SUNY at New Paltz - Paltzonian Yearbook (New Paltz, NY)

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CLASS HISTORY Commencement. Life seems to consist ol' coinmenccmcnts. Some task started, finished, and a new one begun. Thus, three years ago this class of one lmndred fifty freslnnen found itself facing one more comniencement. We were freshmen, true to type. Bewildered by the throng of faces, oppressed by a feeling, rather a longing, for just one day at home. We did have a common purpose, but the end was too remote. However, this oppressive feeling was soon banished. The first night brought faculty, seniors, juniors, freslnnen together in a Get-Acquainted party, the party was a success. We needed those friendships from the start. The strength derived from the union of our forces gave us courage to face the diliiculties which confronted us. Current topics, pemnanship, and music taxed our nerve'l, nerves, and patience. Satisfaction in 'thaving done was our reward. October twelfth, our first holiday ttlolumbus received due respcctl. Once more faculty, seniors, juniors, and freslnnen mingled. Some riding, some hiking, some riding and hiking, we ascended to Mohonk. For some it was the first trip, for others, the seeond, third or fourth, but whether first or fourth, we all gained a deeper and fuller appreciation of the beauties of nature existing O11 tl1e moun- tain-top. Work eontinued. Occasionally there was a party, the entertaimnent being provided by a house eommittee which revealed hitherto hidden talent. Athletics functioned in their sphere. The lfreslnnan basketball team succeeded in carrying off all the honors of the season. At the end of that first semester mysterious missives were distributed, and the first four letters of the alphabet assumed definite meaning. Time passed quickly. Two proms had come and gone, the townspeople had celebrated the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of their settlement in a pageant, vacation was only two weeks away. Then the blow descended. Assignments were out! V Juniorsl We were practice-teaclming. Organization was effected early in the fall with Adaline Sohns as president, Dorla Woods, vice-president, Arthur Layman, seeretary, and C. Earle Vrooman, treasurer. The aim of this class was to establish a precedent,-one which would stimulate and tax the power and energy of future classes in striving to reach its level. lh'fTty-0110

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C L A SS I-I ISTO R Y, t'Cwzti1z11cd J Our ideal was to attain a high place in our chosen profession. Linked with this ideal was the determination to live a full, well rounded life. Music, dra- matics, athletics contributed to the realization of this determination. The great social contribution came in the Junior Prom. Silvery cobwebs, bobbing balloons, lihny streamers of rainbow hues, gay music, and happy dancers,--tiine will do well to erase the picture. Time flowed on like the river. 'Tis our third September. Seniors. What a contrast to the years preceding. Carefree, irresponsible freshmeng important, rather worried juniors, dignified, responsible seniors. As leaders of our band we chose Ethel Schafer, Dorla Woods, Marion Shand, and Alice Du Bois. Our aims have not changed. The goal is still to be attained. Activities in the same fields contribute further to the ultimate ideal. Athletics still have their place, dramatics function to a strong degreeg music continues to develop our aesthetic natures, social life flourishes. The Senior Prom substan- tiatcs the last statement. The fact that it was our last, makes it loom large in our memories. Extension training gave us a passing glimpse into the world in which we are soon to find ourselves. Four times were our numbers shuffled, each time a group returned to take the place of those departing. We have seen the hand of tradition loosening its grip. Student govermnent had its beginning in our Junior year. Our third year finds us with a well organized council, a constitution adopted, and the new system functioning. V Our history has been briefiy outlined. Brief and barren in that it lacks an expression of the spirit existent among us. How drab our existence would have been without the guidance and friendship of our sympathetic faculty, the love and fellowship of our companions, the contact with nature which has been afforded us in this beauty spot at the foot of the mountains. And now we are pausing, waiting to enter the world of our profession, facing one more Commencement. T HL'i1'ty-Iwo