New Jersey State Teachers College - Seal Yearbook (Trenton, NJ)

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Verdant Freshmen HE beginning of the college year in Sep- tember, 1946, brought the emergence of one of the most colorful and active classes ever to pass through our campus-the Class of 1950. Perhaps the most unusual feature of this class was the large proportion of vet- erans, which tended to give Hillwood the atmosphere of a combined camp and nursery school. Strengthened by this mature element, the very green Freshmen prepared for a four- year program of academic and social achieve- ment. After a heated and highly competitive cam- paign, Leon Emmons was elected president to guide the class through the trials and tribu- lations of the Freshman Year. One of the most important projects originated by this able leader was the creation of an Emergency Fund, supported by class dues, which was used to purchase flowers and other comforts for sick and deceased members of the class. The Class of 1950 laid the ground work for future actions by appointing a committee to investigate the College Constitution to deter- mine the rights of the student body. The find- ings of this committee were the basis for the policies of the class through four years at State. Through such acts, the group built up SENIGR CLASS Roy Berenatto President John E. Kuhlthau Vice-President ,lane L. Everett Secretary George Flint, J r. Treasurer a reputation for active interest in school affairs. Early in the year, the class sponsored the Freshman Dance entitled HClub '50.,' The theme was that of a night club featuring checkered table cloths, a chorus, flower girls, and an M. C. The originality of the setting was largely responsible for the success of the dance. Saucy Sophom ores The Sophomore Year brought new elec- tions. Roy Berenatto was elected president, an office which he held until Graduation. Mr. Shoemaker fbetter known as a'Uncle Moewl was chosen as Class Advisor. Winter brought the death of Leon Emmons, who was killed in an 'unfortunate accident. The big event of the year was the annual Sophomore Hop. Again living up to its repu- tation for originality the class sponsored a dance using the theme, MAH Underwater Kingdomf' The gym seemed transported to the nether reaches of Neptune's domain, com- plete witl1 fish and mermaids. The All-College Revue culminated in one of the most exciting events of the year. This was the controversy over the merits of Sigma Tau Chi's satire 011 Democracy. The issue

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Despite their ages, we are told, That students like to think theylre old. We,re told this truth they wonlt believe And thafs a thing oler which we grieve. Since for our theme what we must do ls have them represent the newg S0 if we've hurt their self-esteem Remember it's just for our theme.

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was finally settled by the withdrawal of this group from the Revue but not until the air had been set crackling by much impassioned oratory. Members of the Class of 1950 took leading parts in this discussion. jolly Juniors Ornithologists tell us that as birds mature, their plumage takes on new brilliance and luster. In like manner, as the Junior Year began, the Class of 1950 began to glow with the first faint flush of professional attitude. This was the year made memorable by Lan- ning School, that turning point in every stu- dent's education. Throughout this period, the members of the class made the long trek to Lanning in an often frustrating attempt to edify the fascinated grade school pupils. To take care of leisure moments, the college thoughtfully created the device of community surveys. These gave valuable experience in the art of discovering obscure facts in un- likely places. The leading social affair of the year was the Annual Christmas Dance, which this class was privileged to sponsor. The gym was gaily decorated with snowmen, cedar trees and holly wreaths. A record was set by the num- ber of people who attended this dance. 1948 will always be remembered as the year of the Great Fires. Spring brought de- struction to a large part of the Industrial Arts Building. Like the legendary Phoenix, however, it rose from its ashes finer than before. In the Fall, fire swept the College Inn, doing sufficient damage to delay tl1e veterans of the a'Green Death, tl1is fire seemed like the visitation of an avenging angel. The Junior Year culminated in the tradi- tional step-singing ritual. Fine weather crowned our efforts and the class set a new standard by the quality of its singing. The candle-lit march across uQuimby,s Prairie ushered the Class of 1950 into the final quar- ter of its college career. Sage Old Seniors The Senior Year opened with a crushing avalanche of units, intergroup reports, lesson plans, and P. A. Local stores reported the depletion of their stocks of midnight oil as weary Seniors prepared to extend their min- istrations to the broader fields of tl1e State. Humility was at its strongest as the Class of 1950 prepared to enter the ultimate proving ground, after three years of preparation. The class is now looking forward to the final busy whirl of social activity. A spring high-spot will be the dance given for the Seniors by the Class of 1951. In June, the class is expecting to enjoy the traditional Senior Dinner and Dance. In addition, a lively picnic is being planned. After abdi- cating its position in the step-singing cere- mony, the Class of 1950 will bring its college career to a conclusion by the graduation in beautiful Kendall Hall. During the four years at Hillwood, the Class of 1950 has created a record of sub- stantial achievement. There seems little doubt that this group has left an impression which will be slow to fade.