Plymouth State University - Conning Tower Yearbook (Plymouth, NH)

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68 “THE CONNING TOWER” 1 9 3 0 Dalton High School A day which one is happy to experience has arrived!—the day during which is received tin assignment to one of the training schools. The day set for our arrival at Dalton was September 7. a rainy day; hilt Eunice Eiske, Mildred Kelley, and Thelma Ilall were cordially greeted by Miss Taylor, the critic teacher. Much to our surprise, the state had made arrangements for our use of tin first floor of the Grange Hall. This was to be our home and it was surely made very homelike for us. When we arrived, the Grand Hall was in a stage of transition. Prior to the agreement, the first floor of the building had been used as a dining-hall and kitchen for Grange suppers. When we arrived we found partitions up, floors freshly painted, and furniture in the rooms, which we recognized as coming from the dormitories at Plymouth. It took little time to make our rooms homelike; but we were delayed in furnishing and arranging the furniture in the kitchen and living-room, because the workmen were engaged in digging through a ledge to a most wonderful spring for our water supply. It certainly was worth waiting For. We had the pleasure of seeing the beginning of the dormitory, just as the first cadets of last year experienced the pleasure of seeing the beginning of the high school. After finding out where we were to live, our next interest was tin school itself. Everything was in readiness, floors washed, new oilcloth on the tables, and blackboards newly coated with paint. Much to our surprise, the main room of the school was overcrowded the first day. Chairs were borrowed from the church, and we were told that the enrollment was to In increased the next day by seventh and eighth grade pupils who were to come from the Scott’s Junction School. So. the next day. more chairs were borrowed from the church and the dormitory, but were soon replaced by chairs purchased by the school board. Dalton High School changed, in that it had three home rooms instead of one. “Cubby holes” were placed in a suitable part of each of the new home rooms, in which the pupils should put their books and papers. The school had grown in grades as well as in enrollment, having a sophomore class, making a four-year high school—seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth grades. Extra-curricular activities were soon commenced. The boys were very enthusiastic over baseball, having Eunice Eiske as the “Empire,” who sometimes played with them. Two teams were chosen and practice time after school each night was spent in a tournament. There was a recess period of twenty minutes each morning. This time was most profitably spent and greatly enjoyed by teachers as well as pupils. Many different games were played: Volley ball was very popular at first, hut as the weather grew cooler Rom-pom-pull-a-way grew to be more so.

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“THK CONNING TOWER” 1930 67 For many years I have been a part of I . X. S., silently watching over tin campus. It was not a new sight for me. the Freshman class of 1929 coming up over the hill, gaily dressed and carrying heavily laden bags. In spite of the frequent showers I saw the Freshmen busily practicing baseball on the west campus. Saturday afternoon they left the dormitory dressed in “gym ’ suits, and carrying plates, spoons and cups. The upperclassmen, who had arrived early, were taking them to Langdon Park. Late in the evening a happy, tired group came down the street. It appeared from the conversation that they had had a delightful time eating—what do you suppose ’ hot dogs, baked beans, pickles, rolls, doughnuts and coffee. And what do I hear now—they had a baseball game with the faculty and the score hail been a tie. What strange looking people the Freshmen became the last week in October, but in fact they were no different from preceding classes. As evening draws near, what strange noises com from the “gym ”. The upperclassmen were certainly initiating the Freshmen in the proper manner, but they survived. The next morning I heard an upperclassman say. “They were good sports.” That evening more dignified sounds came from the dining-room. They were having their annual Hallowe'en banquet. The Freshmen wore the usual green caps, sang songs for the enjoyment of the upperclassmen, and the class president gave a speech as part of the program. The “gym” is decorated in red and green. A large Christmas tree is in one corner. Across the gym come five girls who have been chosen to represent the class and to give the evening’s program. Suddenly I hear wild cries and the curtain has swung aside. The following girls presented, “Not a Man in the House” -Bertha Franklin. Beatrice Fuller, Until Belanger, Marion Emery and Grace Wilson. It is easy enough to tell that it is nine-thirty, by the sudden rush and noise in the dormitory. Stop a moment! Why the sudden hush? Who is speaking? Ah, Mrs. llaigli! I’m going to hear this. “Girls, I have some good news for you. The superintendents are coining here during vacation and you must all clean up your rooms for them.” What moans and groans! I am anxiously looking forward to the .June Pageant which the Freshmen are giving. I am sure they will live up to the standard they have already set and easily earn the slogan. “All things have been done well.” (2 rack Wilson, Edith Pearson.

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“THE CONNING TOWER” 1930 69 With a change in (lie season, came a change in the curricular activities: basketball fell in line. The girls as well as the boys had a team. Practically every pupil in the school participated in this activity. The girls had a very successful season, winning every game played. Early in the year, under the supervision of Eunice Fixke, a Boys' Club was formed. The boys were very enthusiastic about giving a party in order that they might earn money to buy basketballs and necessary equipment. So they planned a Hallowe’en Box Party and entertainment which proved to be a great success from the standpoint of both pleasure and profits. A part of the proceeds was used in purchasing the boys’ basketball. The Girls’ Club showed its social ability in giving a “Weenie” roast and party to the pupils and faculty of the school, and in planning, alone, and giving a farewell surprise party to the teachers who returned to academic, work in January. Last of the activities, but not least, was the introduction of debating through the efforts of Mildred Kelley. The eighth grade history class debated, before the school during the Opening Exercise Period, the question, “Resolved that slavery should be continued in the Pnited States. Tin pupils spent some class time in preparing the debate, but the greater part was prepared outside of class. The pupils enjoyed the work and the debate went off as a howling success. In December the high school was the scene of a Christmas party, with tinseled trees and gay decorations, many guests, gifts for all. especially for the teachers, and everything else essential to a delightful evening. The first group of cadets was followed by Florence Churchill. Ellen Corey and Margaret Thompson. We hope that they will enjoy their training as much as we did ours. Thelma Hall- Hampstead High School Great anxiety and suspense as to who would be the fortunate seniors to In chosen to initiate this school as a branch of the Plymouth Xormal School family tree, was prevalent among the 03 JI3 classes last dune. The summer passed and in August we were requested to report at I lampstcad. We were doubly fortunate, for not only were we to have unequaled training under tin excellent guidance of Plymouth’s faithful critic, but we were to work with cadet-teachers from our sister Normal School. In the future, Labor Day will carry the full significance of the term. WE LABORED—. but with what fun ami for what purpose?—none other than