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

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to attend Class Day ceremonies. A little wiser and a little older, we left for a much needed summer vacation. Refreshed and enthusiastic, we re- turned in the fall ready to begin another year of study. We showed our faith in our class officers by elect- ing them for another year. Although slightly reduced in number, we be- came a more active group in the col- lege. Individual personalities began to be recognized as we joined extra- curricular activities. Unexpectedly, we were confronted with the decision of stating our prefer- ence for either elementary or second- ary education. Previously, this choice was made in the junior year. When we had made our decision, we began to adjust gradually to the situation. In the ensuing months nerve- shattering noise was heard around the building. We learned that our gymnasium was being demolished to be replaced by additional classrooms. While we were awaiting the construc- tion of the new gym, physical educa- tion classes were to be held in Room 1 3. Miss Stafford and Mr. Mockler, along with the students, endured the inconvenience in good spirit. Visiting the library, improving our handwrit- ing, and listening to Beethoven ' s Fifth were some of the experiences of our sophomore year. During the second semester we found, much to our disbelief, that Room 14 was to serve temporarily as our lunch room because the old cafe- teria was to be transformed into a physics laboratory. How the entire student body managed to cram them- selves into that congested area is still an enigma. Hopefully, we kept close watch on the construction of our new building, wondering at times if we would ever see the day of its completion. Piqued by these petty yet exasperating problems, we were con- soled by the fact that another year had ended. Upperclassmen . . . indeed we were! Noticeable transformations had taken place during the summer months. Throngs of students could still be found jamming Room 14 during the lunch-hour, but it was not long there- after that our new spacious cafeteria was opened. The impending labor of learning such educational terminology as abacus, tachistoscope, 7 Cardi- nal Principles, meeting the needs, and, of course, CARMA, and kick- ing the educational football, M-l-G, was soon upon us. Despite this under- taking, we were shortly to enjoy the most significant social affair of our Junior year, the prom, which was called Fiesta Holiday. The Wachu- sett Country Club was decorated with an appropriate Spanish theme. Our queen, Mary O ' Gorman, was attended by Linda Heinold, Joan Bruazis, Bar- bara David, and Ann Cavanagh. In order that the teachers in the city and town schools might come to the college for a conference, the ele- mentaries were sent out to substitute. They were privileged to get their first taste of the classroom from the other side of the desk. This first teaching experience was startling and reveal- ing to some, inspiring and encourag- ing to others.

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T o We, the class of 1960, have wit- nessed a period of development at W.S.T.C. since our arrival here in 1956. Today, let us recall some of the major impressions that the past four years have left with us. Dramatic changes have taken place both in our environment and in our curriculum. During our period of orientation we had the opportunity to meet new classmates, memorize our schedules, and contemplate the more serious problems which were to arise. Al- though we were acquainted with a comparatively small number of our fellow students, we were nevertheless faced with the problem of electing class officers. We elected James Mor- gan as president; Mary O ' Gorman as vice-president; Florence Cure as secre- tary; Gilbert Cronin as treasurer; and Joan Jakstis and Joan Bennett as social chairmen. Two representatives, Joan Bruazis and Myrtle Tremblay, were elected to the Student Council. With elections behind us, we turned our attention to planning for our first college function. All College Week. The news of the approaching Winter Carnival prolonged our light-hearted- ness. Our class was well-represented in the queen ' s court by lovely Patricia Sherry. Cramming and black coffee became by-words as we experienced our first mid-year exams. While waiting anxiously for those first marks, we began to think of leisure moments a gain as we anticipated our Freshman Prom. Mary O ' Gorman reigned as queen and a pleasurable evening was had by all. The election of permanent officers to carry us through our freshman year was our next task. We chose Stanley Nelson as president; Mary O ' Gorman as vice-president; Florence Gure as secretary; Donald McGrath as treasurer; and Joan Bennett and Linda Heinold as social chairmen. Joan Bruazis and Myrtle Tremblay were re- elected to the Student Council. Dr. Riordan was selected class adviser and he willingly accepted the problem of resolving our difficulties as they arose in the succeeding years. Springtime brought lazy days dur- ing which we lolled around the lawn, ate lunches near the tennis courts, and dreamed of summer vacation, while desperately trying to dismiss the thought of term papers yet to be written. Shortly, finals were a mem- ory and we marched across the campus following our class marshals, George Sousa and Betty Lou Gareau,

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wv In spite of our anxieties at the thought of approaching exams, we survived the ordeal and, filled with new aspirations, we were eager to begin the next semester. Armed with their inevitable flannel boards and with their meticulously prepared lesson plans and seatwork, the elementaries ventured forth into the teaching-learning environment. At their assigned schools for student teaching, the most fruitful and re- warding experience of the prepara- tion for teaching was realized. Oh, if Dr. Burton could only see them now! Uneasy at first, but with in- creasing confidence, they began to realize the demands and rewards that teaching would present. Meanwhile, the secondaries were by no means idle. The familiar word unit became a reality to us . . . and who did not suffer from that rare disease panelitis that semester? The gym was ready for use and the secondaries were among the first to enjoy its facilities. The campus, too, was beginning to take on a new look. Already we began to visualize what the finished product would look like. Much to the delight of the students, our long-awaited parking area was to be paved. With the exception of the lounge and library, the new build- ing was functioning smoothly. Our Junior year was all too rapidly ending and we realized with sweet sadness that our final year would soon be upon us. With this thought came a realization of the responsi- bilities and work that were yet to come. Our class elected the same officers for our Senior year and led by George Sousa and Dorothy McCarthy, our class marshals, we attended Class Day ceremonies as spectators for the last time. During the program Joan Bruazis received the gavel, which symbolized her acceptance of the presidency of the Student Advisory Council. Having successfully passed the National Teachers Examinations, and having taken the measurements for our caps and gowns, we cast aside our books and left for a well-deserved summer vacation. Hurry up please; it ' s time . . . This was the end and the beginning; the end of our carefree days of school . . . the beginning of our work in our chosen field. Reflecting for a moment on our four years at college, we realized that we had witnessed re- markable changes both in ourselves and in our surroundings. The timid and bewildered freshmen of 1 956 had become seniors who had gained poise and self-confidence. Now, at last, we were allowed to sit in the coveted balcony. The additional building, striking in appearance, was a wel- come sight this year. On October 9 we thrilled to the strains of the traditional Pomp and Circumstance as we marched into the gymnasium for the senior capping exercises symbolizing our newly- gained status. Following the cere- mony, we were honored at a tea to which parents, friends, and faculty were invited. The secondaries . . . strangers to the class this semester, since they had left for student teaching . . . were having their problems with motivation, objectives, and conclusions, while the elementaries were viewing with interest the wonders of Mother Nature.