Worcester State University - Oak Leaf Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 25 text:

fledged Sophomores, we felt it our duty to make the bewildered Freshmen a little less bewildered by tendering a re- ception in their honor. Not having had too much experience at college, we did not offer too much of the good, sound advice with which we were burst- ing, but we did manage to set our younger colleagues well on the path toward the future. So it was with no fear or trepidation that we initiated ourselves into the many social affairs which we must undertake. Our Sophomore dance even now stands out in our minds. Who could possibly forget that remarkably successful “Spring Dance” to which we struggled on slippery, snow covered roads. The dance was, indeed, symbolic of our whole year. We were perpetu- ally surmounting difficulties on the bumpy road to our Junior Year, and we always arrived at the destination safe, sound, and successful. The three events of the Junior Year which stand out most clearly in our minds were the purchasing of our class rings, our Junior Week, and that all important social event, the Junior Prom. The steady light burning deep in the true blue stones of our rings will al- ways keep alive the memories of the innumerable happy hours as well as the necessary hard work at school. Each time we glance at our rings we are reminded of all that college means — all the joy and vitality of partici- pating in such a diversity of events. One of these events was our Junior Week and it was only the visible sign of the solid gold in the class of ’39. Each performance was finished artistry and the bright spot it made in this year will never be forgotten. The formal black and white of our guests and the lovely, graceful gowns of the girls were the keynote of our Prom. Refreshing coolness with just a dash of subtle sophistication was ex- pressed in the black and silver decora- tions. We were, too, a bit more digni- fied and grown up than usual in keeping with our advanced station. It remains for next year to polish us even more brightly and it is to our Senior year that we eagerly turn our faces. It is with a shade of sadness as well as a song of joy that we approach the end of our career at Teachers College. We are loath to think of parting, and so we turn our attention to the prob- lems at hand. Senior Week outdid itself in living up to last year’s reputation. “Little Women” was perfectly suited to our talents and was efficiently as well as artistically presented. Indeed the whole week stands out in our memory as the great event of our Senior Year. Bridge parties, dances, the carnival and the Yearbook more than filled up the time remaining after we were free from the training school. It is now we realize the thrill and responsibility which is ours as we are about to teach. Now we know what it means to help children up the ladder of knowledge. And as we realize our responsibility we know ' we are at last grown up and able to do our best in the profession we have chosen. Even while we are sadly reminiscing on all the milestones in our college years, we are eagerly anticipat- ing and even welcoming any challenge we will receive in the years to come. For we know that with our background we are completely equipped with all materials necessary to worthily live. Twenty-one

Page 24 text:

SENIOR CLASS OFFICERS EDNA D. .KNOLLIN RITA M. THOMPSON FRANCES A. RYAN ELIZABETH C. KENNEDY VIRGINIA M. LEONARD President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Social Chairman SENIOR CLASS HISTORY rpHE Freshman year is viewed only ■ telescopically, to be sure, but every detail in that far away picture is clearly outlined. Why, w ' e can see each one of us with expectant, eager faces as we joyously, if a little per- plexedly, wandered through the corri- dors and gradually became acquainted with both professors and classmates. Our timorousness did not wane to any great extent throughout the whole of this our initiation year, but the cor- diality with which we were received surelv dispelled any qualms we might have had upon setting foot on strange territory. Our Senior sisters saw to it that we were made known to the faculty at that never-to-be-forgotten Freshman-Senior party, and each clasp of the hand, as we met our professors, placed S. T. C. in a deeper and more substantial nook in our hearts. Not to be outdone by the formidable Seniors, the Sophomores took us under their collective wing by giving, in our honor, a most delightful reception. The splendid friendliness and cordiality which marked the first step in our career swung us happily to the end of this our first year at Worcester. Is it any wonder, then, that we turned eager faces to the future years at college. For the second year we entered the portals of Teachers College, but we were not at all puzzled now by corri- dors and program cards. Indeed, quite the contrary — now that we were full Twenty

Page 26 text:

IVY ADDRESS Rita M. Thompson We have gathered at this time to per- form a fitting and impressive ceremony — the planting of the ivy. As we look out into our future, we see it enveloped in a deep mist; but our past is real, and clear, and full of memories of our happy college days. It is to these days at State Teachers College that we wish to pay a sincere tribute — a tribute to the days of loyal friends and patient teachers, to the days of education and careful guidance, as well as to the days of our youth and happy preparation. Equipped as we are, we feel pre- pared to face our new life; but as a symbolic remembrance — that we may perpetuate our memory and have a living memorial to this class of 1939 — we leave behind us this ivy, strong and sturdy, steady and straight. To us the ivy symbolizes everlasting growth — growth of our college in pow- er and fame, growth of each of us in ability and perseverance. Accept this ivy as a token of our love and sincere appreciation for our college. We have every reason to believe that our little plant will climb ever upward, remain ever green and strong — faithful to its noble mission, mindful of its humble worth. It is our hope that this ivy will long adorn our building with its simple beauty — that it will send its roots deep into the soil and grow with a vitality worthy of our great hopes. As we have grown under the wise supervision of our advisors, so must this plant now carry on its own way. May we in future years be happy in the belief that this ivy is keeping alive the memory of the class of 1939. SENIORS Twenty-two