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

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Class History It was a bright Sunday afternoon (to most of us) of September 18, 1955, that thirty- four eager (to go home) girls arrived at the C O Nurses ' Home in Clifton Forge. We were escorted by families and friends and loaded down with luggage. We were greeted at the door by Miss Reynolds, Miss Ricks, and Mrs. Dondley, who held out their hands and when we held out ours, they said, Oh, no, we want the tui¬ tion, the handshaking comes later. So with our money gone, we had our names pin¬ ned on and were lined up in one confused line. Sure enough the handshaking started. At the end of the reception and the bidding of good-bye to our beloved parents, the unpacking started and we had supper. Along about bedtime, we began to feel deserted, most of us were ready to go home ... however, we survived and finally came the morning and that fabulous trip to Nat¬ ural Bridge, W L, and VMI (sigh). That night we had a pajama party and it was party, party all week. They were fattening us up for the Big Kill. In the second week, the fun began. We were given an armful of books and meas¬ ured for uniforms and sweaters. We were told to study two hours a night, and, if we Were good, we could see a movie once in a while. Believe it or not, but we did. Those first after hours visits with the older students with their tales, left us hor¬ rified, and Mrs. Dondley’s much feared footsteps are things we will never forget. Oh, yes, I can’t leave out the good smell of popcorn during study hour and our getting caught every time we went to the water fountain (caught by the Old Boogie Man herself). 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 Greenbrier Hotel at White Sulphur Springs and also our first formal here was the highlight of three months of hard labor, but it was worth it. Then came basketball and Glee Club which were good diversions from our studies. Then came that wonderful and long awaited day on March 18, when twenty-four hopeful girls received their caps. Now we were full-fledged students but classes still didn ' t end. The first of June, classes did end and vacations and affiliations began. It was a sad day when the first six left for Spring Grove State Hospital in Maryland. The time seemed to fly by as we entered our Junior year. You would think at this point history would take a rest, but for us it was just the beginning. It was in November of that year that we became the first class to wear the Junior Stripes. Then in February 1957 we sent twelve guinea pigs to The Medi¬ cal College of Virginia in Richmond to get their basic knowledge in obstetrics and pe¬ diatrics.

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Well, here come Karen and Dempsey and little papoose. You’ll never believe it, but Karen drove here tonight. These two must have C O in their blood. Oh, well, it sure helps with that $50, 000 home out on the river. Betty Roberts arrived with her old flame. Yes, she finally took the step, Betty was chosen the best dressed nurse 1963. She has toured many places and just returned from Iran after having spent two years there as an Industrial nurse, for the American, Iran Oil Company. She says she likes it fine and from the looks of the gentleman on her arm I think I would enjoy it too. As we look around, we see Mary Gall and her husband, prank. They have just ar¬ rived from South America, where Mary is doing missionary work and Frank is employed with the Oil Company. How ate the twins, Mary? They surely are sweet. In struts Ethel Gill in a green chemise (still in style) with a huge bow in the back, Ethel is still single but by the process of elimination, it won ' t be long. Slowly this class becomes a class again. Here come Gay Carron Owen and her husband, Morgan. Gay is home to stay after five years in California (Morgan decided he didn’t like the Navy after eight years ' duty). Gay will replace Miss Ricks as Educa¬ tional Director at C O. Good luck. Gay, remember our Anatomy Classes. Don ' t be too hard on the girls. This looks like a night for the Air Force. Here comes Peggy Meads wearing what every Air Force Nurse wears, and she wears it with dignity. You’ve really gone places since we ' ve seen you last, from a graduate to a major. Peggy remains aloof when asked about her romantic life, but say, Peggy, where is Major Brougham? Well, look who just strolled in looking like a fashion model. Geneva Fox just came in especially for the reunion from her many duties as instructor at Duke University. Gen- ny, who is your current flame? Bob, Dick, Jack, Keith, or did you find someone else? Well, it looks like everybody is present and accounted for, but wait just a minute here comes Dilley arguing with the girls as to which is the best road to Pig Road Inn. Dilley just blew in from Reno after receiving her divorce from a millionaire whom she met during her two years’ stay in Iran, Incidentally, this poor man is a garbage collec¬ tor now. Nice work, Delores. As our reunion draws to a close we wish to thank Bob and Lucy for the use of their Inn this evening. We hope that we can repeat this evening again in ten years.

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Then came September of 1957 when we donned our black bands and became dig¬ nified Seniors. We felt as if we were getting somewhere at last. In December of 1957 came the long awaited Holly Ball again. Connie Houchins was crowned queen and we really had a grand time. At last came March when the last group returned from Richmond and the class was together again. We will never forget our little class reunion on the Sunday night after they came back. We started classes but this time we only had two courses left besides those terrible comprehensives. And now we close this chapter of our ever growing book of knowledge and exper¬ iences. Some have already married and some plan to further their education. In what¬ ever you do, we wish you the best of luck and a world of happiness. We 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 a few of our many memories but we hope this will serve the purpose of reminding you of us and our many thanks. Connie Houchins Ethel Gill Jenny Bond