corner of Sterling place & Vanderbilt avenue
Brooklyn Union-Argus
3 July 1877

Nine girls and two boys constituted the Class of ’77 that yesterday
afternoon graduated from Public School No. 9, corner of Sterling place and
Vanderbilt avenue, which is so near Prospect Park that one can look from the
windows of the institution directly upon some of the most picturesque roads
and paths of this beautiful resort. The parents and friends of the fortunate
eleven were out in full force to witness the leave-taking of teachers and
pupils, while the occasion was dignified by the presence of 
Messrs. Edward ROWE, 
John Y. CULYER and John FLYNN, of the Local Committee 
Mr. SPRAGUE,of the Board of Education. 
Superintendent FIELD occupied a position of prominence near the 
Principal, Prof. Algernon S. HIGGINS. 
The teacher of the highest academic grade, Mrs. NORTHRUP, 
those of the two next highest grades, Misses BRIDGAN and Mary E. HAMLIN, 
were also present. 
A pupil, Miss Hattie MALTBY, presided at the piano.

The salutatorian was Miss Lydia R. NELSON, 
who performed her task both feelingly and gracefully. 

Several recitations relieved by choruses by the higher grades followed. 
Miss Clara A. FITZHARRIS gave 'The Last Voyage;'
Miss Mary I. GIBBINS, 'Pictures of Memory;' 
Miss Frances H. WALSH, 'Order for a Picture;' 
Miss Ida R. WACHHOLDER, 'The Picture.'  

All acquitted themselves so well that to make distinctions could not 
but seem invidious. A 'Class Rhyme,' as delivered by Miss Clara A. FITZHARRIS, 
was a delightfully ingenious performance. 

Miss Mary A. GRAY then finely recited 'Zenobia’s Defence,' 
Miss Eliza A. LEDDY, 'The Painter of Seville,' in an equally pleasing manner, 
after which the audience were entertained with a well rendered dialogue 
entitled scene from 'Pizarro,' in which the following
participated: 
Rolla, Carlos A. STOUGHTON; 
Alonzo, John L. McKINNEY;
Sentinel, Conrad J. SCHANZ; 
Elvira, Clara A. FITZHARRIS.

Miss Maggie BELL, assisted by the school, then brought Part First of the
programme to a close with a song and chorus entitled 'The Rose Bush.'
Miss BELL displayed a sweet voice to good advantage.

In Part Second, 
Miss Teresa ROONEY gave as a recitation 'The Bridge of Sighs,' and was 
rewarded for her pains with applause. 

A duet and chorus,'The Alpine Herdsman,' followed 
Misses Lina C. SWEENEY and Rosa ARTHUR singing, with the school sustaining 
the chorus. 

Master Conrad J. SCHANZ read 'European Guides' with spirit and in a manner 
which strongly affected the risbilities of the audience. 

Miss Ida R. WACHHOLDER had something to say about 'Reporters' in a well-written essay. 
Judging from the amount of applause which followed, her effort was appreciated. 

Miss Rosa ARTHUR and Master John DANIELSON sang in a pleasing manner 
'Angels are Watching Us,'after which two recitations were happily given, 

'Rienzi’s Address,' by Master Carlos A. STOUGHTON, 
'The Legend of Bregenz,' by Miss Jennie C.LYONS. 

A dialogue entitled 'A Precious Pickle,' was then spiritedly given by
the following young ladies: 
Miss Pease, Frances WALSH; 
Sadie Bean, Carrie FITZHARRIS; 
Jennie Frost, Ida WACHHOLDER; 
Bessie Snow, Mary L. GIBBINS;
Juno, Katie STEWARD; 
Mrs. Gabble, Eliza A. LEDDY; 
Sissy Gabble, Mary GRAY.

The solo, 'O Fair Dove, O Fond Dove,' was then sung by Miss Lena C. SWEENEY.
The young lady acquitted herself very successfully. 

The youngest girl in the class, Miss Mary A. GRAY, who is only twelve 
years of age, delivered the valedictory. Though a mere child she showed 
herself to be possessed of remarkable ability for one so young.

The diplomas were then presented to the graduating class as follows, 
Mr. ROWE and Superintendent FIELD making brief addresses: 
Mary A. GRAY, 
Ida R. WACHHOLDER, 
Teresa M. ROONEY, 
Lydia R. NELSON, 
Frances H. WALSH, 
Jennie C. LYONS, 
Carrie A. FITZHARRIS, 
Mary L. GIBBINS, 
Eliza A. LEDDY, 
Carlos A. STOUGHTON 
Conrad J. SCHANZ.

The class song, of which the following is the last stanza, was then sung,
and concluded the exercises:

Parting, loved schoolmates, it may be for years,
And it may be forever and aye,
Lovingly, tenderly each heart is stirred
As the farewell is spoken to day.

Transcriber: Kathleen Paton
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