Oak Bluffs High School - Beacon Yearbook (Oak Bluffs, MA)

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THE BEACON 23 MY FIRST DANCE Eloise Webb We were having our first dance of the year, and I had decided to go. I had never before danced in my life, but I thought that this would be a good time to learn. The dance started about eight o'clock, but I wanted to be sure and be there on timeg so I left at quarter of seve11. I was there before anyone else, and I thought it would be a good time to practiceg so I got the janitor to dance with me. Before I knew it the hall was crowded with people, so I sat down in the side lines. I hadn't been there more than five minutes before I was asked to dance. I thought I might as well take a chance Clater my partner found out that it was he who took a I was never more embarrassed in my life. Between stepping on my part- ner's toes and making him bump into people, I guess he was ready to give up. As for myself-I wished the floor would open up and swallow me. He tried to talk to me to cover up his embarrassment, but every time he did I would stumble, and it would take about ten minutes to get back in step again. Before the dance was half over he escorted me to my seat and mumbled something about being tired. I could understand just how he felt, like two cents, and I felt even less. From then on I sat out the rest of the dance and determined never to go to another dance until I had learned ehancel: so I accepted. how to dance. REMINISCENCES OF THE CLASS OF 1934 Amy Noyes The members of the Class of 193-l had determined to meet at least once every year, following graduation. Ten years have passed and now we see George Hughes, Eloise VVebb, Leo Camara, Amy Noyes, Francis Ma- deiras, Barbara Bowman, Baron Den- niston, Kathleen Alley, Ida Gonsalves, and Crystell Luce gathered together on the S. S. Rex-bound from London back to the United States. The ex- students had gone in a body to Eu- rope. On the way over they had talked of their accomplishments tread them in the Class Prophecyj and now, on their way back to the United States, they are reminiscing of old times. Let us join in the conversation: George-XVell, here we are home- waid bound. Baron-Yes, just the opposite of our position ten years ago, we had just graduated from high school, and we were headed for the open sea-not knowing where we should go or what we should do! Leo-But we had done plenty be- fore tl1at! Barbara-Oh, I guess we had! Amy-I.et's go over everything We did in high school that amounted ti anything at all or concerned us in any way. Baron-IVell, I can start off by say- ing that our class was proven by rec- ords to be the highest ranking fresh- man class that had entered for years. Ida-I am quite sure we lived Uhard by our reputation, for we ' ad a higher average rank than graduat-

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22 THE BEACON p Believe me, when I write a novel-l I just saw an ad in the paper. Young boy wanted as salesman. Must know his books. He will sell novels at a com- mission of 2 per cent. Great book po'- traying the character of men. Easy To sell. Report at once. VVell, I guess I've found a suitable position after all! THE CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY Dorothy Rae When I was in Washington one of the most beautiful buildings that I saw was the Congressional Library. It is one of the most famous buildings in the capital. It is constructed of marble. There is much gold leaf as an overlay on the ceilings, walls, and in the many deco- rations. The floors of some of the rooms are mosaic. They are very beautiful. The floor of the entrance hall is made of marble. The stairs are marble. They are very shallow and wide. At the foot of the mai11 staircase are two statues, placed 011 the ends of the bannisters, which are very beautiful. At the first land- ing a high mosaic picture of Athens confronts one. It is done in very vivid colors. It ranks as the finest mosaic in many countries. The stairs continue up. They form, two stairways at the la11di11g a11d they lead to separate parts of the upper floor. Old original manuscripts of all kinds are all on the upper floor, on the left hand side. Books of VVashington and Lincoln, the oldest Bible in the world, pictures of many presidents, and the diaries of important men are there under glass cases. -There are Chinese maps in special cases. The different towns, seas, moun- tains and roads are illustrated by typi- cal pictures. Dragons signify the seas and goats the mountains. The Constitution of the United States is in a gold case on a marble pedestal. The glass front of the case is gold glass. In front of the pedestal is a toot stool of marble. The whole case is in the middle of the upper floor near the back wall in a very conspicuous place. The names of the signers of the Constitution can still be read on it, as they have faded little. There is also a room where the news- papers of many years and many cou - tries are kept in great books. Anyone who goes i11to this room may take any book of new or old papers and read as as he wishes. There are files of papers way back to the Civil NVar. There are also daily papers on sepa- long rate tables. The newspaper books are kept in racks. The entrance hall has many drini- ing fountains and it is very lofty. From this hall extend corridors to private I'621dll1g.Z' rooms for senators and representatives. Across a court the windows of the book rooms can be seen. The book shelves extend from the floor to the ceiling. There are all types of literary works here. The library is awe inspiring in its beauty, size, and contents. Many peo- ple can only spend one or two hours there, but it can not be grasped in less than a month. It is wonderful, beautiful, and magnificent, especially at night when the lights emphasize its beauty. p

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24 THE BEACON ing classes preceding us. Crystell-And higher than most fol- lowing us. Leo-Let's see, if I remember cer- rectly, our class held the first social of the season when we were fresh- men. Amy-It was at the Legion Hall, and Barbara was chairman of the commit- tee. Barbara-Gee, it was too bad wc didn't have more of them, because everybody had a good time that night. Kathleen-How about our officersg they ought to come first. George-Sure, but I don't remem- ber Who they were in our fI'6Sll1'1l-'ll year. I Kathleen-Leo, wasn't Margaret Gordon our president? Leo-Yes, We chose her, because she was the only member of the class who wasn't afraid of the high schofzl teachers. Barbara-Leo's too modest to say that he Was vice-president that year. Baron-And I think we ought to say a Word in tribute to Frances Penney, who was our secretary-treasurer, and who was denied the privilege of con- tinuing school With us. George-I think We should toog I nominate Baron to say a few Words in honor of our classmate. All-Yes, he's the only one who could do it right. Baron-Here is a poem which I think is very appropriate: There is no Death! Wliat seems so is transitiong This life of mortal breath Is but a suburb of the life elysian, Whose portal We call Death. She is not dead,-the child of our af- fection,- But gone unto that school Wliere she no longer needs our poor protection, And Christ himself does rule. Day after day we think what she is doing In those brighter realms of airg Year after year her tender steps put'- suing, Behold her grown more fair. Not as a child shall We again behold herg For when with raptures wild In our embraces We again enfold her, She will not be a childg But a fair maiden, in her Father's mansion, Clothed with celestial graceg And beautiful with all the soul's ex pansien Shall We behold her face. Urystell-It's nice to remember the happy times We had in school, but said at the recollection cf mournful events. Francis-Since We have commemo- rated the memory of Frances, 1:-t us continue our discussion. Did we have any :ne in athletics in our freslimun year? Amy-I was in track and basket- ball. I think you were in basketball. Francis? Francis-Yes, I was, and in my other years too. George- Time marched onf' I think Baron was the only one in the speaking contest, and Leo and I were in the play. Ida -The only other event that I can think of that our class participat- ed in that year was the Christmas play. Leo-Isn't that the play in which Amy was the flat-footed cook? Baron-And wasn't that the play that you and Amy used to argue about religion? Barbara-NVell, I like that. VVe are supposed to be discussing past events and not individuals! Ida-Since that's all we did our first year what did We do our second year?