University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

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ormdls In spite of the prevailing war-time restrictions, the campus is gradually returning to normal. Each year finds the revival of another old tradition, and the formal dances are on the increase. Through the combined efforts of the ROTC and the ASTRP, a military ball was given this year on December 16th. Strictly Military was the theme, from the decorations to the band which pro- vided the music, the Bradley Field Or- chestra. The chief high-light of the evening was the selection of the Honorary Col- onel, Marion McCarthy ' 46. Captain Winslow E. Ryan presented the Colonel with a Massachusetts State College gold locket, and a military cape, which she will wear when she reviews the troops in the spring. The committee in charge included Jim Falvey, Clarence Burley, Bill Cour- chene, all of the class of ' 47 and ROTC men; the ASTRP was represented by George McAloon, Joseph Rooney, and Roswell Bosworth. Lt. Jones did a great deal in advising for plans. In keeping with the custom on the MSC campus, there was also held this year a Winter Carnival Weekend, on February ninth and tenth. Friday night, lights and an amplifying system were installed at the college pond. The students themselves enjoyed skating and watching an exhibition presented by the Ice Bergs from Springfield. This was followed by a ski boot dance in M em Hall. That same evening. Pi Beta Phi cap- tured the honors in the snow sculpture competition with their Ski Trooper. Second prize went to Sigma Iota with their Dopey, one of the Seven Dwarfs; and third place was awarded to North College for their sculpture of a Valentine. The judges for the snow sculpture were Dr. Helming, Professor Robertson and Mr. Varley. The awards were made at the ball, Saturday night. Saturday afternoon ' s events began with an exhibition in the pool by the Naiads. Their water ballet included water wheels, stars, and letter formations, including a gigantic M. The skiing events were held on the hill behind Thatcher Hall. In the men ' s slalom, first place was taken by Fernand Bartlett, and second place was tied be- tween George Pushee and Donald Smith. The men ' s downhill was won by Donald Glazier with George Pushee taking second place. The women ' s slalom and downhill were won by Sally Swift. The second place in both events was taken by a Mount Holyoke representative. Gloria Bonazzoli outsped every one to win the cross country event. The ASTRP boys, with the permission of Captain Ryan, entered the events, and the novices were there too, taking spills with the best of them, but taking more. The climax of the week-end was the 26

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Frosh Hazing Paddles and parades, sidewalk scrub- bing, and pond pushing combined to start another year of green frosh on the right path. Despite a drastic lack of sophomore supervision, the freshman boys were kept well in hand through the combined efforts of all upperclass men. Although these newest Statesmen were a little flip at first because of superiority in numbers, they were soon dismayed to learn that the upperclassmen were very adept in the social graces such as giving parties, particularly those situated in the vicinity of the College Pond, as they demonstrated at the rope pull. An invita- tion to these great occasions as guest of honor was easily obtained by disobeying a few of the upperclass whims. During the fall, the annual blossoming of the maroon caps added color to the campus scenery. According to the coeds, the feature of greatest delight was the musical hour conducted every morning for a week at six o ' clock in front of the dorms. The freshman girls were by no means forgotten this year. They, too, lightened the atmosphere with snowy white berets emblazoned with maroon class numerals. For three miserable weeks, they were forced by maroon beribboned sopho- mores to do any small tasks required. Certain taboos, such as no makeup un- less specified, keeping off the center walks of Stockbridge and the Libe, hop- ping the numerals on the sidewalk, and wearing identification pins all served to give the frosh the necessary feeling of humbleness. They quickly learned to detour around the upperclass hangout, the College Store, for fear of being forced to demonstrate their dramatic talent from table tops to a deriding audience. During the week of concentrated haz- ing, the freshman women were required to wear special clothing on three days. Monday was Baby Day, and the frosh acted accordingly, wearing their hair in pigtails, sucking lollypops, and lisping. Moron Day fell on Wednesday, when the girls wore violently clashing clothes back- wards and unmatched socks, and carried umbrellas, which they opened upon the upperclass yell of Air Raid! On Friday, everyone decked out in navy longs, crew caps, and sports equipment to carry out a motif of Sports Day. The most useful piece of equipment required, from an upperclass point of view, was the huge cardboard plaque around each fresh- man ' s neck with her name and home town printed upon it. The following week came the climax: the Torchlight Parade. Most of the col- lege turned out, marching behind the ASTRP band to the Amherst Common. College spirit was high, and except for the lack of organization and leading of the crowd, the parade set a promising prece- dent. [25 1

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Ball which was given in the Drill Hall, transformed into an attractive atmos- phere by the use of elaborate decoration. The music this year was furnished by Morty Gould, his piano, and orchestra. Ann D ' Elia appeared with the band as vocalist. The biggest event of the evening was the selection of the Carnival Queen and her Court. The chaperons chose Dorothy Hurlock ' 46, Kappa Alpha Theta, as queen, and she was presented with a crown of flowers plus the large silver cup. She was attended by Catherine Dellea ' 45, Marion McCarthy ' 46, Lois Russell ' 46, Nancy Stacey ' 48, Edith Dover ' 48, and Barbara Cooley ' 48. Dr. and Mrs. Ritchie, Dr. and Mrs. Woodside, Mrs. Speer, and Lt. Jones were chaperons. The committee in charge included Jack Blalock ' 46, general chairman; Lois Russell ' 46, secretary; and Bill Stowe ' 46, treasurer. Others on the committee were Jim Falvey ' 47, Ruth Reynolds ' 46, Barbara Dower ' 47, Phyllis Houran ' 47, Ed Rachlefl ' 47, and Don Smith ' 46. Although these represent only a few of the formal dances that constituted a cus- tomary part of the annual social calendar in normal times, at least the spirit is here. We have not forgotten the others; they will return before long to the College Calendar. But in the meantime, the number being restricted, three formals were chosen to carry tradition through the period of war. As a climax to this college year, a gala Soph-Senior Hop filled the warm spring air with social harmony. 27