St. Thomas Commencement

Held Wednesday Evening in the Parish Hall

-------------------------------

Three Were Graduated

------------------------

And Will Enter the University Next Year--A Fine Program Was Greatly Enjoyed

----------------------

The commencement exercises of St. Thomas high school were held in the parish hall Wednesday at 8 o'clock before a large gathering of the friends of the institution. The stage was beautiful with palms, ferns and cut flowers, while the national colors were everywhere to be seen throughout the auditorium. The following program was carried out without a hitch:

Greeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus March--"Guest of Honor" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .St. Thomas Orchestra "Pas des Cymbales" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Instrumental "An Epoch Century" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jane Constance Clarken Overture--"Poet and Peasant" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Orchestra "My Own United States" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus "Panama Canal" . . Jennie Alice Garber Selected . . . . . . . . . . . . Harp Solo Overture . . . . . . . . . . . .Instrumental "Lutspiel," . . . . . . . . . . . Violin Quartette Address . . . . . . . . . Rev. E.D. Kelly Class Song . . . . . . . . . .

The playing of St. Thomas orchestra was exceedingly good, but especially so in the overture, "Poet and Peasant." The members are all good musicians and were very enthusiastically received. In the chorus "My Own United States," the work of the select voices was inspiring. An instrumental duet, two pianos, by Nellie Brown and Allie Tice, was most enjoyable and the popularity of the players noticeable. A second overture by the same players and Miss Somers and Miss St. James was given with spirit and finish. Miss May Clarken, who has been studying harp in Cincinnati for the past year, received a perfect ovation and was recalled for a second number, giving "Kathleen Mavourneen" for the encore. Her harp work was delightful and enjoyed by everyone.

There were three graduates in the classical department, two of whom read papers, Miss Jennie Clarken, a sister of the harpist, writing on the subject "An Epoch Century" and Jennie Graber, of Findlay, Ohio, writing on "The Panama Canal." The former discovered but four great educational epochs in the history of the world. The 16th century in Italy was one of these four, a period unsurpassed either for the profundity or universality of its culture. The dark ages that superficial history teachers tell about must exist in their own imaginations.

Miss Graber gave a history of the Panama canal up to its present time and predicted great advantages for peace, for war, for commerce, at its completion. Great continents are broken like wishbones, continued the speaker, and seas are joined together like the play pools of laughing children.

The commencement address was delivered by Fr. Kelly, who paid a good, strong tribute to the sisters who are engaged in the cause of education.

The graduates of the school will enger the University next year as the school is on the University diploma list.

Besides the honors conferred upon the graduates, several of the students in the Conservatory of Music were generously remembered.