From Our Church Paper (New Market, VA), Vol. 29, No. 15, April 17, 1901, p. 2.

Mont Amoena Seminary Notes.

The commencement exercises begin on Sunday, May 26th, when Rev. L. G. M. Miller, D. D , Roanoke, Va., preaches the baccalaureate sermon. The graduating class numbers six this year. On Sunday evening at 8 o’clock Rev. J. D. Kinard, Leesville, S. C., preaches the annual sermon before the seminary missionary society.

On Monday evening, 8 to 11 p. m., will take place the annual concert and reception. On Tuesday afternoon, 2.30 o’clock, there will be held the alumnae reunion with public exercise and banquet to alumnae. It is hoped that all alumnae will try to be present. An interesting program is being arranged.

The graduating exercises will be held, jointly with the college, on Wednesday morning at 10.30 o’clock.

The institution has had a very prosperous session with an enrollment of 92, representing four States, H. N. Miller.

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From Our Church Paper (New Market, VA), Vol. 29, No. 23, June 12, 1901, p. 3.

Mont Amoena Female Seminary Commencement.

The commencement exercises of this session will go down in the history of the institution as one of the most interesting and successful of commencement occasions. Although the weather was very unfavorable, yet the attendance upon the exercises was generally very large. The exercises began on Sunday, May 26th, and concluded with the graduating exercises on Wednesday, 29th.

On Sunday the baccalaureate sermon was preached by Rev. L. G. M. Miller, D. D., Roanoke, Va., his text being “Peace in believing,” Rom. 15, 13. It was a highly instructive sermon and greatly appreciated by the congregation, as well as by the graduating classes for whom it was especially intended. In the evening at 8’clock Rev. Jas. D. Kinard, Leesville, S. C., preached the sermon before the missionary society of the seminary. His text was, “We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, as we hold our peace.” II. Kings 7, 9. The sermon was of a very high order and calculated to encourage all who heard it.

On Monday evening at 8 o’clock the annual concert was held in the seminary hall, after which a reception was tendered the friends of the seminary. The Concord Standard reporter says this of the exercise: “The annual musical concert was of an exceptionally high order. It consisted of some of the finest classic selections from the most noted musical composers. The program was executed in a manner very nearly perfection.” Following is the program:

1. Quartette, (Engleman), Misses Umberger, Swink. Haigler, Miller.
2. Pantomime —”My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” (arranged by A. Caywood), Misses Monroe, Sandel, Werts, Misenheimer, Cook, Linn.
3. Duo—Rondo, (Gurlitt), Misses Tidmarsh and Stirewalt.
4. Duet —”Polish Dance,” (Schwarwenka), Misses Yonce and Vansant.
5. Recitation—”Hager,” (E. P. Nicholson), Miss Sandel.
6. Vocal Quartette —a. “There, Little Girl, Don’t Cry.” b. “The Boy and the Tack,” (Parks), Misses Vansant, Lingle, Umberger, Yonce.
7. Instrumental Solo —”Capriccio,” (Mendelssohn), Miss Welsh.
8. “Songs of Seven,” (Jean Ingelow), Misses Hopkins, Barrier, Cook, Sandel, Umberger, Monroe, Vansant.
9. Quartette —Overture—Egmont, (Beethoven), Misses Taylor, Misenheimer, Lingle. Sandel.
10. Recitation—” Aunt Sophronia Faber at the Opera,” Miss WiuganL 11. Drill.

The art display was one of the finest ever made at the seminary, revealing a great deal of talent in this accomplishment.

On Tuesday afternoon was held the alumnae reunion, and the public exercise connected with the same was one of the most interesting features of commencement. Mrs. P. M. Misenheimer,’94, Concord, N. C., presided. The principal address of the occasion was by Miss Callie Lipe, ’96, subject, “Happiness,” and easily sustained her reputation as a fine English scholar. Recitations were rendered by Misses Mabel Bostian and Mary Hendrix, both of the class of 1900. Instrumental solos were rendered by Mrs. W. J. Boger, ’87, and Miss Myrtle Patterson, ’99. Vocal solo was rendered by Miss Addie E. Patterson, ’97; an instrumental duet by Misses Effie Misenheimer, ’97, and Venora Blackwelder, ’96. Misses Mabel C. Barrier, ’93, and Maggie C. McAllister, 1900, contributed a vocal duet. These exercises reflected great credit upon all taking part, and most forcefully showed that all young ladies do not forsake their studies after graduation. At the business meeting Mrs. J. A. Linn, ’98, was elected president of the association and Mrs. J. H. C. Fisher, ’89, and Miss Mabel C. Barrier, ’93, were elected vice presidents. Miss Effie Misenheimer, ’97, was elected treasurer and Miss Virginia Shoup, ’97, secretary. At this meeting the association decided to offer a medal to be given at next commencement for the best recitation in a public elocution recital. Committees were appointed looking toward regular annual reunion and exercises.

On Wednesday morning the graduating exercises were held jointly with the college. The class read essays as follows: Household Economics —Miss Agnes W. Cook, Mt. Pleasant, N. C. The Bible and Woman —Miss Lucile M. Linn, Mt. Pleasant, N. C. China and the Chinese —Miss Nola A. Misenheimer, Copal Grove, N. C. Education and Crime —Miss Anna B. Monroe, Zeb, N. C. Queen Victoria —Miss Lula V. Sandel, Lone Star, S. C. Whose Places Have We to Fill ?—Miss S. Myrtle Werts, Ruff, S. C.

Competent judges pronounced all the essays exceptionally fine. First honor was awarded to Miss Anna B. Monroe, Zeb, N. C., with second honor to Miss Agnes W. Cook, Mt. Pleasant, N. C. The senior prize essay medal was awarded to Miss Agnes W. Cook, and presented by Prof. J. B. O’Neall Holloway in well chosen words. The Bible history medal was awarded to Miss Mary Brown, Russell, N. C., and the presentation was very happily made by Rev. V. R. Stickley, Enochville, N. C. The diplomas were presented to the graduating class by Rev. G. H. Cox, D. D., president of the board of trustees.

NOTES.

The next session will begin Wednesday, September 11th, at 2 o’clock p. m. All the teachers in the seminary department who have been connected with the institution during the past four years have been retained on account of their successful work.

The enrollment for this session numbers 92 students —73 from North Carolina, 17 from South Carolina, and one each from Georgia and Virginia.

The prospect for next year is very hopeful, already more than half the rooms in the building having been engaged.

The work is to be even more aggressively prosecuted for the next session. Prof. J. B. O’Neall Holloway, Belwood, S. C., has been secured as the canvassing agent for South Carolina and Georgia. Prof. Holloway is an enthusiast in education, and the institution feels that she is ably represented in his person. President Miller will more extensively canvass other fields, now that he has an assistant.

The President will deem it a great favor if friends and former students will send him the names of all young ladies who are contemplating going off to a boarding school that he may send them the new catalogue which is now ready for distribution.

Mt. Pleasant, N. C., May 31.