Finlandia University - Yearbook (Hancock, MI)

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Another instance which I remember ever so well was the day we took pictures. Up to this time no class pictures had been taken. One day when excused from history recitation, we wandered towards Portage Lake, where we took snap- shots, both in the snow and on the ice. Unfortunately, Bill, one of my classmates, lost his rubber in the depths of the snow. We searched for it, but in vain, and at last gave up with the hope of recovering it in the spring. The latter part of May we all departed for our respective homes, only to return in the fall to resume our work as dig- nified seniors. At the first chapel exercises in the fall, we noticed that our class numbered twelve in all. Gladly we welcomed Sigrid, our new member. Inspired by the speech of Dr. Nikander, we faced the enormous work before us with light and cheery heart. Now we were busy with our work, and so our amusements were less numerous than in the previous year. This probably caused the spirit of friendship to diminish. A class party, at which a selected program was rendered, proved that the ties of friendship were as strong as before. At one of our parties, we decided to meet in Finland after twenty years. That reminds me, Mada, that the reunion will be in two more years. I hope I shall again see all my old classmates in my native land. Our last few months at the college were all excitement. Especially was this true the last few weeks when parties and banquets were so numerous. At last came the day of our graduation. Our relatives and friends came from far and near for that important event. I remember very well the last advice and encouragement given to us at our graduation by the worthy Doctor Nikander, I can picture it as clearly as if it had happened only yesterday. So attentively had Mada listened to her mother's story, that without noticing it, the fire had burnt down, the wind had ceased to moan, and the storm had abated. S. L. R. wif ? 24

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REMINISCENCESOF TI-IE QLD COLLEGE DAYS. TWQQQ middle aged woman sat in an armchair be- A fore a brightly glowing fireplace, while with- Zeygi li- out the storm raged, and the wind whistled weirdly about the corners of the little brown ' ZWQ cottage. On a low bench at her side sat her daughter, - - Mada, gazing thoughtfully at the fire, remind- ing her of her own dream days. Suddenly the silence was broken by her daughter unex- pectedly asking, Mother, tell me what college life was like twenty years ago. Such a request could not be granted immediately. For some time the mother sat in meditation as if studying the flames, and finally she began as follows: The chief subjects taught at that time were foreign lan- guages, mathematics, sciences, history, christianity, and the English and Finnish languages. We did not have the ad- vantages of domestic science, manual training and other modern subjects. But it offered some subjects which a pat- riotic Finnish child could not receive from an ordinary high school. These were christianity and the study of the Finn- ish language and history. The desire to take these subjects caused me to drop my high school course, and continue my Work at the college. On entering the college I was a Junior, and soon became well acquainted with my ten classmates. The loneliness and homesickniss, which at first was so keenly felt, was soon overcome y diligent work. Taking for granted that, Work and no play makes Jack a dull boy , we occasionally found time for outside interests. Now I recall very well a party given by the boys of our class in which Johnny Pete played an important part. You wonder who Johnny Pete was? He was no other than a doll which the boys had secured from one of the seniors in der to make the number of boys equal to the number of rirls. But even for Aina's escort fand she was the shortest ,,.figmber of my classi he was far .too small. Many Weie the evenings we enjoyed together in playing various games. At one of these parties we all decided to meet at Hancock after a lapse of ten years. You, Mada, perhaps can recall when I went to our class reunion about seven years ago. 23

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l YALRIISTAVA OSASTO FEW FACTS ABOUT DAKOTA. ws . 9 X presented 'Ihere were students from Maine , on the east and from California on the west Most of them, previous to their coming here, ?'1SS-eygja-' had not been outside and, therefore, knew very little about other states. To my surprise, there was some Who thought that, Dakota, being a prairie was a wild country fstatel, inhabited by half civilized people, etc. Therefore I am glad of the opportunity to say a fevv Words here about Dakota. The particular place which I have taken as my subject is in the eastern part of South Dakota. It is considered, by all Who visit there, a very beautiful place in the summer time. The many lakes which are in this part of the state make it attractive. South Dakota's largest lake, called Lake Poin- sett is situated in this locality. The shores of this lake af- ford an excellent summer resort to a great many people from When I first came to Suomi College I did not I realize how many different states were re- 25