Benjamin School for Girls - Tusitala Yearbook (New York, NY)

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TUSITALA Pon 1928 THE I T ENTERTAINMENT The I T invites you to be their guest on Thursday evening, March 8, at 8 o'clockf' This was the invitation which was posted on the bulletin board a few weeks before the above date. The girls knew nothing as to the nature of the party, but were only cordially invited to attend. The evening finally arrived. After being ushered into the auditorium, the guests were most surprised to behold a moving picture, the players being the members of the I T. The name of the presentation was, The Romance of a Benjamin Girl . Benjamin New Eventsn was also, shown. Following the picture came an opportunity contest. The first number on the pro- gram was a skit given by I-Iortense Feldman and Frances Lyon. This was followed by a vocal selection by Frances Kreisman. Mrs. Houdini, otherwise known as Sylvia Shakin, showed her skill in magic with the help of Rosalind Paperno. Irene Abraham, a well-known piano professor, next presented one of her hard-worked pupils, Beatrice Beyer. Adele Harrison and Adelaide Salomon sang and danced fsad but truej. Lauretta White sang some popular songs which were greatly enjoyed. The program was con- cluded by a little act given by the Geller sisters. Refreshments were served in the dining-room, andthe party was over. The next morning the I T girls were delighted to heat that their patty was a success and that their guests had thoroughly enjoyed their entertainment. CHINATOWN Thursday evening, April 26th, the Home Girls and some of the Day Girls started on a most interesting trip to Chinatown. The guide pointed out the various places of interest, and finally the bus stopped at the corner of Mott Street, Chinatown. Anxiously, we all followed the guide into the poorly-lighted streets. First our group entered the Chinese house of worship. In order to get to the main room, we climbed a few flights of steep, dingy stairs. When we reached the top, we were greeted by a group of English-speaking, Chinese girls, one of whom led us around and told us the stories connected with the various idols. We then saw a drum which had been used in the Boxer Rebellion. The story goes, that if one were to tap on the drum three times, a lucky marriage would be in store for those who tapped it. Of course, all of the girls tapped three times. Next we went into the old Chinese theatre which is now used for a mission house. The shop which we then inspected displayed many pretty articles. But, the main attraction seemed to be the backscratchers, for every girl went out with one in her hand. After eating in one of the Chinese restaurants and having the privilege of inspecting the kitchen, we once more went into the bus, and sang songs all of the way home. Page Sixly-Two

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TUSITALA Fon l928 THE H A CAST-OFF PARTY On Tuesday night, November 29, our Benjamin School was a veritable Vanity Fair. On second thought, though, the clothes that were discarded could scarcely be called Vanities. Clothes-under and outer, shoes, hose, hats, coats-all went into one collection, until the H A's had quite a respectable haul to send to Miss Minor. As a matter of fact, very few evening gowns and chiffon unmentionables appeared, the contributions were amazingly sane and useful. After unloading, we crowded into the auditorium, and were entertained by a striCtly non-educational travelogue. Whether this was a reward for the generous casting-off, or whether the casting-off was the price of admission for this, still remains a mystery. Anyhow, it was thoroughly enjoyable, and very well presented. We fear however, that one young lady has blighted forever any hopes she may once have had of feminine leads in sundry schoolplaysg she is doomed, Qon the stage, at any ratej to wear the pantsl' for evermore. A delightful finish to a delightful evening was added by bars of chocolate, ice-cream, cakes, and lollypops passed by bull-fighters, sailors, and-I forget whether they're ginrickshas or geishas, anyhow, they're japanese. After eating almost all we could hold, we stuck our lollypops in our cheeks and thanked our collective hostess, and withdrew to speak thus, The third scene, wasn,t it darling? Oh, I thought the Spanish one was cute, didn't- That's the one I mean, halfwit-.U And so on, far, far, into the night. ' CHRISTMAS DOLLS Best bibs and tuckers on, little feet stuck out in a straight row, the dolls at the Christmas dance ornamented the mantels and chaperoned the festivities beautifully, to say nothing of the enjoyment the guests got out of playing with them. They had their night of pleasure, sowed their little wild oat, and were sent the next day to Miss Minor for the poor children. All of them, from the infant that drained his inexhaustible bottle, to the twin pickaninnies, left very reluctantly, because even dolls love the whirl of mad night life as typified at Benjamin, but they went. The intrepid young man in his plane, the Spirit of Benjamin, was adjudged the best of all. His sponsor, Adelaide Salomon, got the first prize, and all those girls who had dressed their own proteges received honorable mention. Page Sixfy-Ozze

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TUSITALA FOR 1928 School Calendar' iiTR2u Z 161 x g SEPTEMBER 30th-A.M.-School reopens for its twenty-third year. Evening-Informal gathering of old and new girls. OCTOBER 4th-EveningEFirst I T meeting and election of its officers. 7th-A.M.-First assembly. Welcome address by Mrs. Benjamin. 1 lth- P.M.-Downtown trip QMunicipal Buildings, etc.j P.M.-Trip to Tarrytown and Sing-Sing. Evening-Eirst H A meeting and election of its officers. 13th-Evening-Resident girls give Preliminary Stunts. 14th-A.M.-Columbus Day Exercises: E P.M.-Uptown Trip QColumbia University, Hall of Eame, and Parksj 21st--A.M.-Dramatic Art Assembly. 28th-A.M.-Dramatic Art Assembly. Miss Miner of the New York Child Labor Committee talks to the girls. 29th-Evening-Halloween Erolic and initiation of the new girls. 31st-A.M.-Election of oiicers of the school. NOVEMBER lst-Evening-I T meeting at the home of Helen and Evelyn Geller. Znd-P.M.-Alumnae Tea. 4th-A.M.-Miss Johnson of the United States Air Mail Service talks to the girls. The Physical Expression Class gives a pantomime: Into the Nowhere. 7th-P.M.-Mrs. Irvine talks on the opera La Tosca. 8th-Evening'-Metropolitan Opera La Tosca with jeritza and Lauri-Volpi. 11th-A.M.-Armistice Day Exercises. 14th-A.M.-First meeting of the German Club and election of its oHicers. Page Sixly-Three