Marymount Secondary School - Hiamead Yearbook (Tarrytown, NY)

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Our Christmas Party cc INGLE bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. -This, and other time-honoured songs sung at random during the week preceding the holidays, filled every ac- ademic nook and cranny with the jubilant spirit of Christmas. In former years, our diversions usually took place in the Assembly Hall, but this year all happened contrary to custom. The Athletic Association Secret Service was in action! During the day scheduled for the annual party, a few members from each class disappeared rather suddenly. Red paper, green paper, glittering tinsel all found their way to the dining room, and in a very short time the place was transformed. The tables with their frosted miniature Christmas Trees and novelties, were arranged in a unique fashion, and behold in the big old-fashioned fire-place, a yule log spluttered and sparkled, and gave a hearty welcome to all. As soon as the supper was over, we gathered round the fire, toasting marsh-mallow and popping corn to our heart's content. Suddenly, a great noise was heard! The lights were extinguished and there in our midst stood Santa Claus-by the light from the ruddy log, he distributed his gifts. Later, we walked in solemn procession to the Auditorium where a lovely crib, fes- tooned with multi-coloured electric bulbs, was waiting for us. Reverend Mother said prayers to Our Infant Saviour, after which a recessional was formed, and on our way up to bed we were met by our beloved Mother General, who wished us a happy Christmas. Our joy was complete! The peace of Bethlehem filled our hearts! DOROTHY NUBEP., '5 9. Wintcr's Charm INTER! The snow spreads its soft, white carpet everywhere, giving a sharp, crisp buoyancy to the atmosphere. All the fields and mountains are pure white, and when the sun's rays reach them, they glitter joyfully, showing that they, too, feel as bright and gay as human beings do at this time of the year. The trees are covered with a strange, fluffy white foliage, and as the wind agitates their branches they seem to bow and sway and throw tiny snowflakes about-just for fun. To complete the colour scheme, brightly tinted suits flash to and fro over the silvery ice. True, we do not see any beautifully coloured leaves waving in the breeze, we do not hear the pretty birds singing in the trees, or watch the delicate butterflies float by on their dreamlike wings, stopping here and there to taste the nectar of a fra- grant flower. Instead, we see a glorious radiant whiteness everywhereg we hear the music of happy laughter breaking the silence of the frosty air, and gaze in admiration as the graceful skaters glide swiftly around the lakes. One does not feel the cold or even miss the birds and flowers, but thc soul is filled with a great calm-a wondrous peace, and the air is filled with -the soft radiance of Bethlehem's Star. MARIA VEVIZ, '38, Fiffy-three

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The Influence of Books HAT everything we read makes us better or worse is a well-known fact, and from this one may readily estimate the powerful influence of books on the character of man. Father Morgan M. Sheedy writes: Apart from the influence of our holy religion, there is no one thing which enters more deeply into the warp of our characters than the books we read. One of the greatest blessings that can come to any life is the love of books. Next to the actual society of a noble, high-minded author is the benefit to be gained by reading his books. The horizon of the reader broadens, his point of view changes, his ideals are higher and nobler, his outlook on life is more elevated. The books we read in youth are influential in the formation of our characters, we should, therefore, be most careful in our choice of reading matter, only perusing those volumes which will increase our knowledge of good, and intensify our love and apprecia- tion of the beautiful. Already in our varied literary courses and pleasant hours of brousing in our well- stocked library, we have learned to appreciate the great beauty of classical literature, and have become acquainted with fictitious but charming personages who have com- pletely won our hearts. Admiration engenders imitation, and soon we find ourselves instinctively adopting the ways and mannerisms of those dear to us. Hence the necessity of schooling our- selves in the art of reading-reading only clean, wholesome literature which will en- noble our minds and uplift our thoughts to higher things. PEGGY CoP.coRAN, '40. Movies at Marymount E all appreciate Movies, and we were indeed happy when we heard at the be- ginning of the year, that they would be shown in the Auditorium every two weeks. The first one Peck's Bad Boy starring Jackie Coogan was followed by Tom Brown of Culver a most interesting film of school life. Religious features were shown during Lent, and The Sign of the Cross, a Para- mount picture dealing with the persecution of the early Christians, was both educational and impressive. The Public Life of Our Lord, however, as portrayed in The King of Kings, was a masterpiece of reverent beauty and devotion, and it filled our hearts with a greater love for Him who suffered so much for our salvation. The Shepherd of the Seven Hills concluded the Lenten group. This latter pic- ture has not yet been exposed for public exhibition, and deals with the active life of the present Holy Father-his influence in the great mission fields, and his part in the Vatican ceremonies. We hope to see very soon David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, and The Tale of Two Cities, and since these are our prescribed reading books, we are more than happy 1 at the Prospect' ANA MARIA VEVE, '40, Fifty-two

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F all at Marymount WONDER if there is any place in the whole wide world quite so lovely as Marymount in the Fall! True it is that all the seasons seem to delight in bestow- ing precious gifts of beauty on our Alma Mater, but Fall reaches the acme. When the leaves change color over in the distant woods, it is like some radiant, terrestrial reflection of Heaven's glory, especially when the longirays of the setting sun linger upon the brilliant foliage, bathing it in a rich golden splendour. Fall marks the beginning of a new school year, after the care-free, pleasure-filled days of the summer vacation. For some, it holds happy prospects, but for others, who dread the thoughts of declensions and verbs, it is quite a'sad one. During the dull, crisp Autumn days, many school activities loved and enjoyed by us all, such as hockey, volley-ball, our lake-walks, and many other amusements, occupy our recreation hours. But though Autumn ushers in many delights peculiar to this time of the year, for me it is always more vividly associated with the beautifully tinted leaves of the luxurious foliage visible for miles around Marymount. Then indeed Joyce Kilmer's famous line sings incessantly in my heart: I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree! ANNE BROWN, '38. Lifes Roadway A prayer, a word, a smile-e'en a thought, Each lighten the burden of pilgrims I meet On Life's onward journey to Heavenly shores, Where endless seas roll and eternal waves beat. -The faltering steps of the timid of soul, The wearisome toil of the lonely of heart- Have I quickened those steps and aided that toil E'er I from those timid and lonely did part? The shelter from storm, not open to all, The flowers that bloomed out of reach of the poor, I-Iave I harbored those homeless and gathered these flowers, Or has loitering idly held me in its lure? Oh! on o'er Life's Roadway may I ever proceed, To lighten the burden of pilgrims I meet On Life's onward journey to Heavenly shores, Where endless seas roll and eternal waves beat! BETTY FARLEY, '38. Fi fty- four