Annie Wright School - Shield Yearbook (Tacoma, WA)

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SEMINARY TRADITIONS CRADmONS lend individuality to a school. The most vivid and colorful memories that graduates associate with their Alma Mater are strongly cen- tered in them. The Seminary is a school unusually rich in traditions which play an important part in the life of the girls. It is the purpose of the following section to present a record of the traditional privileges, ceremonies, and events which through their long standing have becomr an intpitrni part of Seminary life today. The day of arrival at the Seminary in the fall is the date of Annie s Birthday Party. This marks the first of traditional extra-curricular activities. The Head- mistress welcomes the girls and faculty in the Great Hall, and all the new girls are introduced to the group. The Masque Club initiates the girls into the more comical aspect of school life with a rather hastily organized but entertaining skit. Then the entire group join hands to form a huge circle as they sing the Alma Mater. The evening is climaxed by the cutting of Annie s birthday cake. This celebration is soon followed by the old girl - new girl party, the main feature of which is a basketball competition, held in Keator Hall on the first Saturday of the term. October brings Hallowe ' en, which at the Seminary is one of the most hilar- ious occasions of the year. Day students and boarders alike fill the dining-room with an amazing collection of unique costumes. After dinner everyone moves to Keator Hall, where the best of the costumes receive prizes. Here the faculty and each class of the Upper School present skits in competition for the Hallowe ' en Cup. As soon as the girls return from Thanksgiving vacation, preparations for the Christmas festivities begin. All the classes and the Mothers Club contribute to the success of the Christmas Carnival held in Keator Hall early in December. It is. however, sponsored by the seniors to help them obtain the fund necessary for the publication of the Shield. Gay booths of novelties, doll collections, enticing food, concessions, fortune telling, and a giant tree filled with trinkets completely change the aspect of Keator Hall. In recent years the Carnival has been supple- mented by a fashion show in the Great Hall for which the girls do the modeling. Soon after the Carnival it is time for the juniors to assume the leadership in decorating the school for the Christmas season. The gigantic tree which they trim for the front window of the Great Hall becomes the center of attraction. But no less important to the girls is the creche that is assembled each year on a table in the front hall. The week before Christmas vacation is noted for the importance of its activities. The first of these is the Christmas play. Both actors and audience contribute a spirit of reverence to this presentation of the Holy Nativity. This eventful week before Christmas vacation is remembered for yet another tradition. Perhaps the loveliest and most unforgettable of the Seminary traditions are those which take place in our Chapel. Certainly the afternoon Carol Service on the day before vacation is such a tradition. The evergreen decorations, the blending of many voices in carols, and the deep significance of the service can never be forgotten bv those who have attended it. 12

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tiE eighth headmistress in the history of (Ke oeminary. Miss Ruth Jenkins, took her place among this honored line of Seminary principals in 1942. She hecame a part of the school almost at once, surrendering her whole spirit and selfless energies to its welfare. During her first year she was faced with the most critical period the Seminary had experienced. Her tireless efforts and excel- lent business ability played a large part in the continuation of the school, whose existence beyond this year was for some time a matter of doubt. Once the school was firmly established financially. Miss Jenkins devoted herself to all aspects of school life. Materially, she has accomplished innumerable improvements . But her greatest contribution lies in the personal contact she maintains with every girl. She is their ready confidante. Each one is keenly conscious of the unceasing inter- est Miss Jenkins takes in her — personally and academically. This sincere interest, combined with her wisdom and her delightful personality, have made her dearly loved bv t lu) knoxN ' her. 1 1

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The first traditional event after the hohday falls on the nineteenth of January, the birthday of Bishop Paddock, when Founder ' s Day is commemorated with a Communion Service in Raynor Chapel, attended by alumnae, students, and fac- ulty. Following it. the alumnae and the seniors meet with the Bishop and the Headmistress for luncheon in Paddock Hall. In the afternoon the Alumnae Asso- ciation has its annual meeting for the election of officers. On Easter Even. Raynor Chapel again becomes the scene of a traditional chapel service. The spring flowers seem to bloom especiallv ff)r this Carol and Baptismal Service, which was originated by Miss Jenkins. The spring is especially notable for May Day. when the entire school, march- ing to Melody in F. pays homage to the May Queen and her court. The seniors wear their special May Day dresses, and the rest of the school is in white. The Queen is attended by a maid of honor elected from the junior class and a flag- bearer from the sophomore class. After the Queen has been crowned, the dance group entertains. The formality of the May Day court is ended by the winding of the May pole. The Seminary grounds and architecture lend themselves beau- tifully to these events: it is no less than a tragedy for the school if the weather makes it necessary to use Keator Hall for May Day. The May Queen receives a reminder of her honor in the form of a small gold scepter-shaped pin which is presented to her at the Athletic Association Banquet on the evening of May Day. At this function all the athetic awards — cups, medals, letters, and chevrons —are pre.sented by the head of the Physical Education Department. Much interest attends the Headmistress ' announcement of the results of the election of Student Council officers. But the peak of the evening is reached with the awarding of the Key. The Saturday before May Day is Dads Day. the time for Seminary fathers to see the school and meet each other. In the afternoon there is a baseball game on the hockey field, the excitement of which seems to out-weigh the resulting ach- ing muscles and sunburns of the guests. After an archery exhibition or a swim- ming meet, at which the Dad s are spectators, everyone is ready for dinner. Instrumental and vocal music which the fathers generously supply makes this a gay occasion. Only the interest in the closing entertainment of the evening, pro- vided by the Masque Players, succeeds in drawing the group from the merrymaking. Within the year there are three traditional dances: the Junior Dance and the Freshman-Sophomore Hop in the winter for the whole Upper School: and the Junior Prom in the spring given in the Great Hall in honor of the seniors. The girls devote much time and thought to achieving ingenious and original decora- tions which conceal the true function of Keator Hall and to emphasizing the beauty of the Great Hall with spring blossoms. The activity and gaiety of the year give way to a new note of serious reflec- tion on Baccalaureate Sunday, the day which begins the final week of the school year. The Bishop speaks at the afternoon service held in Raynor Chapel on this occasion. For the fi rst time durinc; the year the seniors wear their white caps and gowns. During the service all thoughts are centered in the seniors, who sit to- gether at the front of the chapel.