Berkshire Community College - Falconer Yearbook (Pittsfield, MA)

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THE CLASS RING slsaams mf EEHQ13 GZHQQQ fini H9455 THE CLASS RING is among the most coveted possessions of the Naval Academy graduateg it links him always with the Naval service and with the Academy. The entire class voted on the several designs the ring com- mittee offered us-and the choice was an important one. Soon we were selecting stones and finishes for our rings and miniatures-if we ordered them. With the passing of the months we worried about deliveriesethen in June came the moment for which we had been waiting, the Ring Dance and the privilege to wear our class ring. 'Hmm ning memmmmnnmE.tiEtQe..a did more than make the designs and select and submit the best onesg they had to worry about such things as the strength and durability of the ring, and wage a strug- gle against a shortage of materials, jewels, and stone cut- ters. It, was only through the farsightedness of James Hamburg and his committee that the rings got to us by the beginning of first class year. 'IVA

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Photographens were on hand to record one of the most evendul evenings of our lwcs that of the Ring Dance. .6-w '1F : - f'? vf. -1,,a,r.,g'-nl.-v, , V I. .Y -ww., A-ff'-- T 1'-', ,' ' . ' , . 'X .. The regular hop committee, leacl by lllanherz, arranged a hop for every other weekend. emma -rnwsmmmnemee ANNAPOLIS hops left a deep impression on drags and outsiders. Although we ceased to be quite so impressed, the soft lights and sweet music helped to give us a lift that carried us through the next week of academics. lack Manherz and his committee gave us a hop at least twice a month. The Ring Dance Committee arranged for the most elaborate hop of the year. THE RING DANCE ma..- Eigliitiaas-HE ywmmnngeeasnf' Eminem WHL-QRS. THE END of a perfect week, the most elaborate event of a Midshipman's careerg the occasion for the acceptance of the graduates' most treasured possessiong the Ring Dance. It was an occasion that ranked with graduation. We were marking the point where the Academy really became a part of us, and it Hrst bore our mark. Many of us were marking more than that though when we slipped the miniature on her finger. But there was such a panorama about us that few if any were very aware of the milestone, there was too much crowded into a few hours for us to be very occupied with such things. Soft spring air and a dance band were pretty distracting. We dined in the messhall, and we walked to a wonder- land of atmosphere-a beautifully decorated ballroom, in the background a giant ring through which we passed and sealed the meaning of our tradition with a kiss. The music was soft and we were strangely excited, for the setting cut us off from thoughts of war and agenda. There was nothing but laughter and a feeling of com- plete happiness. The years can never erase the signifi- cance of our class rings, nor the charm of the night we took them.