University of Maryland College Park - Terrapin / Reveille Yearbook (College Park, MD)

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JUNIOR CLASS OFFICERS President Ray Hesse Vice-President Page Chesser Secretary-Treasurer Phyllis Sell Historian Barbara Mumford T HE beginning of the post-war period found the Class of 1947 ready and eager to revive the old Maryland spirit. Like the other classes, they recovered quickly from the confusion and disorganization of the war years and started the ball rolling with class elections early in the fall. After a vigorous campaign that re- flected the revived class spirit and enthusiasm that generally pervaded the campus, the jun- iors elected their officers. Ray Hesse was victorious in the final balloting for president. Other officers elected were Page Chesser, vice- president; Phyllis Sell, secretary-treasurer; and Barbara Mumford, historian. Throughout the year the victorious candidates did a hundred- percent job of reviving traditional and colorful junior class activities. The first big result of their work and one which did much to boost the morale of all Marylanders was the revival of the traditional 24

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Dee Speed, chairman of the drive, featured a novel stamp booth at the Veterans ' Dance to further increase the sales. Rita Hickernell did an excellent job of handling poster publicity for the drive, and the sophomore class and the entire student body responded in a manner that proved that, although the war is over and the social calendar is as long as in the pre- war times, Maryland students have not let down their wartime activities. February xi was the biggest day for the sophomores during 1945-1946. Just to prove to all doubting Thomases that Maryland was really back to its pre-war social pace, the sophs gave a Winter Frolic that will long remain a pleasant memory to the lucky hundreds who attended. Under the able chairmanship of Weems Hawkins, the class did things right by engaging Stan Brown and his orchestra, a favorite among colleges and universities in this area. Result was an evening of smooth and solid rhythm, climaxed by a crowning, not of a queen, but a King of the Prom. The big moment of the evening came when bashful Gene Reds Kinney was led amidst cheers to his throne set in front of a mammoth snow ball. Thus the sophs added a new member to campus royalty, and Maryland, after many Queens, once again has a King. Plaudits for the novel decorations scheme go to the class social committee headed by Ada Anne Howie and Pat Cross. All in all, the sophs gave Maryland one of its peppiest and most in- genious social evenings of the spring season. The Class of ' 48, however, did not get all the breaks. Just ask anyone of them about the tug-of-war against the freshmen at the begin- ning of the year. Look ' s like fun . . . . . Even for King Kinney. ' 23

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Junior Promenade. In past years, this Prom had been the annual highlight of Maryland ' s social season, but due to wartime conditions the dance had been left off the social calendar since 1943 (the year of the famed trolley car prom). The Class of ' 47 set to work to revive this time-honored custom at Maryland and the result was one of the most colorful dances in Maryland history. Bobby Byrne and his orchestra, who have played at other out- standing Maryland dances in the past, were engaged to furnish the music in the impressive ballroom of Washington ' s Willard Hotel. As of old, the dance was strictly formal; and in the best Maryland tradition, the upperclass- men promenaded to the strains of the Grand March which climaxed the evening. Earlier, there had been a moment of suspense when announcement was made of the selection of Bert Williams, Tri Delt, to reign as Miss Terra- pin of 1946. The Terrapin queen this year was chosen by the victors of the Rose Bowl, the University of Alabama ' s football team, who selected the winning candidate on the basis of beauty, brains, and intelligence. In between dances, the tux-clad gentlemen and their elegantly attired ladies found refresh- ment at the soft drink stand specially set up for the evening by the Prom committee. By unanimous consent, the Prom was the high- light of the 1945-1946 season. Later in the spring, the juniors inaugurated a new class custom when, in conjunction with Mortar Board, they took over the responsi- bility of sponsoring the annual May Day cere- monies. As in past years, May Day left an impression of charm and beauty witnessed in an appropriately charming and beautiful set- ting. To the Class of ' 47 goes thanks for carrying on a significant Maryland tradition. Big night for all . . . . . . Sponsored by the Junior Class. 25