Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

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NORMAL OFFERING 29 wall by assignments which seemed to grow larger and larger, to lo-om up greater and gieater, sweeping down upon us and resist- ing our every effort to grapple with them. But we had learned that play is one of the great natural in- stincts, so we began by lending ourselves to the festivities of the Acquaintance Social, where we helped to welcome the new classes. Some of the Juniors thought we had just arrived, too. We must be bearing the burden of years and cares gracefully. Our Hrst special event was our class social, at which we gave 'CA Day at Normal beginning with our tooth brush-towel prom- enade, then breakfast, through morning Classes and lunch, with a song for every activity and a few kindly jokes at our faculty. Then came afternoon classes, ending with Modern Problems, when we presented our own special modern problems to our audience. We didn't forget mass meetings, nor fire drill either, with the aid of Mr. Stearns' garden hose. How glad we were to welcome those B's who returned for their first reunion since graduation. We had expected that, by the time we were ancient A's, we would be able to hobble around easily, not to speak of participating in such youngsters' play as sports, but after much anxious waiting and coaxing, we formed a hockey team and went out for practice. It was often difficult to gather together enough players for a game, but we played. Our only claim to glory, however, was Wounded in Actionf' We surely enjoyed ourselves at the hockey spread, where we broke the record-because Teddy had a strong right arm. We were also well represented at basketball where several A's upheld our class honor, and two of our members made the varsity team. L Those artistically inclined had joined Miss Prevost's class as the Art League and made their first formal appearance on November 19 when they gave their first Art Lecture. A second program was given on- December 8. We think that we established a reputation as a group of de- termined salesmen at Christmas time, when we button-holed every- one who came in sight to buy a card or two. So successful were we that we planned other financial ventures to enlarge the funds of our treasury. Our flourishing business was interrupted by the ire on Decem- ber 10, when we packed up and left for an extended vacation. We wondered if we should be able to complete our final year, but, I

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28 NORMAL OFFERING OFFICERS President M. DOLORES MURPHY Vice-President LILLIAN HOLLAND Treasurer ELIZABETH SAVAGE Secretary EUNICE HARVEY Class History September, 1924. And we are A's, A's! We must repeat it over and over, for it can't seem possible that we have come to the beginning of the end-our last year at Normal which seemed, when we were D's, a never, never time. We missed those other B's who left us in June, leaving their studies that they might try their heads and hands at teaching. Somehow the class seemed only half present, and when roll call came-what gaps in our ranks! We had become so accustomed to the old order of Bacon, Carr, Carter, Conner, Coulson, that we felt like a battalion ready for attack but weak in numbers. We finally awoke to the fact, however, that we had reenforce- ments. Fitchburg, Framingham, Jackson, Smith, Dartmouth, Boston College and Simmons had sent nearly enough to take the places of our lost members, and we rejoiced that Class B, I mean A, was not a mere handful of recruits, but a whole detachment. In unity there is strength, thought weg and off we started to battle for success against the combatants of our new program. And we needed all our reserves. Eighteen periods a week, with Sociology, Psychology, History of Education, History, French, Hygiene, Lit- erature, Composition, History of Art, Library, Geography, Mathe- matics, Junior High Science and Modern Problems to choose from. A modern problem, indeed, to select a program which 'would give us a few breathing spells. We struggled on, almost driven to the

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30 NORMAL OFFERING thanks to Mr. Kelly and his crew, our vacation was cut short by notices to return on January 6. Rome wasn't built in a day but our new temporary school appeared in an incredably short time, and, with the addition of a few more text books, non-erasible blackboards, thundering bells, sound proof partitions, and inartistic but convenient chimney columns, we took a deep breath and started off on our final charge. While we are very modest, yet we felt that we were entitled to a little renown, for having been at Normal four years, so we cele- brated our birthdays. The first party to-ok place in Jessie's room, in honor of Grace and Jessie, and the second hostesses were Lil and Do. Everyone had a wonderful time and plenty to eat. We certainly were very much honored when on February 10, we were invited, with the faculty, to attend the Class C Tea, a very charming and nicely conducted affair. But formal social affairs seem passe now. The Campus is alive again with would-be Babe Ruthsg and that soccer ball is surely worked overtime, usually getting the worst of the bargain unless some terrible kicker like Jessie Ferguson disables herself for a day or two. Spring has come and that reminds us that June is not far off. Already we have begun to talk of caps and gowns, Prom, graduation, degrees and positions. But it is difficult to be all gladness, all enthusiasm. While we refuse to consider the fact now, we cannot but realize that we shall be demobilized, that one day, to the tune of Alma Mater, we shall be handed our pedagogical passport, an honorable discharge with a degree attached. Each one must go his own way. The last day will come when we must say goodbye, but we will all leave with the thought that A reunions will be an inspiration to us all to return and renew the old friendships that have meant so much to us during our stay at Normal. ' We leave with many happy remembrances, and with a feeling of gratitude to those who have aided and guided us throughout our school days. We value and appreciate the sympathy, patience, and helpfulness of our faculty, and hope that we may be worthy of the time and effort they have given to us, we cannot forget those whose friendship has made school a pleasureg and we sincerely hope that wherever we go, whatever we do, we shall not be forgot- ten, that the common ideals of our Alma Mater shall ever keep us a happy and united group. E. H.