Bainbridge Academy Graduation, 1895

Class of '95

Commencement Exercises of Bainbridge Academy, Brilliant

Successful and Highly interesting

 

Our pretty Baptist church in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], sparkling in brilliant light and with many-hued blossoms of the season, interwoven with evergreens and the cool dewy leaves of various plants, was the scene of a beautiful drama last Wednesday evening, where the young ladies and gentlemen of the graduating class of '95 of the Bainbridge Academy, met to receive before the gaze of admiring and sympathetic friends the awards of years of careful work, also to receive congratulations that the stepping stone had been reached so successfully for their entrance upon life's duties. 

 

There was a large assemblage of people present to do honor to the occasion, and by their manifest appreciation to inspire the actors of the hour as they went through the program prescribed. 

 

The graduating class consisted of five members:  the Misses Flora M. Winston and Julia J. Ashley, and Messrs. Albert C. Wilcox, A. Winfred Ashley and Nathan E. Truman.  The themes of the essays were interesting subjects and the analysis, general treatment of each, with deductions drawn, drew forth much applause from the audience. The oration upon "Life Preservers," by A. Winfred Ashley was well delivered and enthusiastically applauded, Mr. Ashley being a pleasing speaker and using appropriate and graceful gestures.

 

The pleasures of this literary feast were further enhanced by the rendition of fine vocal music by Mr. Oscar Bowen and Miss Edith Severson, of Binghamton accompanied by the skilled artist, Miss Burr, of the same place, upon a superb piano kindly furnished by Fisher & Ogden of Oneonta, for the occasion.

 

At the close of the class exercises the diplomas were presented by Principal F.W. Crumb, then followed an address by Hon. Danforth E. Ainsworth, of Albany, deputy state superintendent of public instruction, which was of superior merit, in language,

 

The commencement role of '95 was ended and the young ladies clothed in white, emblematic of the purity of the mind, and the young men with noble purposes written upon each face, passed from the sheltering arms of their Alma Mater under the banner of "MoreLight," and with the conviction, we trust, that "Education alone can conduct us to that enjoyment which is, at once, best in quality and infinite in quantity."

 

The following is the program given:

Prayer........................................................................................................Rev. Egbert Kilpatrick

Solo--"Still as the night" (Bohm)..............................................................Miss Severson

Essay--"Mathematics"...............................................................................Albert C. Wilcox

Oration--"Life Preservers"........................................................................Andrew Winfred Ashley

Essay--"Beauty in Nature and Art"...........................................................Flora M. Winston

Songs--"A Song of the Heart" (Jordan), and "At Parting" (Rogers),,,,,,,,Mr. Bowen

Essay--"Shelley".......................................................................................Nathan Z. Truman

Essay--"Points of View",,,,,,,,,,.....................................................,,,,,,,,,,,,Julia J. Ashley

Duet--"Now the Silver Moon" (Nevin)....................................................Miss Severson & Mr. Bowen

Presentation of the Diplomas

Address.......................................................Hon. Danforth E. Ainsworth, Deputy State Superintendent

Music--.....................................................................................................Chorus

Benediction..............................................................................................Rev. R.H. Stearns