Sarah Lawrence College - Yearbook (Bronxville, NY)

Page 82 text:

IMPRESSION II The other day at Westlands, a group of us were dis- cussing why we came to Sarah Lawrence. Some said it was because they wanted to be near New York ; some agreed that their parents had decided for them; still others were either interested in the progressive system of education or simply had craved free time and no exams. I had a different reason. When mother and I traveled up to the States from our home in Argentina, we were put off the plans for several days in Panama. Some of our friends met us at the airport. They settled us in a hotel and then took us to a club where they introduced me to several American boys in uniform. In the course of our where-do-you-come-froms, they hap- pened to ask me where I planned to go to college. “I don’t know,” I said, “I am so pleased to be settled in Foxcroft that I haven’t given college a thought.” “Oh, Vassar’s the place for you,” said one. “No! Smith!” shouted another. I turned to a tall dark boy to see what he would say. He asked ms to dance. They called him Alf and he came from Scarsdale. I liked this quiet man immediately, for he did not behave like Andy Hardy, or any of the funny paper heroes, which typified Americans to me. He was tall and serious and very good-looking. His green eyes teased me when I pronounced some word wrong. I introduced him to Mother, then, and she also liked him very much, far more than she had ever liked any boys I had known. Page Seventy-eight

Page 81 text:

describing the attitude of the people with whom one works at this college—especially their way of approaching Life and its manifestations. The “Ideal Community” we live in is a positive proof that there can be such a kind of life where people are guided by free, rational and broad think- ing, by spontaneous, irrational and sincere emotions — instead of being guided by narrowmindedness, prejudices and suppressed emotions, as people today are. We do not, however, get lost in this seventh sky, nor do we apply blinkers towards the problems in the world around us. Through the broadminded and unprejudiced attitude we are willing and trying to attain, we are aware that we must not be and are not separated from the world, but part of it. The only difference which may actually exist is that through our understanding we may be more willing and more prepared to work for a “better world.” In general, I feel that this year here in Sarah Lawrence College has influenced my whole attitude towards life and has brought me nearer to the attitude the Ancient Creeks had towards life. As Aristotle said: “Happiness is the con- templative life.” I couldn’t withhold mentioning my own dear country- men. But who does? After all, the Ancient Creeks are no more my ancestors than anybody else’s. That is why I feel free to praise them. Can you see now why I felt so impertinently sure that my answer would be one of the many but not one like the many? Maria V. Fotila ’50 Page Seventy-seven

Page 83 text:

The next day, mother went down to the desk ahead of me to see if she couldn't arrange an earlier departure. Just as I stepped off the elevator she met Alf in the door- way. “Oh, are you looking for Gloria? she said. I saw a slow blush rise from the tips of his ears and momentarily transform the face of a man to that of a boy, as he smiled and said, “yes. From then on we were together the entire ten days, for Alf had obtained leave. “I'll tell you how I got it, he said, as if we were in a conspiracy. “I went to the commanding officer and asked whether he needed a torpedo part fixed and if so, could I take a few days off and do it. Then he said, ‘Ulterior motive?' and I HAD to say yes! Mother and Alf and I had a wonderful time together. We went swimming and motoring, and sometimes even on double dates. The three of us enjoyed dinner most, how- ever. They teased me because I couldn’t eat, and although this worried Alf, mother and I knew that it hadn’t anything to do with my stomach. Then one night we got back to the subject of college. “You know, quidarra — he meant to say querida — “why don’t you go to Sarah Lawrence; it’s only five miles away from where I live.” In the States I began to look about me and try to see this fast-moving country through his eyes. Then one day I heard that his PT boat had been sunk in a skirmish. Page Seventy-nine