Saint Mary's College - Stage Coach Yearbook (Raleigh, NC)

Page 9 text:

The Circle - Beacon Christmas Party is one of the tangible repre- sentations of the two honorary so- cieties of St. Mary ' s. Both organi- zations work together to give the entire student body a special spirit of Christmas at St. Mary ' s. More important than this aspect, they offer an opportunity for us to share equal excitement and to radiate an awakening glow to the spirit of tradition, for here we are gathered — not as individuals, but as a cor- porate body. Not only do special functions at which outstanding girls marshal in beautiful, white, traditional dresses, allow us to be together, but also in chapel and assembly, we share a personal closeness and understanding. There is a distinc- tive quality represented when we are together — when we may look around us and possess the mirac- ulous sensation of security and of warm responsiveness to each other. We experience again the fortitude of security in our class functions, our club participation, and our hall contributions. We release our- selves in an array of activity and sometimes through our activeness, we lose personal touch with our- selves. In our perseverance, our constancy, and our firmness, we drift almost to a degree of inade- quacy and dejection, but to shield our strength of purpose, ive probe into the center of our being and search for a warm response, so rich, so restoring, so compensat- ing. . . .

Page 8 text:

St. Mary ' s unfolds itself to us on opening day. The old girls frantically dash up and down stairs, across the campus walks, in and out of rooms — and within a few hours, it is hard to realize one ever left St. Mary ' s three months before. The peals of laughter almost vibrate the build- ings themselves, and yes . . . it is good to be back again. This wild and frantic spectacle is tempered by another phase of that first day as we watch the new girls walk excitedly, yet hesi- tantly, up the steps of Smedes. Within minutes, however, the doubt is erased, and a warm and cordial greeting lights a gloiv to each new face. Somehow we feel they are glad to be here, too. Another reassurance is present when we meet our counselors who are throughout the year our guides to life here, our example to folloiv, and most important, our unforgettable friends. Tradition in the form of the New Girl-Old Girl Tea provides our first opportunity for meeting the faculty and for establishing a special friend- ship with our Big Sisters. From the first hello, the year begins, and soon each of us settles to a routine of our own. It is not long before we IC?gari£0 of X t past wrlrnm? m . . wonder how we manage to fit ourselves into so demanding a day — but finally we lose ourselves in our work, in newly acquired interests, in new responsibilities, and in old traditions. We learn to give of ourselves in countless ways, and in serving, we learn to appreciate the results of our efforts.

Page 10 text:

A time to stop . . . to regret . . . to build again. We learn by mistake, and we falter through thoughtlessness. Through the shad- ows come hearts yearning to un- derstand, to comfort, and to place again. Often for the first time, we realize the depth and sincerity of our friends, and even in the still- ness of solitude we are not alone. A masterpiece of strength stands before us, and with unbelief we examine ourselves to find the pro- fundity of being. We acknowledge the integrity and concern of our leaders, and we accept our appre- hensions as a part of developing. Though we are sometimes reluctant to accept ourselves completely, we grasp the sureness and the strength which lies within us. and now with positiveness we meet challenge after challenge. We turn from ourselves to view a larger scope — that of St. Mary ' s. We perceive with wonder this sometimes perplexing side of life here. Yet we know in order to understand ourselves and others, we must allow for disillusion. For this is life — not to be tossed care- lessly, but to be handled with con- scientiousness. In this way we build, we cultivate, and we pre- serve. We follow with fresh aware- ness, and we lead with added fore- sight. A light of hope brightens our path and reassuring hands guide the way. We are proud of this unity which has given us strength, this love which has allowed for us understanding, and this Honor which has built for us character. at % wapttre of