James Madison University - Bluestone Schoolmaam Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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What Vv e Have Been HE past is the firm ground in which the roots of the future have their holdings. When in the rush of the on-coming years we shall pause in life ' s battle to draw a breath of power from what lies behind us, no period of our past will stand out more vividly, perhaps, than these two years of school. It is here that many of our highest purposes have come into being and our chief plans taken form. It is here that we have changed from the chil- dren of yesterday into the women of today. Even our difficulties, trials, and failures here, surrounded by a splendid halo of old associations, will one day shine out as blessed memories. To live ami learn and he All that nut harms distinctive womanhood — this is fhe ideal that has hovered before us. In older to move toward this end, mentally, we have found our way through innumerable texts on psychology, mathematics, and science. Morally, not trusting in those unconscious forces of which we hear so much, we have attempted the text- book plan in ethics, with what success our neighbors can assure you. Physically, we have spent hours either in the gymnasium, pacing the board-walk, or on the basket-ball and tennis courts. Practically, we have gone into the schoolroom day after day and directed those plastic minds into the right channels though we always lived under the fear that our minds were benefited more than were the children ' s by the experiments. Our aim has not been altogether selfish, for in striving towards it the welfare of our beloved school has ever been the controlling thought. The majority of us came at the beginning; we entered school-life on the same day with our strong young Alma Mater herself; we have seen and had some share in the initiation and growth of many of her largest plans and most progressive movements; hence we have enjoyed a sweet sense of comradeship winch is entirely consistent with the deepest reverence. When we entered, on that beautiful day in September, 1909. out- school was new, our instructors were new, and we were new. After a few days of becoming accustomed to these novelties, and especially of getting used to the strange new thing of not living at home, we went to work setting up a standard for ourselves and for our sisters-to-come. 23

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benior Class Motto To live and learn and be All tlutl notharms distinctive womanhood. Emblem Maiden-hair Fern ( ' olors Green a nd White Honorary Member: Yetta S. Shoningek Officers President Elsie Naomi Shickel Vice-President Annie Lillian Davis Secretary Vergilia Pendleton Sadleu Treasurer Virginia Scott Dunn The First Ai..m. Matek stands and watches, Sees her eldest daughter go, Hands outstretched would fain have kept her, [f this might have been — but no — Frinii beyond the distant mountains ( (thcr voices call away ; So the yearning impulse changes To such prayer as mothers pray; And her child, so true and loyal, Turning hack with wistful eye. Sees the hands outstretched in blessing — Blessing and good-bye!

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Having the modern spirit, we began in the middle, the Junior year. Therefore we cannot trace our origin to that aristocratic, though often shamefully abused, body called Freshmen. However, we can sympathize with them in all their sorrows; and we have tried this year to be their friends and protectors. We came as Juniors; but the responsibilities thrown upon our shoulders, as upon those of an elder sister, created among us at that early age the Senior spirit, which has only prepared us to bear the greater burdens and duties of real seniorhood. During our Junior year we were few in numbers but many in organi- zations. The Professional Class took the lead in organizing, as it has done in many other things. The Normal Class early demanded awe and respect for their scholarship and philosophical bearing. We soon learned that the Household Arts Class could do other things besides cook and sew. The Manual Arts Class was distinguished as well for its hand- some members as for their beautiful paintings, while the Kindergarten Class surpassed us all in the envied art of story-telling. Of the individual qualities which contribute to the strength of a body, our class has showed great variety as well as excellence. Minds philosophical, scientific, musical, artistic, literary, practical, and pedagogi- cal, have all been blended in the work for a common cause. Though some came with greater talents than others and their achievements have been greater, we have all labored with that which we ha d, and we who had least have gained a bountiful reward. Quicklv the first session had passed, and commencement day with the Governor came and went. Then at last we turned our faces homeward, leaving a few behind us to protect our rights at the Normal School dur- ing the summer term, and incidentally to revel in the hidden treasures of Colaw and Elwood ' s Advanced Arithmetic and other things equally de- lightful. Surely a vacation never passed so quickly, for almost before we knew it we were again entering the doors of Science Hall. After one night of picture-hanging and letter-writing we became adjusted to our Senior position. Indeed, it was a pleasure to be introduced to a new girl with the explanatory remark. She ' s a Senior. or to be eved with awe and reverence; for Seniors had never before been known in these regions. But we soon found that Senior life means work. Seniors must preside at the meetings of literary societies, must lead the devotional exercises of the Y. W. C. A., must direct the work of the Athletic Associa- 24