Upsala College - Upsalite Yearbook (East Orange, NJ)

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impressed by Upsala,s traditional talents! We swelled with loyalty. We had only praise for everything that we saw and heard that Monday night. Tuesday arrived, a perfect spring day, and with it, graduation. The exercises were held With due solemnity and academic decorum. There were smiles of happiness as well as tears of regret visible on the countenances of the graduates, especially when the vale- dictorian, Samuel Greenly, delivered a sim- ple yet powerful address, which was fol- lowed by the conferring of special honors, and the address of the commencement speaker. Finally, the diplomas were handed out, and a temporary bedlam of congratulating and embracing followed. The new grads behaved with less gravity than might be expected of them. But no one minded. Why should they? Envious or sympathetic as might be the case. The Senior Reception was the finale of a perfect Spring Week. For those of us who were graduated it is the last thing that we associate with our fellow students, for the next day quickly brings its problems. We undergraduates felt a bit happy that we had one, two, or three years to go, for all that remained of college for the seniors was a memory. And such a happy one! Berniece Parks is queen! Long live the queen! One Hundred Forty-five

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the dark hrs and elms appeared even darker, when the thousands of colored lights cast a magic spell over the leafy stillness 0f the June night-we all spoke with subdued ac- cents. For, no matter how often we have witnessed this pageant, we are enthralled again. A great crowd was gathered near the regal seat, expectantly stretching necks and voic- ing opinions in whispers. Then, a trumpet call burst upon us, and we knew that the procession had started. With stately tread, the Spring Queen of 1939, Helen Doyle, preceded by the daisy chain, and followed by her attendants, walked toward the throne led by Mr. King, the President of the Student Council. The newly-elected Queen, our own Berniece Parks, escorted by Mr. Banks, the new president of the Student Council, was next in that regal procession. With a well formed speech, Helen Doyle relinquished her crown to the new majesty. Mr. Banks, on behalf of the entire college, pledged loyalty to her, and, amidst the cheers 0f the throng, set fire to the large U3, Spontaneously we hailed the darting flames with Hail, Hail Upsalall, sung as never before with much fervor and feeling. With a feeling of intense pride all of us went toward the open air stage where we were to be treated to a performance of The Romancersf presented by the Footlight Club. More pride settled upon our heads as the evening progressed. Let anyone say he wasnlt One Hundred Forty-four THE ALL UPSALA BANQUET-speeches and satire, feast- ing and fun, letters and keys-a grand tradition

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After being rained out on the night it was originally scheduled the Footlight Club,s production of The Romancersb sparkled forth in the traditional fashion of an Upsala Spring Week drama. The play, by Edmund Rostand, author of Cyrano de Bergeracf twinkled with its authoris characteristic humor and brought more than one thunder of laughter from a delighted audience. The setting blended perfectly with a campus bursting With bridal wreath and fresh green ivy in honor of Spring Week. Colorful eighteenth century costumes in a garden of that same romantic era lent a charm that did much to add to the produc- tionis success. Long remembered Will be the perform- ances of Harvey Gustafson and Martin Leve- tas as two old cronies feigning intense em- nity in order to create the Montague- Capulet atmosphere that they deemed neces- sary to bring their children together in the Romeo-Juliet manner that they had so long desired. Anthony Dominici was the perfect dream- ing lover and he tugged the heartstrings or should we say, tickled the ribs, of the audience as he declaimed: uNight has come, and the gentle odor of the lilacs is wafted to me on the gentle breezes 0f the evening- she is coming, she is comingV Thus came the gentle maiden and heroine of the play, Peggy Doyle. She longed for romance and dreamed of a gallant champion Who would rescue her from the forces of One Hundred Forty-six Eighteenth century romanceetwentieth century playa evil. In fact, she demanded that of her lover and thus presented the anxious parents with a pressing problem. Robert Banks solved this dilemma in the person of a professional kidnapper-pardon us, abductor? Indeed, he had all kinds: Moonlight abductions, abductions on a dark and starless night, sedan chair abduc- tions, abductions in a four horse carriage, With mutes, negroes, brigands, musketeers, costumes, wigs and all the trimmings, Violent abductions, calm and quiet abductions, ab- ductions in a boat, abductions in a gondola, any kind of abduction that could possibly be desired. In fact, he was a master of this art, it was his profession, his life, his all. He was an artist, a true follower of this ancient profession and was justly proud of his trade. The climax came in the abduction scene when Banks and Dominici crossed blades in what proved to be a little bit more than just acting when Banks became a bit over zealous