Mount Vernon Seminary - Cupola Yearbook (Washington, DC)

Page 15 text:

June 1944: June brought Commencement and sad good-byes to the graduating cla ss. September 1944: Here we were as hard working Third Formers. We were hoping the Fourth Form would be able to prove that the Preparatory School is able to be strong apart from the Junior College. They were successful. February 1945: All of us turned out for the Fashion Show, which was given to increase the sale of War Bonds. Some of us even modeled in it. Next on the calendar was an informal dance. April 1945: Another dance — -this time formal — at the Sulgrave Club. What a gay time we had! We passed the hat, and the proceeds brought a big class party at Peg Merriam’s. May 1945: The brunch we gave for the Fourth Form at Gatesley was a big success. We had such a good time giving our soap opera” skit. September 1945: On the 27th we began our senior year, a little scared and feeling rather empty inside to think that there would be no class above us, but confident that we would make this our best year and would do our utmost for the school. There are thirty-one of us now, and Mrs. Lindsay is giving us her full sup- port as our advisor. November 1945: The first project we began this year was our Yearbook. This month the ground was broken for the new school on Foxhall Road on the last Founders Day celebration we would attend as students. February 1946: After exams many of us went to Skytop for an exciting weekend of ski- ing and sledding in the Pocono Mountains. May 1946: Now we have come to another Third Form-Fourth Form party, but this time we sadly realize that we will be the ones who will graduate in such a very short time. And to add the cherry to the sundae, we had our Senior Prom! June 1946: Baccalaureate, Class Night, and Graduation in our beautiful white dresses suddenly made us realize how fast our four years at Mount Vernon had passed and found us thinking how much we are going to miss chapel, assemblies, activities, sports, the hard work we’ve done, and the good times we’ve had. We hope that we have established more firmly the new form of government in the Preparatory School. With a tug at our hearts, we, the class of 1946, would like to say good-bye and leave our best wishes to the faculty and the hope of success to the future classes in the new school. ELEVEN

Page 14 text:

History September 1942: e, the class of 1946, entered Mount Vernon Seminary on September 24, completely outfitted with new shoes, sweaters, skirts, party dresses, and Big Sisters. The eight of us have that lovely Mrs, Schultheis as our advisor. We felt mighty small and young and a little out of place with all the old- girls”. We eagerly attended the barbecue for the school after our psyco- logical and reading tests — the first day of classes, our first chape!, too. November 1942: On the fifth came our first Founders Day, which we’ll always remember, with the blowing out of the candles, the beautiful big cake, and all the alumnae. Mr. Lloyd told us that the school that we had been in only a few short months was to be taken over by the Navy. Vt e realized how much we appreciated the beautiful buildings and grounds and wondered how Mount Vernon could ever be in any other location. December 1942: Our last few weeks in the old school on Nebraska Avenue passed quickly. We had an informal dance at the Field House, the formal Board’s Head dinner, and afterwards the Christmas play. How vividly the Christmas service in the chapel lingers in our memory. We will never forget that cold dark day, the candle light, the big window above the altar with the wreath in it, and the wind blowing in the pine trees while Dr. Marshall spoke. With sad hearts, we took leave of the familiar buildings, but we knew that a new home would be found, and we would soon be back at Mount Vernon. February 1943: We came back to a school building on Fordham Road with houses for boarders nearby. Soon we found that the spirit of M.V.S. lay not in the grounds or buildings but in the girls and faculty. June 1943: Exams! Exams! Exams! Then Commencement. September 1943: Five of us came back to start the year with a coke party for our new class members and advisor. Miss Crum. December 1943: December brought an informal dance at the Wesley Heights Club. Christmas vacation caught up with us with the Christmas play and some caroling done by the French, Spanish, and Latin classes. February 1944: A First and Second Form Valentine dance was held at Gatesley. Although our older schoolmates thought we were a little young, we managed to break a few hearts. TEN

Page 16 text:

What Mount Vernon Means To Me It is a cold February night, and as I lie here in bed, I can see my favorite star once again looking down at me. For four happy years this bright beacon has brought comfort and reassurance. Each clear evening this same star has kept a watchful eye over all of us. In four months I will no longer be able to look up at my old friend from this peaceful spot and make a wish, or maybe even shed a small tear. Soon all of us will be graduating. Although this will be a thrilling occa- sion, the joyous days here at Mount Vernon will be over, leaving only cher- ished memories for future years. Mount Vernon stands as a symbol to me of loyalty and high ideals. This is where I learned to study conscienciously, and how to meet with courage and strong convictions what the day had to offer. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for all Mount Vernon has con- tributed toward my education and well being. The word happiness has taken on a new meaning. Yes, there have been times when the way seemed rough, but because of the faith and courage of friends I found that all the previous obstacles disappeared. What fun it has been to exchange ideas with girls from different parts of our great country, and later discover that there was a certain bond which encircled all of us, always drawing us together. Such fast friendships will last forever, no matter how widely we may be separated. It has not always been easy for me to understand another’s point of view, but at Mount Vernon I soon learned the true meaning of the word toler- ence. I do not always have to agree with a neighbor’s opinion; at Mount Vernon I realized that the best way to live with others harmoniously is to respect and admire what each has to offer. Dear Star, I am going to miss so many things which have come to be a part of me, yet there is always the consoling thought that I shall be able to put into practice what I have learned here at Mount Vernon. There are new fields to plow, and all we have to do is use the tools which have been prepared for us.