Knox School - Rose Leaves Yearbook (Nissequogue, NY)

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AVE ATUUE VALE QCo1zti1111ed from page 1 IQ It tome upon az midrzigbf clear, That glorious Jong of old, lflfifb dngelr bending near the edrtb To touch .fbeir barpr of gold. Their voices were as crisp and sparkling as the snow upon which they walked. As the little group walked through the shimmering morning, the awakening populace opened their hearts and their doors to the carolers. Yes, we were ready to go home to the waiting arms of our families and give them this spirit of Christmas. But in all of us were thoughts of those who would not be home for Christmas this year, thoughts which made us try to fill with love and laughter the empty places left by them. Ill Winter, in her crown of icicles and robes of snow, had trailed in our absence, through the woods and over the hills. The familiar landscape, in a spotless costume, presented itself to us as we returned. January third, and back to school after a lovely vacation! Sadness at leaving our homes and families, but bursting with things to tell school friends. January and the first really skiing weather! Fenimore hill, like a scoop of vanilla ice cream, lay before us with a challenging glare on its icy face. Eager eyes were turned toward the skating rink to see if some morning there would be ice and skating, and finally when there was ice, the rink was a kaleidoscope of color, girls in gay skirts, and blades flash- ing in the sunlight. The days, then, were all too short for the many pleasures winter afforded. The nights, then, were long and cold and the stars hung like prisms of bright light in the black sky. The air crackled with the vibrancy of winter. On the twenty-fifth of January the assembly room rang with the strong baritone voice of John Gurney, whose lively program put all in good spirits for the weekend. The new girls, these days, were busy with their show, trying to keep their secret. It was staged with ingenuity and wit on the twenty-sixth of January. Shall we ever forget the modern version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? Snow fell and winter's handiwork was in evidence everywhere. Soon preparation for the Mid-Winter Carnival began. Skates were sharpened, skiis were waxed and diets were begun with determination. The haunting music of Stravinsky's Fire Bird Suite drifted across the road from the rink. An ice castle rose magically day by day, to receive the royal presence of Mary Evert, our Carnival Queen. Was it possible that this was at last February fifteenth? Out came the ash trays for the foyer and rugs and pennants for the drill room. All afternoon parents and friends were arriving and that evening the Fire Bird was staged in a blinding snow storm, with finesse and frozen feet. Dottye, Connie, and Kit were lovely snow birds in their colorful roles. With Saturday came the horse show and that night, the Carnival dance with real live men! Blue Sunday! A glorious weekend had come to an end. On February eighteenth, the basketball teams were announced in preparation for an exciting season. 116

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the assembly room, herding before them the stampeding ranks of the tyros. Pride was thrown to the winds as bathing suits and skis were modeled by the abashed victims and private lives were publicized. A soothing factor, however, was the ice cream served in the drill room afterward. The Hallowe'en party too, brought to light some of the latent talent among the girls. Ingenuity combined with humor Cboth subtle and not-so-subtleD made an impressive and colorful picture. Autumn peeked anxiously around the corner to see if winter might just happen to be lurking there behind a white cloud, and felt a blast of icy wind that turned her flaming guise cold and sent her tinted patches scurrying to the ground with whispering sounds. Suddenly there was no more Fall and color, but only a white, spun-cotton world. With the snow and its quiet purity, came a feeling of purity stealing into our hearts, and when on the twenty-second of November came Thanksgiving Day we were ready to bow our heads with fervent thanks for what was and is ours. Although the war was over, the biggest battle was yet for us to win. We thought and prayed for brothers, fathers and friends who were still in the far corners of the earth, for strength and courage and foresight to face the year of national crisis to come. II s 9 With refreshed vigor, books were attacked with wetted thumbs and ppli2lie8lenses. November twenty-third and exams! Purple rimmed eyes were a common sight. The pre-exam scare diminished soon, and the exams themselves were plowed through. The feeling of immense relief that ensued was a boon and all settled down to Revel rehearsals and to striving for better marks promised to anxious and hopeful parents. Last minute safaris through the town for Christmas trees Che they ever so scrawnyj, hush-hush preparations for corridor parties, hiding of gifts from curious roommates. Christmas at Knox. Quiet steps through the softly lighted foyer, the delicious scent of pine branches seeping into our blood, and that particular feeling of peace that Christmas brings pervaded Knox. At last on December eighth the result of the combined efforts of teachers and girls Was brought to fruition. The Revel. The lights of the great tree in the foyer were reflected in the eyes of every girl as the court of Henry the Eighth was reconstructed in our foyer. A few stray tears started to the eyes of those of us who realized that this was the last time we would be part of the Knox Revel. Young hearts and faces poured their warmth and life into tired old eyes at the College party for the county farm on the tenth of December. In a few hours of giving the young hearts gained a warm maturity, and the old ones a new enjoyment of life. A similar feeling was experienced at the Christmas party given for the children of Cooperstown on December the eleventh. Small faces lighted at the scenes from Hansel and Gretel and small hands were wiped clean of ice cream and cookies before the little ones were sent back to their mothers. The next few days were a blur of trunks and hurried excitement. How quickly the time had passed ! Only a few days more until vacation! Now the snow lay in deep and sparkling mounds along the sides of the winding streets, and the sky was slate. Mornings were bitterly clear and sounds carried for miles out over the frozen lake. It was on such a frosty and bitter morning when the big door swung wide to release the little pilgrim band of singers who, fortified against the cold with layers of Woolen clothing, braved the icy blast and ventured forth into the dawn. CC07lfflIll0L1l 011 next pageD 1 1 5

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Both teams brushed up on cheers, old and new, and turned out en masse for every game. On February twenty-third, Knox music lovers were thrilled by the magic touch of Richard Tetley-Kardos, who played brilliantly selections from Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin. March first, and off to Lake Placid for a blissful weekend of skating, skiing, and various other winter sports QD. My, how exams do creep up on one! March seventh, and the fatal day had arrived again. Connaisez-vous votre francais? Si, si, Senorita. But then only one more week until vacation! The fourteenth of March and home again! Don't forget to study for the apts and achievements during vacation. With all the vets taking advantage of the G. I. Bill of Rights, it was going to be harder than ever to get into college this year. IV While we had been away, winter had made her departure from all but the highest hills-Spring was coming. You could smell it in the air. The ground was soft with spring rains and the trees had been washed and dried by rain and wind. The green of Spring lay just beneath a last layer of winter, waiting to burst into view. A few more gusts of wind, a few more driving rains and Spring again! April first, and at long, long last-seniors! The undergrad days were over and we were full-fledged seniors! Rings and blazers were seen everywhere. On April twelfth the annual Aquacade was put on in the Alfred Corning Clark gymnasium pool. Bathing suits from the year 1900 to 1946 were modeled, and intricate water patterns performed by the Swimming Club. Suddenly, the objective for which we had striven all year, May first and Senior Day. Up at six, down to the bakery and back to school to eat forbidden fruits on the foyer floor, 'to flaunt the full glory of lipstick, loafers and blue-jeans before the lower classes. Days lengthening, nights warmer, and lazy afternoons down by the lake, a green thought in a green shade -our last days at Knox. Tennis at six in the morning, walks around the driveway before breakfast, crew on the lake, and the painful early-spring sun-baths. Spring fever! May twenty-fifth, and the rollicking splendor of the K. A. A. banquet. Awards for the outstanding efforts and athletic achievements throughout the year, and a cheerful hello to all the new presidents of the athletic clubs for the coming year. May twenty-ninth, parents beginning to arrive for graduation, The Lantern Parade in all its starlit beauty, saying goodbye to the lovely lake through a mist of tears, relinquishing the K to next yeat's seniors. May thirtieth, the crew races and the sailing of the senior ship, and a last loving look at the Class of 1946. And now, the Class Day lunch, crazy songs, speeches, laughs to cover the deep rather sad feeling that is creeping upon us. Tonight is the song contest-better have the lyrics censored a little! Tomorrow, May thirty-first, the day for which we have been waiting four years. Will our dresses fit? Down the aisle we shall walk past parents and friends, a determined lift to our heads, a straightening of shoulders. Behind the vague fear that besets us all. The world we are about to enter is one full of the unknown powers and horrors of the atomic bomb, of jet propelled planes, of unsettled world affairs which will eventually rest with us, with our generation. Strong hearts and strong minds are needed now and strength behind our convictions. We must win a lasting peace! Then a brave but trembling smile for the world to see, and our diplomas. The horseshoe in the foyer, a last endearing look at the school and school friends. 117