Longwood College - Virginian Yearbook (Farmville, VA)

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fore our official introduction to the teachers and the upperclassmen. The glances of approval in their eyes as we walked toward the gym somehow made the ordeal of the receivmg hne less frightening. Waitmg at the end of the hne seemed mtermin- able — we must have been eager. In the few mo- ments that we stood before Dr. Jarman, exchanging a few words, we recognized in him the embodiment of all that is truest and best in the school. Of course we thought Miss Nichols was a stray Sophomore who ' d wandered into the line. Helen Wentz planned the Fashion Show which was given. We stood in the background while the pick of the school ' s collective wardrobe was on parade. Cottie Radspinner wore a new reversible with a hood, and Gay Ward Brown made a star pupil in a rust tailored dress. The turban Essie Millner wore was the most striking imaginable; it must have been she who started the rage. Remember how popular It ' s Funny to Everyone but Me was then? Pudge sang it beautifully, and Sara Keesee sang To You. And the evening dresses themselves were a style show, with our roommates for models. Nancy Wolfe looked stunning in a blue sharkskin formal, and Allene Overby ' s black net was straight from Glamour. Every big sister and freshman was looking and feeling her best. Punch and cakes were served, and as we ate, the round of introductions began — a never-ending game. but just what we ' d waited for. The reception was more than a get-acquainted party; we were all at our best, and formed those necessary first impressions. It was more than a night of welcome and hello ' s ; it was the beginning of a pride in our school and its beloved ideals which has been swelling ever since.

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First row. lefl lo right Reiff, Wise, Overby SecomI row. left lo ri«ht: Eason, Yales, Cline, Thoringlon, Hutcheson, Nelson peace, service, worship, vocational guidance, and other social questions. From these plans our theme for the year evolved — Christian Application in Every Phase of Living. By our cooperation with the ministers in Farmville, we upheld the high standards of the Y. W. C. A. in Christian service. At Christmas time we held the traditional services of the Yule Season — Miss Rice ' s Christmas story. Hanging of the Greens, Carolling, and White Christmas. This year a beautiful Candlelight Tea was held, in all the Christmas splendor. At the regional meeting in Richmond, Dot Eades was elected State Chairman of the Y. W. C. A. This honor was symbolic of a year of splendid cooperation on the part of all the members, a year of achievement and distinction. T ' S funny, the difference an evening dress can make. We ' d been terribly impressed by the new building and the Library and Shannon ' s, but when we saw the Hocks of stunning girls who came to the reception in the gym, all we could do was stand and stare. Was this a fashion magazine or a college? We ' d heard the words Big Sister-Little Sister Reception ever since we got to school. Certainly no one could have been sweeter to us those first trying days than our Big Sisters. They have always managed to be around at the hours of our greatest need, from morning, when we tore our hair over schedules, till night, when we cried a few homesick tears. Whitehouse and Gym were just names until we trailed along behind for two days and sorted out all the twists and turns. Then they came around Friday night about eight-thirty, in time to help us with the finishing touches be- 19

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UR conception of the Y. W. C. A. was rather meaningless and vague until the night we be- came a part of that organization in a service of im- pressive simplicity. The strains of a Beethovan sonata filled the dark- ened auditorium as we entered, clad in white. We took our places, candles in hand, behind the Soph- omore Commission members, who assisted in the pro- gram, and the ceremony began. All eyes were turned toward the triangle, glowing with candles — a symbol of the threefold creed of the Y. W. C. A. Helen Reiff read a passage from the Bible after the music died away. The Church of the Lighted Lamps — a stirring interpretation of the inspiration of religion was the message of Dot Eades, president of the Y. She told the story of the stranger in a tiny European village who learned the true story of the strange chapel there, with its lighted lamps. A legend was told her about The Church of the Lighted Lamps. It was built in the sixteenth century by an old duke who had ten beautiful daughters whom he loved dearly. Unlike most royal fathers he was not anxious for them to marry, and it was with great reluctance that he let them go one by one. People would smile at the commotion he made over each one leaving home, but he would shake his head sadly and say that each one had her place and the house was lonely without her. As he grew older, the duke began to wonder what he would leave behind to perpetuate his memory. Finally he decided to build a church so beautiful that it would draw men to God. At last it was finished, and he took his daughters to see it, and admire the simple lines, the beautiful stained glass windows. They were amazed, though, that there were no lamps to hang. In reply, he said that each person must carry his own. Some corners of God ' s house will be dark and lonely, if all his sons and daughters do not come to worship him at the appointed time. Four hundred years elapsed, and the bronze lamps were handed down from father to son and carefully treasured. When the sweet-toned bells of the old church rang, the village people made their way up the hill, each carrying his own lamp. The church was nearly always filled, for no family wished its corner to be dark and gloomy. Sara Cline then gave a prayer of rededication and consecration of the Y. W. C. A. in service and de- votion to the school. The challenge was one of deep sincerity and meaning. You who are about to be- come members of the Young Women ' s Christian Association hold unlighted lamps. The cabinet in lighting these lamps challenge you to Christian serv- ice and Christian living. Let your light so shine be- fore men that they will glorify thy Maker which art in Heaven. Grant that the fire which have been lighted in our hearts this evening may burn brightly evermore. To you, the members of the Young Women ' s Christian Association of the State Teachers College at Farmville, is allotted the privilege of making Christian living a reality on our campus. Will you accept this challenge? And in response we dedicated ourselves to the high task of making our lives on the campus richer and more full of love. As we lighted our candles their blazes illuminated the room in brave and shining symbol of our dedica-