Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts - Mohawk Yearbook (North Adams, MA)

Page 19 text:

CLASS HISTORY 1936 It was one of those cool, crisp September mornings with just a hint of frost in the air, when an eager group of freshmen lifted anchor and left the home porteeready to sail the high seas. We were welcomed on our voyage by more experienced sailors, our Big Sisters. They helped us to overcome any touches of seasickness, and created for us a hospitable atmosphere. Under their guidance we entered into social affairs of all kinds. In fact, we have achieved great fame as the socially minded crewu. The Greylock hike, class dances, proms, Christmas caroling, the winter carnival, play days, and numerous other events, initiated for us as freshmen, still hold delightful memories at the end of four years. By the beginning of February, we had gained enough prestige to be enlisted as ship's officers. Dorothea Hoffmann was chosen captain with Kathryn McGee, Marion Wood, and Ruth Pitt' singer as her mates. Our naval advsior was Miss Weston, from the faculty. june was fast app' roaching, the time for vacation, and rest from our duties on ship board. After a two months' furlough we returned to port. This second voyage was most event- ful, for in November we witnessed the induction of President Eldridge. His loyalty, untiring devotion, and high ideals have truly been an inspirationto us. We were glad to welcome Helen Dargie to our ranks this year, for where had we seen such agility as she possessed on the basket- ball floor? A friendly greeting and cheery smile won for her many friends during her brief stay with us. May 17 marked the occasion of the first Cap and Gown Day in our historyf Twenty- two seniors donned the stately cap and gown as a symbol of the scholastic rank they had achieved. We were indeed proud of their accomplishments, and were challenged to gain great honor for ourselves. In june, our hearts were saddened by the thoughts of losing two faculty members. Miss Baright and Miss Cwens, who had both completed long years of willing szr- vice, were bidden farewell. The following fall showed many changes. Miss Underhill and Miss Batchelder joined our ship's advisory board for the first time, while we welcomed Miss Dix after a yearls period of study. This year brought us more closely into contact with our profession, for we sighted Mark Hopf kins Training School, weighed anchor, and spent nine weeks in intensive training. As spring in all its beauty came upon us, we devoted much attention to the May Day festival, which was a very happy and colorful occasion. Kit McGee as the Spirit of Spring was very refreshing and lovely. We owe much of the success of this event to Miss Dix. who spent tireless hours pref paring for it. Our second Cap and Gown Day came, and we as juniors realized that only a year remained before we should stand in the seniors' places. Graduation was a blending of joy and sadness. We rejoiced at the success of the graduates. but dreaded to see them depart. Good fortune had come to Miss Dix, but we could not bear to have her leave us. Amid the excitement. we even realized that some of our own classmates might not return in the fall. September came with its autumn skies. We were reminded of a certain day three years before when we entered N.A.S.T.C. as freshmen. This time we were returning to our Alma Mater as dignified seniors. Certain familiar faces were missing. It seems the salty air of the sea did not agree with all our crew, for some had left to become entwined in the bonds of matrimony, while others decided to begin the teaching profession. Their choice of location ranged from the lonely wilds of Mt. Washington to the more urban districts of Pittsfield and Dalton. The vacant chair in the Music Department left by Miss Dix was filled by Miss Boyden. This year we did not drift very far from our course, but studied long and diligently. Perhaps this sudden fever, as it were, came as a result of the good influence of Marie Clark and Sylvia Paradis, who recently came on board. Ivlidfyears seemed to be the chief obstacle we were obliged to meet on this, our last voy- age. Yes, we even managed to round this Horn, difficult as the passage was. We were proud of the dramatic talents displayed by many of our crew in the production of Iceboimd. Perhaps we'll see these members on the stage in the future. Now that our voyage is nearly completed, and we are about to take our places in the profes' sional world, we realize what these four years have meant to us. They will long linger in our memories as happy hours of work and play spent with dear friends. RUTH B. PITTSINGER Q36 17

Page 18 text:

CAP AND GOWN DAY Thursday, May 7, 1936 at 3.30 O'cloclc PROCESSIONAL ..,.. Elgar RECOMMENDATION PROM THE FACULTY Beth A. Weston, Class Adviser APPIKOVAL BY THE PRESIDENT Albert G. Eldridge INvEsTITuRE PLEDGE OF SERVICE RECITATIVE AND PRAYER PROM CTELLO , . Verdi Chorus FELICITATIONS FROM TI-IE JUNIORS Helen M. Stokey, President RESPONSE FROM THE SENIORS Dorothea L. Hoffmann, President PASSAGE BIRDS' FAREWELL ...,.. I-Iildfich Clee Club ADDIKBSS Frank W. Wright, Director Division of Elementary and Secondary Education and State Teachers Colleges ALMA MATER RECESSIONAL Svendsen Members of the Senior class donned the traditional habiliments of scholarship at the impresf sive investiture ceremonies held on the afternoon of May 7. To the strains of Elgar's famous Processional played by the college ensemble, the procesf sion entered the hall, headed by the faculty in academic regalia. Next came the seniors followed by members of the junior class. The recommendation that the seniors be presented with caps and gowns was made by Miss Beth Weston, class advisor. President Albert G. Eldridge formally approved the recommendation. Members of the junior class then stepped forward and invested the seniors with caps and gowns. The seniors then gave the pledge of service in unison. Miss Stokey, president of the junior class, offered felicitations from the juniors, to which Miss Dorothea Hoffmann, president of the senior class, responded fittingly. A challenging and thoughtfprovoking message was delivered by Dr. Frank W. Wright, State Director of Elementary and Secondary Education and State Teachers Colleges in Massa' chusetts. After the ceremonies, President and Mrs. Eldridge entertained at their home the faculty, the seniors, and the juniors. 16

Page 20 text:

JUNIOR CLASS HISTORY Book worms boast that they can journey to the four corners of the earth, enjoy the coolness of the frigid regions in midfsummer, or be transferred to the midst of the African jungle in January. But a really first class dreamer can do more than this. Yes, she can remember the hours spent on the warm sands at the Seashore watching the waves-first, a swell, then a lacelike frill at the top, spreading the length of the swell, then, the top of the wave leaned forward showing a smooth, shining front, and a crest covered with bridal spray. Then it crashed with a dull roar and travel' led, foaming, up and over the hot sands, cooling them with its eager tongue. Ah, yes, and as she remembered this, she recalled the same thoughts that occupied her mind just as those waves came travelling toward her. june really seemed a long time ago, but the events of the past three years were clearly etched in her memory. That first day of school when, alone and frightened, she stood in answer to her name, that long receiving line and the good time she had at the Freshman Reception, that first Hallowe'en Party, and that first dance, all caused a faint but happy smile to cross her countenance. They were happy daysfevery one! She would never forget those picnics, those Greylock hikes, nor those Christmas parties. She could not help grinning as she remembered certain little humor' ous incidents at the training school. Then came spring and June-and the smiling face saddened. School and its drudgeries were forgotten in those days. How far off September seemed! just as the soft lap, lap of the water along the shore was a part of the whole enchanting memory, so is this thought that we, the Class of 1937, depart with deep in our hearts, a vital part of our first three years at North Adams. Friendship is a gay thing, A thing of wings and song, A thing that dwells within the heart All the whole day long, A thing that grows in darkest place, That blooms in darkest hours, A thing that in dead winter comes Bringing scent of flowers, A thing that even darkest night Can't hide from worldy view, And even failure loses its sting As long as friends are true. RITA MEAD, '37 18