Mayville Central High School - Pacemaker Yearbook (Mayville, NY)

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1950 'ras PACEMAKI-:R WE VISIT THE CAPITAL At last all our planning, all our projects for the last four years, was finally topped off with the most important one of all-our Senior trip to the Nat1on's capital, Washington, D. C. Friday morning a group of 41 high-spirited Seniors and two chaperones leftla crowd of anxious but happy parents and friends on the steps of MCS. The bus .trip from Mayville to Olean seemed to take hours, but at last it was over. Our train arrived at 10:45 o'clock. All of us piled in, making ourselves ready for a very long and tiring trip. Lunches were dragged out when the train had gone only a short distance. There was little to do except play cards, talk and eat. The train seats, which turned around, had never experienced as much turning and twisting probably in the history of the coach. At 10:10 p. m., we arrived at the Union Station in Washington. Our first sight was the dome of the Capitol building which was brightly lighted. We Went to the hotel on buses. After unpacking, most of us went out for something to eat and a quick look around our new surroundings. We came back to the hotel tired and ready for our first night in Washington. Saturday morning we started out for a tour of the city, passing many places of interest and visiting the Rock Creek Zoo. This proved to be one of the most enjoyable visits of the week. Our next stop was the National Episcopal Cathedral which is as yet uncompleted. The beautiful rose window, at the front entrance of the Cathedral, is made up of more than 200 individual pieces of glass. After this inspiring visit we went to Arlington Cemetery to see the amphitheatre where we would attend the sunrise service the next morning. Many of us stopped to take pictures of the soldier who guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The tomb is located at the rear of the amphitheatre and both are made entirely of gleaming white marble. The Lee Mansion, which was next on our itinerary, gave us a picture of the early life in the United States. After this we returned to our hotel for lunch. At 1:00 p. m., we were on our way again. On our way to Annapolis Naval Academy, we stopped at the Franciscan Monastery. As we were guided through the monastery we were awed by the beauty of the lovely paintings and altars. Our visit through the catacombs gave us a realistic picture of the original ones in Rome, which are said to be more than 600 miles long. At Annapolis we went through the chapel where the crypt of John Paul Jones is located. We also visited the large swimming pool and gymnasium. In the museum our interest was caught by the small model ships. W We returned to the hotel ready for a good meal. After supper many of us went to one of the many theaters. We were all ready for a good night's sleep after an exciting and fun-filled day. Very early Easter morning we arose and made our way to Arlington for the sunrise service at the amphitheatre. It was a very impressive ceremony with the famous Marine band furnishing the accompaniment for hymns and the procession Some of the lucky ones received tickets for the reserved section of seats, Following the service many returned to the hotel while others went to churches of their own denominations. With lunch over, we started for Mount Vernon. passing through historical Alexandria, Virginia. We saw many points of interest here, including Christ Church, the church George Washington attended. Our next stop took us to the Washington Masonic memorial. This building included many of Washingtonls personal belongings. A few of us were lucky to see a large Persian rug on display. It was over 300 years old and took 27 years to complete. Soon we reached Mt. Vernon with its wide spacious lawns. We went through the house first where one of the many old pieces is a grandfather's clock which is still running. After this we took in the spinning-house, smoke-house, stables, servants' quarters and kitchen, which were all separate from the main house. We then pro- ceeded to Washington's tomb and the docks, After wandering around the lawns and lovely gardens we went to the small museum located at the rear of the house. This proved to be of interest to all. After this we loaded into our bus and were on our way back to Washington for supper. Again we boarded our bus to visit the Lincoln Memorial. The beautiful, life-like figure gave all of us a feeling of sheer reverence. moving spotlight. An eerie blue light was cast on J efferson's Memorial which reflected in the still waters of the Tidal Basin. This gave us a scene of superb beauty. The cherry trees, which were all in bloom, were magnificently displayed with a

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THE PACEMAKER 195

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THE PACEMAKER 1950 We then made our way to the Library of Congress. This huge stone building contains about 10,000,000 books. We visited the reading room where books on every subject are shelved. Many of us took in a movie or enjoyed a walk while some went back to the hotel. Monday morning found us at the Pan-American Union building, The array of plants and trees gave us a picture of tropical beauty. We saw the large assembly hall where the delegates of the member countries of the Pan-American Union meet. The chandeliers shining brilliantly in the light, and marble pillars were lovely. Next we took a tour through the U. S. Capitol, seeing the Senate and the House. Our group picture was taken on the front lawn of the Capitol. We all walked to the Supreme Court building. This huge building is made entirely of gleaming white marble. The Folger Shakespearean Library was our next stop. This contains a replica of the theatres in Shakespeare's day and many of his original manuscripts, After a quick lunch we started out for the Old National Museum and then the New National Museum. These contained an array of many things. Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis. the first plane to fly the Atlantic, as well as skeletons of pre- historic animals. We would have been willing to stay much longer in these buildings of science, art, history and industry. We had an appointment at the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 4 o'clock and met it with great excitement. Our guided tour through the FBI took us to the labora- tories where men and women were at work tracking down clues. We visited the shooting gallery for a display of gunmanship. Our tour gave us a real idea of how this bureau operates. The entire class went out for a very good dinner at the S. W. Cafeteria. That night was free to us for whatever we wanted to do, Some went to a movie, others stayed at the hotel. A few members of the class saw the Spike Jones show at Consti- tutional Hall. Tuesday morning came all too soon with two more tours to complete. We found out about 7 o'clock that we were to pack our things and be ready for our first tour an hour later. Clothes were jammed into suitcases and all of us had a quick breakfast. Our first tour that morning was the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. All gov- ernmental documents are made here, including paper money. We went next to Wash- ington Memorial. Many of us walked to the top, a total of 898 steps. while others went up on the elevator. From the windows at the top we got a grand view of the city. Most of us went down on the elevator which took approximately one minute. Some of the braver ones, with the energy, walked down. The afternoon we had off for shopping, After our shopping was finished some went to movies, walking. and three of us went swimming at the Hotel Ambassador. After our last meal in Washington we were transported to Union Station for our trip home. On the train some of the fellows, who had bought squirt guns, had a water fight, soaking themselves and everyone else who happened to be around. We had acouired four new members to our class. These included two rabbits and a pair of white mice which two of the girls had decided would make excellent presents for their younger brothers. After two or three trips through our car the porters selling pillows and food, most of us finally drifted off to sleep. At 5:30 Mr. Steward rounded us up and we arrived in Olean about 6 a. m., to be greeted by our bus-drivers and quite a bit of snow. Breakfast was consumed in a hurry. At about 10:30 forty-one MCS Seniors, two chaperones, two rabbits and a pair of white mice arrived in Mayville. Our Washington trip was over. Now we have only memories. Oh! but what wonderful memories! These five days had given us something we will remember forever-our Senior trip to Washington. -Q- JUNIOR PLAY During our Junior year we presented the three-act farce, Ulntroducin' Susan by Tobias. The cast included Dick Chamberlain, Patsy Ross, Dave Hansen, Louise Webber, Ted Chapman, Marlene Loomis. Charlotte Stage. Charlie Quick, Beverly Phillips, Keith Ross, Myron Leet and Richard Rockwell. Mrs. Lydia Rider acted as director, and Janet Pickard as student director. The play was a real mix-up. Every character became involved in-a misunder- standing. Boys dressed as girls, and girls dressed as boys, and no one knew who anyone else was. ' However, it all turned out very well, and we made about 5200.