Upset Parents in Hillsboro

 

School entertainments were a topic of discussion in the sources.

Types of Entertainment

• A school in Academy, W. Va., gave an entertainment that included both frivolous and serious elements. The frivolous side was meant to illustrate the joyousness of the approaching season, while the serious parts were to characterize thoughts that should "enter the deepest recess of every heart".
• A program of entertainment was given by girls and boys on December 24th.
• The Hillsboro school planned to have a magician perform at their school on December 21st. The magician's performance would include feats of illusion and "human comprehension". The magician was named Grant Rosevelt.

Controversy

• There was some controversy surrounding the Academy school's entertainment, with some people speaking out against it.
• A Rev. Mr. Sydenstricker reportedly stopped sending his children to the school because of the "grand failure of the entertainment". However, Mr. Sydenstricker told the school principal that he was taking his children out because of a change at the school and because they were missing too many recitations, not because he objected to her teaching. He also stated that he had not heard anyone object to the entertainment.

Purpose of Entertainment

• The entertainment was used to showcase the talents of the students.
• School entertainments may have also been used to raise money for the school.

Other Notes

• The principal of the school, O.M. Shearer, noted that this kind of performance had been given twice before in different locations and with intelligent audiences without any objections.
• The school principal also expressed hope that the entertainment would be seen as a success with the help of the community.
• It was noted that all of the young people that are coming into the church should be happy, hopeful, and mirthful. It also notes that the world is full of sorrow and needs cheer, is full of despondency, and needs hope and that it is full of cowardice and needs courage.