Mount Vernon Seminary - Cupola Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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DANCE CLUB Among the other new groups this year has appeared the Modern Dance Club. Miss Urner got the organization under way soon after Christmas vacation. The members are volunteers, interested in the study of creative dancing. Their first performance was given on March 15 at Roosevelt High School, as a part of the program of the Washington Dance Associa- tion. At the right we see a few of our graceful members in a shot from their presentation ' of The Gypsy Band. Their dance was repeated in April for the Council. Meetings have been held down at the Field House, often on Saturday mornings. Bettsy Smith has represented them on the Athletic Association Board, which has generously assumed half the ex- penses while the Club is establishing itself. We believe this activity is one of the coming highlights of the school. OPTIMA ENTERTAINS On April second, Optima invited guests to a tea, given at the home of Miss Agnes De Lano. Miss Audrey Wurdemann and Mr. Joseph Auslander, guests of honor, read from their own poems. Mr. Auslander talked about his devel- opment of an American poets 7 room in the Congressional Library, where he is hard at work collecting original manuscripts of American and English poetry. Optima members, impressed with the value of this project, decided then and there to distinguish themselves as the first student group to donate money for some particular manuscript. The outcome is another book exhibit similar to the one offered before Christmas. The date has been set for May 13, and the Library sale will be on all day. At Christmas time, Optima members knitted socks, sweaters, and mittens for the people of a mountain community in Virginia. Mrs. Lloyd helped dis- tribute these gifts and brought back to us many interesting and moving ac- counts of the people of that settlement. 29

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SPRING PLAY Although Little Theater sponsored the production of The Admirable Crich- ton 7 tryouts were open to all school talent, plenty of which was available for the rather large cast. As production got under way it was decided that the cast worked better at night and that the most serious rehearsing should go on after dinner hour. It was hard work for everyone concerned but it was in- teresting, especially when the cast feasted after a strenuous night ' s work. The last dress rehearsal was given for the servants on March 10, and the cast sent to bed for a long rest. The final performance on March 1 1 called out the entire school. The shipwrecking of the Loam family, their butler and their friends, on a desert island, caused no end of complications. Love making led to a compli- cated situation and class customs were thrown to the winds before the family again reached England and civilization. As the curtain rang down the last scene, the cast presented to Miss Mack a large basket of flowers, in appre- ciation of her good guidance and unfailing patience. At the reception in Great Hall, immediately following the play, girls with major roles were in- vited to stand in the receiving line. The Little Theater has presented several other plays this year. The mem- bers have studied all phases of dramatic production. They have learned to make their own sets, arrange their own lighting, apply make-up, and design many of their special cos- tumes. They have been given an opportunity to direct. This is one of the most popular and most flourishing of all school activities. Outcasts startled by signs of life on their private island. The tea party which started the trouble. 28

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M.V.S. COUNCIL Delegates to the ninth annual meeting of the Council began ar- riving on Wednesday afternoon, April twelfth. That evening a re- ception was given in Great Hall, attended by the Faculty, the Senior Class, and officers of other classes and student groups. A program was presented by members of the Music Faculty. Thursday morning, too windy for cap and gown ceremony, Flag service was held in Chapel. Coun- cil members visited classes all morning. After lunch they went to the indoor gymnasium to view demonstrations by the Dance Classes and Dance Club. After the sports program the opening meeting of the Council was held at the Field House. Classes in Home Economics provided tea, delici- ous sandwiches, and dainty cakes for our refreshment. After tea, reports were made to the Council by rep- resentatives of the club activities of the school. For example, Betty Petty reported for Publications Workshop. She described the plan- ning and actual work involved in the make-up both of Cloister Col- umns and Cupola. In spite of hec- tic last minute contributions, broken typewriters, and sprung quizzes, the Staff has somehow been able to bring out each issue as scheduled. Work on Cupola, going on since November, at the time of Betty ' s report was waxing more and more intensive. Lights are on late in Mrs. Currier ' s room these last nights, and the Infirmary milk route does a big business. Elna Blount gave an account of the new Gardening Club. The group is s mall this year, but Mrs. Lloyd has her young horticulturists thor- oughly schooled in the idiosyn- crasies of seedlings and the per- versity of garden tools. 30