MacMurray College - Tartan / Illiwoco Yearbook (Jacksonville, IL)

Page 33 text:

Seniors Enter Round of ' TiVsf and ' ' Lasf Actwities, Climaxing in June Commencement Senior year! It seemed almost impossible that the nine months of comprehensives, concentration papers, recitals, concerts, and parties had finally come. But the eighty seniors, fresh from a year of Kathryn Hail and their dreaming, scheming, crooning hours as juniors, got into the swing of campus life once more. September and October flew by, and with November ' s crowded calendar came the first of many strictly senior activities, the Senior Tea. It was held on Nov. 4, under the direction of Esther Wilding. Only ten days later the long-awaited Senior Recognition Chapel arrived, and for the first time — officially — the class marched in their caps and gowns. That day was another first — the first time the seniors stood in their circle and sang Underneath the silvery beams of dear old Mammy Moon, in a new arrangement by Evelyn Haas and Kathleen Henninger. That night the sophomores serenaded their sister class, and at the crack of dawn the next morning busses sneaked the seniors away for cut day in St. Louis. It was a full twenty-four hours of shopping, dining, and agreeing that Katherine Hepburn was perfect in Shakespeare ' s As You Like It at the American Theater. Thanksgiving hymns echoed through the dorms early on that holiday as seniors processed singing. That whole weekend brought another whirl of memories. With Rose Cumino as chairman and Flamingo as the theme, the class presented the traditional Senior Ball, Saturday, Nov. 25. Art Mooney and his orchestra produced the musical background, while couples danced among modernis- tic, abstract decorations. Marion Veath reigned as Queen, with Dixine Verstegen and Esther Wilding as her attendants. On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the upperclass played turn about and honored the sophomores at a Recognition Day dinner with Martha Lucas in Christmas comes to Rutledge. Decorating the tree are senior officers, Dr. Ruth Rose, class adviser; Helen Van Emden, president; Martha Lucas, treasurer; Dixine Verstegen, vice-president; Shirley Dobbins, secretary; and Pat Nelson, alumnae secretary. charge. As graduation, behind a cloud of We ' ll never be able to get everything done, loomed ahead, Nancy Nowe was chosen senior gift chair- man, and in the all-school elections Jane Knetzer was picked to serve as Dads Day chairman, and Marilyn Miles to plan the May Court celebration. Green grass for Commencement reared its head once more, and seniors watched gratefully as the student body remained on the sidewalks. The juniors began lantern drill practice, and the final race against time was begun. Last minute reports and parties cropped up. On May 19, Mrs. Hawkins and Mrs. Cunningham entertained at their senior party, and the McClellands ' Senior Banquet was held May 26 in the dining hall. Last chapel s aw the awards for graduate scholarships and fellowships; the Honor Society was picked. And the last week- end of May Court, May Dance, Baccalaureate, and Commencement itself, June 3, was over. Dr. Ruth Rose, senior class adviser; Paula Haga, Rutledge Hall president; and Mrs. Myrtle Wal- raven, house mother. 29