Chesapeake and Ohio Hospital School of Nursing - Aeneid Yearbook (Huntington, WV)

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MISS PEGGY BELL White Sulphur, W. Va . OF ’54 MRS. CAROLYN SMITH Clifton Forge, Va. MRS.PEGGY HAYSLETT Sparta , N. C . MISS LAURA JOHNSON Huntington, W. Va.

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CLASS HISTORY It was a bright Sunday afternoon of September 9) 1951,and a great occasion for thirty eager girls. We arrived one by one, escorted by families and friends and carrying loads of baggage. Most of us looked as if we had come to stay. We were greeted at the door by one of the instruct¬ ors who held out her hand and when we held out ours, she said, “Oh no, I want your tuition, the handshaking comes later.’’ So with our money gone,we had our names pinned on, were taken to a large room and lined up in one long confused line. And sure enough the handshaking came. At the end of the reception and the bidding of goodbyes to our beloved parents we unpacked, ate supper and tried to get acquainted. Along about bedtime though we began to feel deserted and most of us were ready to go home... However, we survived and finally came the morning and along with it came classes, rules and regulations and disappointment of not getting our uni¬ forms right away. That first week we were entertained with tours, picnics, a dance and a pajama party. Of course we couldn’t go home over-night for six weeks but this was compensated by picnics and parties by the local churches and the hospital. In the second week the fun really began. We were given an arm full of books and measur¬ ed for a duty sweater, wool no less. We were told to study two hours a night and if our grades were good enough we could see a movie once in a while. Well, we studied and studied and final¬ ly we decided to ask to see a movie and much,to our surprise, they let us. At this point we de¬ cided we had pretty nice instructors. They also let us participate in basketball and the glee club and every two or three weeks we had a pajama party. Those pajama parties— they were thoroughly enjoyed, especially the eats. Those first after hour visits with the older students when their tales left us horrified if we understood them and Mrs. Dondley’s much feared footsteps are things we’ll never forget. Oh, yes, I mustn’t leave out the walking tables and singing glasses after midnight. Yes, the life of a “probie’’ is a wearisome road. You never know but what tomorrow’s test may be your last. That first Holly Ball at the Silver Arrow and also our first formal here was the highlight of three months hard labor but it was worth it. Then came basketball and glee club. Incidently that year the nurses had a very good basketball team. I don’t know what happened after that year. Then came that wonderful and long awaited day on March 9, when twenty-seven hopeful girls received their caps. Only three had fallen by the wayside. Now we were full fledged stu¬ dents but still the classes didn’t end. Finally, along came June 6, when classes ended and va¬ cations and affiliation began. It w a s a sad day June 19, when the first seven left for Delaware. Time seemed to fly by as we entered our junior year and the history took a rest. Then came the great day of August Z4, 1953, when we donned our black bands and became dignified SENIORS. We felt as if we were getting someplace at last. Christmas came and with it the Holly Ball which was sponsored by our class this year. It was held at the Greenbrier Hotel on December 19, and Freda Hatton was crowned queen. We really had a grand time. At last came February 22, when the last group returned from Charlottesville and the class was together again. We started class but this time it wasn’t so bad because we only had Pro¬ fessional Adjustments II left. Graduation rolled around and I’m sure we’ll never forget that week. The private duty nurses gave us a picnic at Douthat State Park. Of course the weather had to be bad, but who cares about the weather as long as we had a good time. Miss Reynolds feted us royally with a dinner on Friday night and on Saturday night, May 22, we had our Senior Dance, given by the faculty at the Jefferson Hotel. Not quite everyone in the class came, but I can only say, “you don’t know what you missed.’’ On Sunday the parents and friends began to appear on the scene for baccalaureate, which was held at the Presbyterian Church with Dr. Bales giving the sermon. This was the one mo¬ ment we had waited for— when we donned our long sleeves and organdy caps for the first time. On Monday night. May 24, the graduation exercises were held at the high school. We hard¬ ly recognized each other in those long sleeves and with bouquets of red roses we each carried as a gift from Dr. Emmett. We felt so conspicuous and profe ssional. I’m sure thatwhenwe repeated the Florence Nightingale Pledge each person felt a great pride that she had chosen nursing as her profession. A reception was held at the nurses’ home following the commence¬ ment exercises, where we were once again placed in a line and the handshaking began. Only this time in place of the green “probies,” there stood twenty-two self-assured and proud graduates. Of course, this was only for the night and the following day with downcast looks we returned our diplomas and pins which were to be given back to us in September. We really enjoyed those four nights of graduate privileges and most of us took advantage of them. That small taste of a graduate’s social life made us look forward to that finishing date in September. And now we close this chapter of our ever growing book of knowledge and experience. Some have already married and some plan to do so in the near future. Still others plan to further their education. In what ever you do, I wish you the best of luck and a world of happiness. I hope that the history of our class will not end here but will continue on through the coming years. With this history we leave but few of our many memories but we hope this will serve the purpose of reminding you of us and our many thanks. Janette Griffis