Chatham College - Cornerstone Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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History of the Class of 1946 When our grandchildren, as prospective PCW applicants, wish to hear a story, perhaps we shall turn to page 24 of this class Yearbook and reminisce a bit. Once upon a time, ' way back in the fall of ' 42, there was in this wide, cruel world a very special group of young ladies. They had come bag and baggage, pen and pencil, to meet their classmates, their professors, their Dean, and their Presi- dent. The girls who had come from public high schools found an excess of skirts, but this was soon alleviated when blue jeans appeared in the classroom. The W. J. Quadrille took them by surprise. A special old-fashioned dance with W. J. men; whether a dream or a drip, he ' s yours for the week-end, big sisters told them. There was a gas shortage, World War II the cause, and the girls had to conquer their stomachs and hold their ears on the long street car rides. But some made life-long acquaintances, and others tried to forget. ■ s v A debut for the Class of ' 46, which was their newly ac- quired name. They wowed the faculty and upperclassmen with their Freshman entertainment. There were song and dance routines, a forceful drama with Mr. Anthony, and some abso- lute corn. But weren ' t there bigger and better things to come? An unheard-of thing happened. It was color day, the most important event of the year. Dressed in white, the class received their colors of yellow and white, and then stood before an audience to sing two songs, composed and directed by the members of their class. The other classes tried too, but the Freshmen, the Class of ' 46, the youngest and supposedly most inexperienced class in the school, won the song contest. Money was needed, so the school presented a circus. The Class of ' 46 capitalized on a minstrel show, and those black- faced gals counted more cash than any other of the three classes. [24]

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SENIOR OFFICERS Peggy Riffle President Mariellen Roche Vice President Jane Wilson Secretary Bea Kiester Treasurer Becky Fellows A. A. Representative Class Meetings and research on all our suggestions or requests kept these gals busy! Each had a special task, and they were all well done, keeping things running smoothly during ' 46. [23]

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Another unheard of thing happened. Despite keen com- petition, the Play Contest was another triumph for the class. It had never occurred before, but the Freshmen of that year broke tradition and walked away with the Oscar. Just couldn ' t hold them down! Intelligence? They had that too. In a competitive, nation- wide exam, PCW ' s youngest class was in the upper six per cent intelligence group among freshmen classes all over the country. The sophomore year started with a bang! Another win at the Song Contest, then a bond rally, and the Sopho- mores entertained with a fantasy presentation. They were gremlins and squeegees. An extraordinary amount of bonds was sold, and they came through again ! Defeat! How sad they were. But, it was a new experi- ence. And, as they were forced to bow to the Juniors, the Play Contest winners, they vowed to do better next year. Being Juniors was fun ! November was the date of the national Presidential election. After long weeks of vigorous speeches and campaign stunts, the classes held a mock elec- tion. The Juniors were Communists and introduced Mr. Earl Browder amid torchlights and pitchforks. The Seniors ' can- [25]