Sweet Briar College - Briar Patch Yearbook (Sweet Briar, VA)

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BBIAR PATC1- of the elaborate evening dresses which are won, at present, the members cf the court were clad in white summer dresses, l ut much ■ it i he beauty of this occasion lay in its sim- plicity. The Queen, Anne Rural, marched at the head of tin ' procession, and the peacock, by voluntarily following the Queen, added greatly to the dignity of the coronation. Ihey gave some old English folk dances, and the music was furnished by an old Amherst fiddler, who could find no one in the eounty able to keep up with him. The second year brought new life to the struggling activities of the college, and with the increase in the student body the S. (i. A. gradually formed now rules to meet the changing conditions. Ihis year s;n the greatest improvements made during the history of the college. Wo acquired a new Mis. a now station, and a tea house. We must acknowledge that we owe L907-08 an immense debt in founding the tea house, which has saved main- lives during its short career. The second May Queen was Mary Brooke. The year 1908-09 was another year of fortunate beginnings and great progress. Ran- dolph Ball was built to accomi late the one hundred and eleven students who brought in an intense college spirit, which was especially noticeable in athletics, [nterelass basket- ball games were held, and Field Day exercises took place for the first time. The faculty gave the Athletic Association a cup to In- presented to the winner of the day. Ellen V. Hayes. Furthermore, new clubs were organized, the Boating (lull. Tennis Club, and Golf Club. Y. Y.

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: % BRIAR PATCH C1)r Jirst Cm J)rars of mt Briar Sweet Briar College opened on Septembei 27, this number was small i1 was a great beginning, and deeply indebted to them, for they were the pioneers of a college without am ideals or customs and entireh with thirty-six students. Though ve who K« k back on the early .lays are lur college history. Think of beginning unfamiliar surroundings. The college consisted of the Refectory, Carson, Gray, and the Academic Building. There were ihapel and no gym, but they used our present library for a chapel and the English room for the library. Sine., the number of students was so small there was no need for a large faculty and administrative force. Among the fevi who have been at Sweet Briar since its founding are Mr. Dew, Dr. Harley, and -Miss Carroll. The most significant fact about the whole beginning was that S. G. A. was in force from a Larkins the association ml tier associates we owe h e have onlj modified as life of unrestricted ease. rush madly down to the refectory, thej breakfast ed in real comfort, for dining the start. Under the presidency of An made great strides. To Anna Larkins the constitution of our S. G. A., which we have found need. Truly theirs was Where we in 191 luxuriated in bed a rules were practically unknown. They were allowed to receive their men friends in the middle rooms of the suite-. In the days of the original thirty-six they had little need to make, such re- strictions. The Y. W. C. A., under Nan Powell, made it- first start, ami laid the foundation id ' the association which now ha- such an active life. A Dramatic Association was formed, but it was not then separated into chapters as it is at the present time. As then- were no gym and hockey field, there was little of what might he termed organized athletics, but to the efforts of Helen Schultz, we owe our present well-established athletic association. The May Day of the year 1906 was in truth quite simple. Instead 21

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BRIAH PATCH ( ' . A. made great strides bj starting the Indian Mission and i hristmas celebration for the Indian children. And for the first time Sweet Briai was represented by two delegates at the convention. The Dramatic Association was divided into two chapters, the Merry Jesters and the Billikins, who changed their name to Ripplers, which resulted in the most desirable rivalry and raised the standard of our dramatic productions. Under the supervision of the history depart- ment a Current Events Club was formed, together with a de- bating club, which provided for interclass debates. Tliis cluh soon showed signs of suspended animation, and was not re- vived until in 1915. Mi Sparrow and m Elliott brought it to life again and made it an influential feature of college life. To all lovers of peace at any price, this year brings one misfortune, the starting of class fights. We are rather glad that there are some lovers of a good fight, because where would all the pleasure of our Freshman ami Sophomore years have gone, had there been no bannei rushes! Josephine .Murray was the queen for both the years 1909 ami lulu, an honor which no other girl has had. This year the first out- door play wa- given in 1 hi ' dell. The fourth year wa- the greatest year in the history, be- cause e then celebrated our first Founder ' s Day. at which Dr. E. I ' .. Craighead of Tulane University ami Mr. N. ( . Manson spoke. This was a great day for the live who donned their caps ami gowns for the first time. At this athletic- found sufficient funds for the erection of a boat house. Through the untiring efforts of Dr. Harley, the beginnings of the hockey field were made, ' lie- honor system was organized in cot ction with the s. ;. A. Literarj life blossomed out in form of first magazine and annual. Dramatic Association was mil far behind them with plan- for two outdoor plays in our dell. Work was begun on the construction of Man-on Dormitory, which was finished l . the opening of school in fall. 23