Mechanicville High School - Halfmoon Yearbook (Mechanicville, NY)

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Halfmoon, Senior Issue a 3 Scholastic Coronation Last month in England one of the most elaborate spectacles ever witnessed by the modern world wa6 enacted in conjunction with the an- cient ritual which culminated in the official proclamation of George the Sixth and his wife, Elizabeth, as the new King and Queen Consort of the vast British Empire. The unsurpassed grandeur and lavishness of the preparations for the event, and the recent upheaval in the se- renity of England's royalty caused London to be more than ever the focal point of the world's attentions for the just passed coronation ceremonies. It i6 estimated that over two million people representing every civilized nation on the faco of the earth crowded into the mel- lowed dignity of sedate old London to join in the festive air of the occasion. The mood of the coronation drama once it reached its climax in the medieval splendor of the sanctuary of Westminster Abbey was as diverse from that of the procession leading there as is the carefree atmosphere of a London night club from the staid tranauillity of the historic Thames. As the Royal Procession commenced from Buckingham Palace and wended its way slowly down the spacious Mall, through the Admirality Church, and down Whitehall toward the imposing steeoles of the stately cathedral, there was a carnival-like stir in the air.Bands blared out spirited marching tunes, cheering throngs and majestic guards, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the royal couple in their gold-plated State Coach, lined the flag bedecked thoroughfares. Inside Westminster Abbey, however, the affair assumed a very pious dignity. Here, in the shadow of the ancient walls that are steeped with the memories of scores of famous events in England's cav- alcade; here, in the presence of dignataries from nearly every known nation, and of the spirits of past heroes who are here entombed, the new sovereign is consecrated to his task of guiding the greatest mon- archy in the world. There is another coronation, however, that largely concerns us. A coronation that is a yearly, world-wide occurrence; a coronation that may be less universally heralded than London's, but is none the less important. It is the Scholastic Coronation; the day when millions of stu- dents are crowned with diplomas for their reign of application to their studies. In different countries the time and manner of the cel- ebration may differ, but the meaning is the same. It i6 the day when knowledge is king and is rightfully crowned so. This boy-meets-diploma drama is not altogether lacking in pomp and pretensiousness. We're taking an active part in this year's fes- tivities, we ought to know. Garbed in our most harmonious rags, we snooze through the first round of the exercises. The orchestra plays; speakers congratulate us on our progress, and caution us to be sage in our next step. Then the big moment arrives, the passing out of the sheepskins. There, before our justly proud parents and friends, the smiling faces of our teachers (We don't like the way they smile. They look too relieved), and the gaping physiognomies of freshmen who wonder if they'll ever rise to such supreme heights, we get our talking paper. (continued on page 21)

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