Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

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. THE NORMAL OFFERING I3 ' Cfass .771 ,T ,' fl f' its as l. 7?-K5 X Q xx I -f fgi' -fl ffrrx-X -- T-,-J j - SUMNER W. CUSHING, . Preszkieru' Y ' ETHEL BOYDEN, . Vz'ce-Preszdmz L p ELSIE E. TURNER, Secrelary- Treasurer CORA M. HUTCHINSON, Hz'si0rz'arz Class Cofors-Black arm' Gold. fzkiory. - .,,. i p, I if FTER one has worked three years at Normal and is about to enter upon the fourth year with its mysteries Qlj vxx of Psychology and Model School, he begins to feel the se- riousness of life. The thought of individual work and re- A A' 'sponsibility presses upon one and deepens and strengthens character, if anything will do so. It was in this thoughtful state of mind that Section B returned in Septem- ber. Although we had been told privately several times that we were an A No. I Class, we were not a little surprised to find that our name had been changed to Class A, undoubtedly in public recognition of our virtues. Only .seven of the original busy B's returned, but we talked much and thought often of those who had gone out to try their fortunes, and of that dear 'teacher and friend who had become one of our number. Individual reports were given of the summer vacation and all voted the robin, which had .alighted with each one, bringing news from our fellow B's, a great success. We wonderedat the inconstancy of our last historian and questioned whether it was dread of room No. I7 or of the teaching which had frightened him away. Cwing to the hard work of the first term our social bent found expression 'in a solitary class-meeting, which, as usual, was cut short in the middle by the f1rstbell. However during the second 'term our social life has flourished. Every noon from one-ten to two-thirty there is a reception at desk No. ISI. 'The charming hostess furnishes ample entertainment, and one who has ever met her will not need to ask the attraction of the meetings. Of course we realized that all our members were socially inclined, but it -did indeed shock us to hear one young lady cry in despair, No more please,

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I2 THE NORMAL OFFERING fraduaizbn, 1.9012 ., . IMA.,-R 'HE DAY began with the pleasant bustle of arriving guests. By ten o'clock, the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends were .1 gathered in old Assembly 11.111 to witness the distribution of the .-hi hard-worked-for diplomas. The program began with the dear, fa- ! A miliar devotional exercises and it was with sorrowful hearts that the chant was sung for the last time. The school sang l3ruch's VVe, Free-born Sons of VVodan and then Professor George H. Palmer of Cambridge delivered an address full of meaning to the graduates and oft-quoted to their successors. His theme was The Essential Qualities of a Teacher. X Then came the presentation to their Alma Mater of the gifts of the various graduating classes with the deep hope that, though departed, they might not be entirely forgotton. Miss Noyes in her charming manner spoke of their fond- ness for the dear old place and their regret at leaving it, as she presentedin behalf of the Two Years' Class a life size statue of lfraxitelesl Marble Faun. The Advanced Classes gave through their representative, Mr. Gammons, a large copy of The Golden Stairway by Hurne-jones, besides' a group of pic- tures, the originals of which, the work of Charles Sprague l'earce,'are now in the Congressional Library at Washington. Mr. Boyden presented the plaster eagle which now stands above the door leading from Assembly Hall to his private office. I Mr. Boyden spoke a few last words in his kindly but forceful manner and after a Slumber Song by the school, he gave out the diplomas, thirteen for four years' work, eleven for three years' work, sixty-three for two years' work and twenty-three certificates for special work. At three, the Ivy Exercises were held on the south side of the school building. Mr. William G. Howes, President of the Senior Class, passed the spade on to Mr. Dougherty, the junior President, both of whom made a few well-chosen remarks. Miss Vogler gave the Ivy Oration in a very effective manner and the class song was sung. In many pleasant ways, students and visitors passed the time until half after seven saw a gay throng of brightly dressed guests and girls gathered again in Assembly Hall. A reception was held till about quarter after eight. Two receiving committees, each composed of four or five young ladies, welcomed the arriving guests from their posts at the corners of the I-Iall, the junior girls making very charming ushers. The prettily arranged decorations were indeed a credit to the hard-working undergraduates. The music, the flowers, and the happy atmosphere made it a time long to be remembered. The Prom. card contained ten numbers, not half enough to suit the merry throng. The even- ing passed all too quickly and it was with reluctant feet that we turned toward the I-Iall. And Graduation Day was over.

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I4 THE NORMAL OFFERING I have forty regulars already. The confession was not so serious, however, as it sounded. Besides, since then we have come to the conclusion from evidence gathered in the Child Study Class, that either the young lady used school-girl hyperbole, or the number has rapidly diminished. Une of the strong virtues of the Class is our siztk-by-each-0Zheff-ness. For that reason it did not surprise us, though outsiders might not have understood, to hear our musician say, with a sweet smile, Let me have your support, Mr. L-? Of course she had it. I We had learned that development is a long, slow process, but incidents in the Lit, and Readingf classes have revealed a marvelous exception. Yea, a very master of information of every kind, especially of definitions! The length of a word is no obstacle. When suddenly confronted with Uidiophantasmagori- cillities, he promptly replied, The state of mind which comes tofan idiot. Is all this wisdom genuine, Mr. C-, or do you occasionally try your power of invention ? W When a Normalite behaves beautifully for a whole year, talks sensibly, and sits quietly for hours with a heavenly, far-away look in his eyes, you may be sure his heart isn't marble, even if his thoughts are in Marblehead. I Do not think because our number is 'small that the worldxwill never hear from us. What may not be expected from such a Hamlet? Surely to give to Art a great actor is no small honor. 1 At the end of our seventh term we occasionally remarked, Perhaps next term will be easier. From experience we now know there are no easier terms H at Bridgewater. It is a long pull and a steady pull, butthe reward is ample. To our teachers and principal we would say that there is the deepest gratitude in our hearts toward them and all who have aided us. This feeling we trust our lives may express, better than our words. Twice each year for f-our years we have watched for the posting of the new program of our class. Each year we have seen it rise nearer to the top of the list. This year it is at the top. Next year--it will not be there at all, or rather another class will bear our name. To that class we bequeath in pass- ing, our virtues, begging it to forget our shortcomings and failures, and to help spread the spirit of the last Section B. V With her usual maiden modesty, the historian has refrained from writing on the subject that lies nearest her heart. We have arrived at the conclusion, however, that her star reached its perihelion on a Friday afternoon at 5.17 P. M., Boston Terminal, and there completed a revolution around the sun fsonj. Signed-The victims.