SUNY Plattsburgh - Cardinal Yearbook (Plattsburgh, NY)

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practice of food conservation — mentally speaking. The menu of mental delicacies supplied by the faculty indeed stimulated us but the adequate digestion of it all took from February until June. Shortly after mid-year the Junior class organized choosing as its manager Mr. Girard. Like Charles Dillingham, Mr. Girard realized from the outset what such a position meant and worked in the interests of those for whom he was held responsible. Right at this point a noteworthy incident occurred behind the scene. The Seniors feeling that our intellects hadn ' t sufficiently matured to conduct a business meeting decided to await its outcome. Naturally of a restless, weary disposition they became uneasy as a child docs when awaiting something that is promised him. In the course of one of the episodes they so adjusted part of the scenery that it resulted in a misfortune to one of our actresses and somewhat hampered the progress of events. How deplorable ! a class supposed to be superior to us in standing and years. Such a class took pleasure in bringing chaos and dis- order upon the members of our caste. Shortly after this one morning the rear of the assembly hall presented a commendable spectacle when each member of the Junior class wearing our class colors, red, white and blue, and equipped with a copy of our class song stood in eager suspense to let the Seniors know we were there. The Seniors sat aghast as they listened to the strains of our melody absolutely unable to appreciate the opportunity that was afforded them. All that day, however, we thought that the Seniors had sworn allegiance to the Kaiser for they totally ignored our class. Fortunately this idea was misjudged on our part for we later discovered that owing to a lack of mental alertness they were unable at all times to recognize the red, white and blue. Onward the Junior class perscveringly strove until we were soon aware that the first scene of our drama had been successfully played. Friendships that had grown up between the two classes were about to be severed. Although we were conscious of the short-comings of the Seniors, yet we knew their good points outweighed their weaker ones and as a testimonial of our good will we enter- tained them with a dance on the evening of June 15, 1917. which proved an en- joyable success. The Senior Reception followed shortly after this and then Com- mencement day after which the lively, busy classrooms and corridors were sub- dued once more to silence for the summer months. It was soon September, however, and on the morning of the twelfth almost all our number were once more assembled for the enactment of our final scene. Now we were Seniors. Ours was the duty to guide and encourage those en- trusted to our care, namely, the Juniors. Pane seventeen

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Alpha and Omega Among Shakespeare ' s famous writings we find this passage : All the world ' s a stage, And all its men and women merely players : They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts. So we might with Shakespeare fittingly compare the past two years of our lives with the scenes of a drama, the climax of which is near at hand. The morning of September IS, 1916 witnessed the rising of the curtain as our caste composed of about seventy-five characters filed into the corridors and classrooms of the Plattsburgh State Normal to stage what we anticipated— a successful production. Although we were young and inexperienced on the stage of human life and although wc hadn ' t among our number any actresses of an Anne Pennington or Bessie Macoy Davis type yet we had the courage of our con- victions that we learn to do by doing and so launched out bravely with the greatest of confidence and severity. For the first few weeks Normal life was indeed a novelty. Rush parties and sorority teas proved to be fitting precautions against homesickness. To be sure these were a privilege, but the Junior class knew how to use them and for the most part were wise in attending to work before play. At the close of the social season both the Generals and Commercialites retired to a more secluded life. Tilling the soil of mind and pulling the weeds of error were the order of the day. Soon the holidays were at hand and after a few days of rest to regain our equilibrium the Junior class was in better spirits than ever to carry on its noble work. Mid-year with all that it meant loomed up before us with an unusual problem, namely, a series of final exams, but the Juniors with few exceptions ably mastered the situation. Following this according to the usual custom we were favored with a little recreation which took the form of a mid-year dance. After commendable preparation on the part of some of the Juniors and Seniors the big social event proved a creditable success on the evening of January 30, 1917. The second semester then dealt out to each one of us ample rations to keep us mentally satisfied. The Generals particularly appreciated this diet both in quality and quantity for previous to this time they had been trying out the Page sixteen

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lTie usual social activities predominated for the first few weeks. These, however, were shortlived for the Seniors desiring to keep up their good reputation settled down to work in a firm business-like way. The members of our drama then reorganized by means of a Senior class meeting at which Miss Robb was this time elected manager. The time sped on all too fast until mid-year with its gloomy anticipations was upon us. But the Seniors naturally optimistic and endowed with something of an idea of the subject matter of the first term ' s work managed to survive at this particular period. The second semester rolled around witli its problems for each one of us but the fact that we were Seniors made it necessary that we surmount any difficulty so of course we accepted the new contributions with all manner of cheerfulness and good will. Along with its daily labors the Senior class succeeded in awakening the Juniors from a listless, dreamy state of mind to which they had fallen victims. We felt that our efforts had been more than repaid for not only did we accom- plish our purpose but we acquired a clearer conception of the meaning of the Renaissance which so often troubled us in History of Education. To be sure wc might feel that our production was enhanced by having the opportunity to present it to an audience even though it were in the form of an analogy to such a profound occurrence as the awakening in the Middle Ages. On the evening of March 16 the gymnasium was the scene of a very en- joyable social function in which both Juniors and Seniors and their friends took pact. The effective decorations and the fine music for which the committees in charge should be credited contributed in no small part to the success of this event. The time from this point on seemed as a fleeting hour whose end was destined shortly to be upon us. Indeed these two years although they have been filled with labors have been pleasant ones. Now that the curtain is about to lower, I feel that our sentiments should be expressed toward those who have made possible the success of our past undertaking. And in behalf of the class of 1918 I extend to our honored faculty our sincere gratitude. Our struggle together has joined us more closely as a class, and has deepened our friendships, which we will carry with us through life. Whatever and wherc- ever we may be in the future, we shall always remember the golden haze of student days, and endeavor to be everywhere loyal to our Alma Mater, to our Country and the Right. Catherine McQuillan. Payc riyhtirn