Longwood College - Virginian Yearbook (Farmville, VA)

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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-

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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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tion to a worthwhile pursuit in our college life. We listened to Follow the Gleam played softly from the stage as we followed the officers up the aisle and through the Colonnade into Joan Court. The gleam of the candles, the reflected radiance on each up- turned face, the singing of Blessed Be the Tie That Binds were confirmation of our creed: Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts. T V HE Honor Code was on the lips of every- one when we returned to school, but very success- fully so. For two months not a single freshman was on campus, not even for chapel cuts. Their example proved a wonderful inspiration for us all year. Serving the student body were Marie Eason, presi- dent; Martha Meade Hardaway, vice-president; Caralie Nelson, secretary; Alice Leigh Barham, treasurer; and Caroline Eason, chairman of the Campus League. More than ever this year we have been, not an idea, but an ideal, a vital and significant phase of each girl ' s living here . Since last spring when a fresh consciousness of our Honor Code was inaugurated it has come forward and been not a background of words, but a force recognized and respected. Al- ways we have had the hope that the Council would not rule and judge the school, but that each student ' s sense of honor would govern her actions. Aside from our responsibilities of leading and guiding, there were odd tasks about school with which we assisted. And such attractive ushers we made for Lyceums. The phantom Row I which wasn ' t there did baffle even our ingenuity, however. Representing the Senior Class were Sally Dunlap and Lorana Moomaw; the Junior Class, Marian Heard and Jean Moyer; Sophomore Class, Nancy Naff and Norma Wood; and the Freshman Class, Betty Boutchard and Robin Hening. Dorothy Fades, president of the Y. W. C. A. ; Marjorie Nimmo, president of the House Council; and Dor- othy Fischer, president of the Athletic Association, served as ex-officio members of the council. Dr. Jarman was our guest at a banquet on his birthday in November. Longwood looked lovely with tables in gleaming candlelight and a profusion of red roses. Miss Mary ' s birthday came in the spring, and we surprised her with a lovely dinner. The evening Marie Eason was a warm spring one, and we enjoyed the beauty of Longwood with its profusion of spring flowers. We owe our success in the Circus booth enterprise entirely to Mr. Graham, who made an admirable, if not very reliable, fortune teller, and general add- ed attraction. He made an excellent mystic in his fantastic garb as he sat before his crystal ball and gazed into it to perform untold wonders and magic communications with the other world. We were sur- prised at his accurate predictions in some instances. Hattie Vaden ' s came true on that very night, to the wonder and amazement of all second floor Senior Building. Hattie ' s been a little in awe of Mr. Graham ever since. Our booth was in demand, though, with all our friends curious for a glimpse into their future.