Mount Vernon Seminary - Cupola Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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Front row: Caroline Kenworthy, Sally Myers, Elvie Baker. Buck row: lane Brady, pres-irlent, Lori Powers, Mrs. Fellowes, advisor, Shellie Forte, Mary Griffith, Margie Cough, Diana Fulton. Absent: Peggy Scarborough, Mrs. Browne, Mrs. Sens, Mrs. Ulrey, advisors. Day Council Day Council is a newly established branch of the Student Council and is responsible for dealing with problems which involve the day students exclusively. In doing so it allevi- ates some of the burdens of the Student Coun- cil hy giving it more time to concentrate on rules concerning the entire school. Day Council is made up of two girls from both the third and the fourth forms. lt is headed hy the Day Student president and the advisor, Mrs. Massey. This Council is a serious and necessary part of the daily life of Mount Vernon. It is a part of the judiciary system that helps the school to run smoothly through an interpreta- tion of the rules as five responsible upperclass- men see them. House Council House Council, the governing body of the hoarding students, is composed of a house president, Jane Brady, advisors, five prefects, and elected proctors from each hall. House Council meets once a week to deal with proh- lems that arise among the hoarding students. This year the Council has accomplished this and more. lt has been instrumental in pro- moting a closer relationship between the stu- dents and the liousemothers and has done an excellent job in deciding just punishment for offenses. The Council is not all work, as the boarders will agree, as they remember the Christmas and end-of-the-year parties as well as the wel- come hot chocolate and graham crackers served during exam Weeks. House Council plays an important part in the lives of all hoarding students. By means of the Council the boarders are able to request privileges and make suggestions for the bene- fit of all. This enables them to play a useful part in their own government. First row, sezltefl: Gail Cildar, lfroukie Tuinman. Seeonrl role, sented: Nan Tliompson, Debbie Dick. Stzlnding: Mrs. Massey, rlzliris-o1', joan Cousins, p1'r'.s'ic1cr1f. 15

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as, Mary McAllister, Martha Slcssman, Elizabeth Edwards, Betsy Leith, Ioan Cousins, Tempe Crant, president, Mary Criflith, Jane Brady, Noni Hastie, Blanche Capel, Iane Withers. Student Council At the annual Honor Assembly last fall each student signed her name beneath the Honor Code to pledge her loyalty to the school and her honesty in all phases of school life. It is the Student Coun- cilis responsibility to see that the school rules and regulations in reference to this honor system are remembered and practiced at all times. Accordingly the Council has the right to deal with any individual who shows lack of concern or respect for the school. Student Council meets once a week. Members include the president of the Student Body, the presidents and vice-presidents of each class, the president of House Council, the Day Student presi- dent, the president of Optima, and a secretary- treasurer. The faculty adviser is Mrs. Lowry. The Council discusses how it can best help the students understand and maintain citizenship rules and standards. Student body meetings held several times throughout the year also give Council members suggestions regarding the students, desires or con- cerning their opinions of certain policies. Last fall the members returned to school early to welcome both old and new students to Mount Vernon. A tea for new girls and their parents and a nHobo Hootenanyv for everyone completed the orientation. The Council also had a drive to raise money for the Cinling School in Taiwan where many of the schoolis buildings and supplies were destroyed by a disastrous earthquake and Hood. Representatives of the Council have also met with the Interschool Council to learn about other forms of student government practiced by independent schools in the XVashington area. A senior mixer in the fall was a project organized in cooperation with these schools. Council members also joined the junior College students in December to present the Pelham family with a Christmas puppy on be- half of the Student Body. Under Tempeis experienced leadership the Stu- dent Council has discussed the problems which inevitably face any type of government and has established the best solutions for these problems. They must then rely on the complete cooperation of the students in order to maintain the standards of Mount Vernon. 14

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Honor Pledge I promise on my word of honor, to do my best to uphold the high traditions of Mount Vernon, to be honest in all academic work, to obseroe and comply with all the regulations of the school, to support the school oHicers and my team, to be trustworthy in whatever I clog and to reflect credit on my school by my speech, dress, and behavior. YVhen We become members of a community or group, We realize that the rules which govern us are needed in order to have the community run smoothly. For this reason We have an Honor Code at Mount Vernon. The Honor Code applies equally to every student and challenges her to be honest with herself and others. Perhaps one of the most important parts of the Honor Code is that We prom- ise 'cto do our bestn to uphold it. In reality, the Code is the ultimate goal for an ideal community or school. If every member had equal strength or was not tempted, then we would have an ideal community Without a Code, but because a school is only as strong as its weakest member, each of us has to assume responsibility to herself and to othersf, Alma Mater Our Alma Mater glorious, With loving hearts and proud, We crown thee all victorious And sing thy praise aloud. In loyalty we serve thee And strive to heed they call, Mount Vernon, O Mount Vernon! Through self to conquer all. You give unfailing kindness If trouble meet us hereg You foster all our pleasures And make them seem more dear. Nor time, nor care, nor sorrow Can these fair days erase, But they, with each tomorrow Help us new tasks to face. Like breath of Springis fresh morning That lifts the heart to song, When courage droops and Wavers And paths seem gray and long, Will come thy dauntless spirit To help us on our Way. Mount Vernon, O Mount Vernon! Hold fast they tender sway. The changing years may bring us Some longed for dream of bliss, Yet memory will cherish A sympathy We miss. In hours of joy or sadness, Whate'er our need may be, Mount Vernon, O Mount Vernon! Thy children turn to thee. 16