Sweet Briar College - Briar Patch Yearbook (Sweet Briar, VA)

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In the Young Women ' s Christian Association there was no lacls of enthu si asm. I iifiiiiz,- the Christmas season the members of this organization planned a Christinas tree for the Indian Mission nearby, while in the spring it raised enough money to send two delegates to the Asheville Convention. Dramatics, also, came t the front. Instead of existing as one club 3 it now funned two chapters, The Billikens and The Merry Jesters, thus making competition play an importanl part in awakening enthusiasm. Another club, which has proven extremely helpful to its members, is the Current Events Club, begun by the head of the History Department during the spring of this year. But let me tell you something more of the class spirit exhibited during the year 1908-09. As in all other institutions, there was a continual struggle of Sophomores and Freshmen. First one meeting then another was broken in upon. Sophomore banners waved gloriously in the breeze, to be taken down by the Freshmen. Plots conceived by one side were discovered by the other. Suspicion lurked in every corner, until weary of this manner of strife these classes decided to expend their energies in a more intellectual manner. Accordingly, a Debating Club was begun, and a constitution framed, providing for interelass debates. Oh! dear students, you should hear the eloquence which is called forth by the weighty subjects which these classes now discuss. Thus passed the year 1908-09, but now comes the year which we consider the most noteworthy of any — it is the year 1909-10. In this year there has been growth from the smallest to the largest of the organizations, new events have occurred, and important things will come to pass ere this year draws to a close. For the first time we have a boat-house — how you envy us now! ISlow we have our own book shop where we pay cash — oh, dear! Xow we have a separate Choir and Glee Club; now we can boast of a .Mandolin Club and of State Clubs; this year our first magazine has appeared; this year the first animal, so dear to the hearts of us all, comes forth; our first Founder ' s Day also was celebrated during the fall of this year; for the first time in our history we have, together with the Student Government Association, the honor system; at last, the long-looked-for hockey field is in view; and workmen have already begun the work for another new dormitory; again two out-door plays are being pre- pared for May day and for June. Indeed, thirty-six, the whole atmosphere is one of work, life and vigor. ft

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HB %Wi ) e Le1 us tell yon how these changes cam; ' about. The first change, which the old students noticed when they returned to College in the fall of 1907, was an attractive orange and green Noah ' s ark station instead of the little -lied which had served to shelter them from the rain the year before. There st I. too, another omnibus bright and shiny with the words Sweet Briar I ' nllrti, fully six inches tall. This second ' bus was needed, for instead of the little hand of thirty-six, Sweet Briar now boasted of ninety students. The year of 1907-08, however, is not characterized by the formation of new organizations, in fact, no one movement of the students stands out preeminently. We cannot, however, consider this a period in which no growth took place, for the organizations which were begun during the preceding year increased steadily in strength. Old constitutions were amended, and new life animated the Athletic Association and Dramatic ' Ink The Student Govern- ment Association, too. with the increase in numbers, was forced to pass new rules and inflict new penalties. During this year the faculty undertook a plan which ha- since added much to our life here. This plan was the fitting up of Dr. William ' s office as a tea house in order to earn money for the establishment of a northern scholar- ship. In the afternoons when classes are over the students find their way to this wayside inn. where they laugh and talk as they enjoy the good things there. Thus, though tin- year was not one of marked growth it was not by any means one of stagnation. The third year, on the oilier hand, was a year of the beginnings id ' things. In the first place a lame new dormitory. Randolph Hall, was added to accom- modate our one hundred and eleven students. These students seem to have within them the true college spirit, for very - ilasses were organized and (das- teams formed. The interclass games were indeed exciting ones, particu- larly the hl-t one when tile College team wa- defeated by the Specials on Monday, April 5th. u this date our tir-t Field 1 lay exercise- look place, after which a handsome silver cup was presented by the faculty to the Athletic Association, and the name of the champion of the day engraved upon this trophy. Later in the spring, also, an exciting tennis tournament showed us that the Athletic Association had indeed become a living organization. Hut these were not the only athletic achievements, for three clubs, the Tennis Club, the Boating Club, and the Coif Club were formed under the supervision of the oeneral association.

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r Rut I have not mentioned to yon the greatest achievements of our four years here. I have nol told you of an event which will take place in dune, and which will bring pride into the hearts of every student who lias lived within these walls. Can yon guess? 1 believe yon can. for you have Keen thinking, too, of this event. Y ii have been preparing, too, to come again to Sweel Briar to see our firsl Seniors as they bid us farewell. These five who are so soon to lc ave us were, as you were, pioneers. From the first they have been with us. Thev have bome the responsibilities of the firsl four years of college, and now they are to leave us with niir love and admiration to go into the broader paths of life and to show to all who know them the first fruits of a College whose name is beginning to stand for the highest, noblest, and best of our native land. May not one of the little band of thirty-six be lacking on that day when these five, whom we all love, must leave us. Jennie Hurt, 1911.