow, distinct tones of Misses Missler and Duchesne. Miss M. Robertson followed, to go gracefully into the "World of Tone," and she expressed ideas which fathoming fathom-ing and not idle culling brings. Her words, her voice and her figure were in good accord, earnest and noble, and yet often prim and delicate. The "Mandolin Selections" that next appeared were like the music of rippling rip-pling waves breaking amid a flood of moonlight on a Venetian shore. Light and airy, gay and dancing, like a young academy girl running home with closing day's honors on her brow. In her recitation of "The Storm," MiR "R F.hrpfr r-flvo nrnmi ca rP Hartnm ing a good elocutionist. ; Miss F. Evans, in the recitation "The Soul of the Violin." told with genuine feeling how the artist found animation, life, friendship, love itself in his boon companion, and all the while sweet sounds came stealing through the curtains, cur-tains, from under well known nimhble ! fingers in another room. The "Polonaise," an eight-hand piece, showed well for the juniors. To add a touch of genial wisdom to every number, Miss A. Duchesne expressed ex-pressed some, of the best thoughts in prettiest language about "The Attic Salt of Themour." ; - . The drill and tableaux was a very graceful exhibition of well timed, intelligently in-telligently executed stage movements.' The figures formed by artistically crossing and uniting white and blue sashes, to express jubilee thoughts were received with applause. Miss L.- Eret, in her song, "Happy Birdling," sustained an already well earned reputation repu-tation and gave evidence of the talent which won for her gold medal for greatest improvement in music Her voice is soft, sweet and expressive. Miss Myra H. Wood, in her class poem, "The Friends Thou Hast," is said by some who know her to have spoken "ex abundantea cordis." She mirrored, they say, a genial disposition and sincere sin-cere nature in her well-culled thoughts. "L. Etudiant Paurre" was a splendid, splen-did, performance and special congratulations congratu-lations may be tendered Misses D. M. Kinney, Miss H. Pollock and Miss Miss, ler. A splendid selection was splendidly performed. After Miss Gridley had scored her last triumph with "We'll Gaily Sing and Play," accompanied by bright Miss Pollock and chorus, class medals were awarded. As each glittering prize shone in the hands of Bi?hop Scanlan a bright, sunny sun-ny face appeared and a reverent form knelt to receive the gift with gratitude. grati-tude. Miss Myra H. Wood desjrves spe- ! cial mention as the recipient of three gold medals. In her valedictory, "The Time Needs Heart," Miss Anna O'Brien gave a finishing fin-ishing touch to the beautiful monument. monu-ment. It was not simply a juggling of words, as valedictories too often are, nor a mere burst of sentiment, but good, sound philosophic ideas formed the groundwork of her production, which she crowned with grateful acknowledgement ac-knowledgement of the untiring zeal of those who were responsible for her success and that of her companions. Bishop Scanlan, in his own zealous, earnest way, closed the exercises with an address. More willing to teach and elevate than to praise, he gave sound, philosophic Christian advice to those bright girl graduates. He explained fully and exhorted them to carry out faithfully the spirit of the words "to thine own self be true." In the afternoon the Sisters entertained enter-tained the members of the alumnae at tea. It was a very enjoyable reunion. The ladies, to prove that their inter est in their Alma Mater did not solve itself into merely platonic sympathy, presented the Mother Superior with a beautiful gold monstrance. May our home people continue to' patronize pat-ronize their home institution liberally. Just as the American need not cross the ocean to least his eyes on beautiful beauti-ful scenery so do the daughters of the west need not cross the Rocky mountains moun-tains to acquire a first-class, noble education. ed-ucation. The following is a list of prize winners: win-ners: Names of graduates Miss Aline Duchesne, Woodland, Cal.; Miss Myra H. Wood, Omaha; Miss Annie O'Brien, Sheridan, Mont.; Miss Margaret Robertson, Rob-ertson, Salt Lake City. Gold medal For highest average, second sec-ond preparatory class, awarded to tiose Mcuonougn. Gold medal For highest average, first preparatory class, awarded to E. Donovan. Gold medal For highest average, third senior class, awarded to Miss F. Evans. Gold medal For highest average, second senior class (gift of Dr. A. Follow), Fol-low), awarded exaequo to M. O'Brien and E. Asthre; drawn by Miss O'Brien. Gold medal For deportment, junior department of boarders, awarded to V. Bawden. Gold medal For deportment, junior department, day pupils, awarded to Miss G. Hanson. Gold medal Presented by Mr. A. H. Tarbet, proprietor Intermountain Catholic, Cath-olic, for English prose and verse, awarded to Miss M. Wood. Gold medal The gift of J. H. Ley-son, Ley-son, Butte, Mont., awarded for improvement im-provement in vocal music to Miss L. J. Ehret. Gold medal For Christian doctrine, preparatory class, awarded to Miss M. McHugh. Gold medal For Christian doctrine, gift of Mr. T. Kinney, Rock Springs, Wyo., awarded to Miss M. Wood. Graduating medals and diplomas-Conferred diplomas-Conferred on Miss Anna M. O'Brien, Sheridan, Wyo.: Miss Myra A. Wood, Omaha, Neb.; Miss Adeline DuChene, Woodlawn, Cal.; Mus Margaret Robertson, Rob-ertson, Salt Lake. I |
