Wheaton College - Nike Yearbook (Norton, MA)

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WG ae One of the oldest and most prominent of Wheaton institutions, Y.W.C.A. holds an honored place among her organiza- tions. Both the promotion of companion- ship and Christian unity, which is the national purpose, and the immediate needs of campus itself are recognized by Whea- ton’s chapter. Although everyone paying her semi-annual budget is officially in- cluded on the roster, there is a wide field of active participation for inter- ested students. During our first few weeks at Wheaton, we were informed of a ‘‘can- dlelight’’ service. That evening arrived, and everyone filed slowly into Chapel, receiving a white candle at the door. It was very quiet within, there was an appreciative si- lence for the short service; then the white-gowned officers lighted their candles and passed down the center aisle, giving their light to those in the darkness. Soon the Chapel glowed with hundreds of tiny lights, someone began to sing, and the assembly moved through the open doors toward Peacock Pond. Here the candles were set adrift on the black water, and the singing became quieter as the white flames floated away. It was symbolic of Wheaton’s unity, her desire to pass the light of learning to all her students. In November we found that the success- ful Riding Meet Dance was another Y.W. venture. Y.W. workers hang spangled stars across a blue cheesecloth sky, invent new delicious punch recipes, and arrange carnival lighting for the November and February formals. Informal dances in the Sem are occasionally sponsored by the social committee. It’s a grand idea for a Saturday evening date, for you can munch sugar-doughnuts while playing your fav- orite Tommy Dorsey recording. Christmas brings an atmosphere of holi- day festivity to Wheaton, for ‘‘Good King Wenceslas,’’ the Mum- mers, and Christmas trees tule the campus. Those green boughs twined a- round the pillars in Ey- erett arethe work of Y.W., as are the Christmas box- es you contribute to with last year’s ski pants and red sweater. Suddenly by the end of the semester, you tealize how much Y.W. means to Wheaton and to you, its attempts to promote cooperatio n and efficiency in so many ways, its con- stant coordination behind scenes, the angora mittens so miraculously restored to you through Lost and Found, the supply of magazines in the Infirmary, the milk chocolate and peppermints sold in dorms. Perhaps one of the most interesting Y.W. features is the Play Club which ar- ranges a weekly meeting of the Norton first grade in the Nursery School. It’s fun to help paint improbable wall murals with the six-year-olds, to watch May Irene riding a dappled hobby-horse, and Lenny leading the band. Among the organization’s varied ac- tivities are the Community Service—aid to the Norton district nurse and Red Cross funds—and the Norton Night School, [ 28 |

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disregarded, has tried by strict enforce- ment to make campusing unbreakable, save for emergencies. Not only are repri- mands gone, but so has most loose campus- ing. It is now reserved for petty cases, “incorrigibles,’’ noise makers, for example. C.G.A. not only makes laws and gives judgments but sponsors college busses and the monthly dances, a very material, though pleasant, side overlooked by many of us. We all automatically ac- cept Wheaton College Cit- izenship with its obliga- tions as well as its privil- eges when first we become students, the preamble to the C.G.A. Constitution Bayeeee. (x... eStrives? to “enact and enforce laws promoting the highest standards of honor and integrity.”’ It is trying to obtain codperation, trying to make the entire college feel the respons1- bility of citizenship, that C.G.A. is made up of their own number, for their own Cabinet in Session good, and is not merely a superior body to give out campusing and collect the budget twice a year. The efforts of College Government have been criticized, but the great weight of student opinion is on the side of their new and liberal interpretation of rules. It is one more evidence that Wheaton looks, not back, but for- ward. The new spirit has been felt in every corner of campus; from the Cole Room to the bookstore one meets the serious eyes and intent voices that signify progress.Not that fun has been for- gotten; rather that the seriousness of certain fun- damental ideas of self- government has been realized. And so after a year of new endeavor, C.G.A. feels that it has attained a certain measure of success. It is the work of more than one year. This has been the start— may we see an equally fine continuation. [27]

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functioning two nights a week until Christmas vacation, to bring increased ed- ucation to the community. Forum and the Peace Committee have wide-awake dis- cussion groups, meeting to talk over sub- jects of international interest. The World Fellowship Commit- tee raises funds for underprivileged fam- ilies and students, both in the United States and abroad. A drive for the Far Eastern Student Em- ergency Fund this Peateresuited in splendid support from the Wheaton students. Several intercolleg- iate conferences to which Wheaton sends delegates are held in the course of the year. Anyone may apply to attend the Northfield Winter Conference, or the Regional Conference at Camp O-At-Ka on Lake Sebago, Maine. This year four Wheaton girls—Rebecca Taylor, Joanna Warren, Ruth Haslam, and Alberta Row- land—attended the National Assembly for the Student Christian Association at Mi- ami University in Ohio. More than a thousand college delegates with an addi- tional staff of three hundred met there for five days during Christmas vacation to debate on student problems. Students from the University of Maine and Southern California could converse over the coffee cups; Rollins delegates could exchange ideas with Notre Dame. One of the chief merits of the conference was that so many came together in a mid-western college, forgetful of racial distinction, personal Second-hand Store prejudice, and local ideas. Our delegates report that the practical application of the information gleaned there is invaluable. Y.W. leaders plan to hold the successful conference once in every college genera- tion. 1937-38 has seen several interesting YW. 4 speakers? “at Wheaton: on October 13, Mr. Gavin Pitt Brown addressed a large gathering, and on November 10, Dr. Goodwin spoke on Labrador. On Febru- aty 16, Mr. Hidy as- cended the platform and gave us “‘A Brief for Compromise.” Jean Harris spoke in chapel twice con- cerning the World Fellowship drives. With the help of Dr. Park, Y.W. presented two very impressive services, one on Good Friday, and the other, a vesper service, on Easter. The chairmen of Y.W. committees and the four organization officers make up Cabinet. This year’s board included Cab- inet, Mrs. Park, chairman, Miss Car- penter, Miss Littlefield, and Dr. Sprague. The association endeavors each year to strike a harmonious balance between the more serious efforts which accord with its ideals and the promotion of social activity and honest fun. The stern rigors to which our Pilgrim forefathers were accustomed have become a thing of the past. We have time for pleasure now, and its wholesome and beneficial influence is recognized by Wheaton’s Y.W.C.A., as well as the world in general. “(F298