St Francis Xavier Academy - Xavier Yearbook (Providence, RI)

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EDITORIALS E have only followed the tradition established a few years ago when we prepared and published the present number of “The Xavier.” And we are glad to say that we are able to imitate the class of 1906 who so wisely planned ; who “builded better than they knew.” perhaps. What was in the mind of those poiueer editors when they thought of this, we do not know, but it is certain that they left to the school an influence for arousing the interest and enthusiasm of the senior class such as was not here before that time. I11 more than half of our class meetings this year, we have discussed the magazine, hoping that we might be able to give you, readers, something that would be worthy of a senior class and of the senior class of Saint Xavier’s. These pages, far more than anything else, perhaps, make the interest of class and school almost identical. As you pick up this pamphlet, you do not say, “Here is the magazine of 1909,” but rather. “What do you think of Saint Xaviers Academy’s paper?” And because we realize that it draws attention upon the school to such extent, we have tried to feel our responsibility, and have endeavored to produce something worthy, something excellent; while at the same time we beg you to be lenient, dear readers, to remember that, after all, we are only high school girls and that amateur magazine work, although it may not be new to the school, is a novel departure for us, the class of 1909. Conceit is not commonly ranked among virtues, so the class of 1909 would not care to possess it. But there is something with which it is confused and which we consider a necessity7 and that is a thorough appreciation of one’s self. Without this, we could do very little. We would not have dared to have ventured into the liistronic sphere as we have, and as has been told you else where in the “Xavier”, nor would we have been such a success in studies and plays unless we felt that there was something of the “best” in us which it was our duty to bring out. And really we have done remarkably well. The teachers will assure you so as regards studies, and the school will tell you how it has enjoyed our programme given on each

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CONTENTS The contents ? Ah, in breadth feet 26, In length 13 rods (with pennants flying), In depth—oh, who can measure? There we mix The metaphor and plain ; His trying ! Length, breadth, and depth of such a class? Work not the problem, Let it pass, And read the answer merely, and the sign Prefixed to humble contents of Class —9. Dedication Greetings Official Editorials Class Roll Calendar The President’s Message Class History Le Cid Moderne Little Rosebud Class Poem An Answered Novena Dramatics The Senior Class Visits to the Chapel Our Day in May A Daily Journey The Tions of 1909 Aunt Hepzibah’s Gown A Word from the Veterans Grinds Memoriae Praeteritorum As Seen in the Fireplace A la Fin L’Envoi

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holiday. It is not unusual for a class to dramatize successfully a little sketch ; but it reflects considerable extra credit when that class reviews the literature of “Amateur Dramas” selects those well suited to the particular talent of the members of the class and assigns just the right role to each girl. Our elocution teacher, Miss Dodge, let us do all our own planning, knowing that we should thereby gain some power of initiative. She was delighted with the results. That is why we were pleased with ourselves because Miss Dodge never gives any praise that is not merited. Have we been guilty of the blindness of confusing the virtue with the fault, as we accused others of doing in our first lines? We hope not, because even in our short experience which has been wholly in the school-room, we know that there is much truth in the lines of the Rubaiyat, “A little talk awhile of me and thee There was—and then no more of thee and me.” That is why we have made people talk enough about us while we’re here so as to compensate for the silence which may follow. The last part of May brings two events to which we eagerly look forward all the year : the first, you have all witnessed, the appearance of our edition of “The Xavier”; the second is our reception into the Alumnae at their annual banquet on Decoration Day. It is pleasant to be a pupil of Saint Xavier’s, but it is much more so to be. an alumna. That’s the way it seemed to us the night this year they flattered us by inviting us to give them “The Rainbow Kimona.” Do ou wish to know something of the night ? Our bishop was there and all the members present went up and talked to him after the entertainment. This itself was a treat which was a cause of envy to us. Then they had another kind of a treat which was served from prettily decorated tables, and we liked that, too. The Alumnae Association meets four times a year and the hall is crowded with graduates of former years who come joyfully to reunite in the halls of their Alma Mater, to discuss a little business, to be entertained in some delightful way that their president, with her board, devises, and finally to talk over their tea cups. We only had a passing view of it all, that night in March, but we know we shall be delighted to join an organization which means so much to each individual member and which benefits and helps by its existence our dear Alma Mater, Saint Xavier’s Academy.