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About The Nebraskan. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1892-1899 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1893)
IOO THE NEBRASKAN h atactic Hotes. On Friday evening, March 19, the annual gymnasium exhibition was given by the boys of the gymnasium classes under the direction of Prof. Bowcn. The exhibition was a suc cess in every particular. The program was well arranged and the exhibition was com pleted without a break. The audience was not a large one, being limited to invitations, but it was highly appreciative, and each per formance received approbation in the usual manner. The program was divided into two parts, the first part consisting of class work, the second of contests. The first part was well given, its features being the skirt dance, ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay by the "wand" class, and at a gentle request from the audience it was repeated. In the second part of the pro gram, the first event was the high dive which was won by E. E. Woodward. The second event was the standing high-jump which was won by L. J. Carey. The fence vault was won by W. R. Williams. The standing kick was next, the highest altitude being won by J. M. Roberts. He was not as tall as some of his opponents, but he seemed to be built that way. Chas. Applegate won the rope-climbing contest. The running high-jump was won by H. B. Snyder who amused the audi ence by his peculiar way of running. Some how his weird gallop reminded one of "Ich abod Crane's" wild ride, but like Ichabod, he saved his bacon by clearing four feet, seven inches. E. E. Swearingen won the long dive. The program was completed by atug-at-war between two of the classes. Prof. Lyon acted as referee, to the entire satisfac tion of all concerned. During the rendering of the program, Prof Bowcn gave a splendid exhibition of club swinging. His skill in that line cannot be doubted. He handled the clubs excellently, and the performance brought forth round after round of applause. On the evening following, the young la dies of the gymnasium gave an exhibition. It was the event of the season in university circles, and had been looked forward to for a long time. Between two and three hundred invitations were issued, and needless to say, they were all accounted for on the evening of the entertainment. The entertainment will never be forgotten by those who saw it. It was beautiful from beginning to end, and not a break occurred to mar the pleasure of the audience. The class performances showed very careful training, and the precis ion with which they moved would put the cadets to shame. The young ladies num bered about 115, and each showed a thor ough knowledge of the part she had to per form. They were dressed in dark-blue lad ies' gymnasium suits,and a dazzingly beauti ful picture they formed in marked contrast to the appearance ol the boys the nigh'l be fore, not more than half of whom had gym nasium suits. The program was begun with marching by the first-year classes. Their performance was marked by splendid precision and grace, and they were applauded at every turn. This was followed by an exhib ition on the ladders, and much ability and training was shown by the ease with which they ascended and descended. Club swing ing followed, and a fine exhibition of this muscle-developing art was given. Professor Bowen deserves much credit for the perfec tion that has been attained in this branch of his training. Following this came the dumb bell drill, the wand exercises, and the class in Delsarte, all of which deserve special men tion, but space is too short. The program was closed with free gymnastics, concluding with a grand march which was participated in by all the classes. It was a fitting close for such a performance. They went through many graceful figures, eliciting round after round of applause, and finally marched away like a conquering army ; and tl ey were con querors ; the audience was captivated, cap tured, lost. As we walked homeward, the last thing we heard was the victorious gymnasium "yell," and with a good-will we echoed back, "Hur rah for the girls of the Uni. Gym." Sa&jrjMa arweaa$--rx'