CLASS OF 1934

IN the fall of nineteen hundred and thirty there gathered together at East Carolina Teachers College a hundred and thirty-five young girls. They went aboard the blue and silver ship of '34 and headed toward the ocean of graduation beyond the streams of Ignorance, far across the lakes of Obstacles, and the great river of Misfortune. The passengers knew that others had gone before and had received the degree of gold. The life of eleven years in public schools had prepared them for such a voyage.

So large a crew called for leaders. Soon after they left shore the company chose Ruth Parker, Elizabeth Denny, Eleanor Jones, and Catheryn Holland to guide their ship, and selected Miss Holtzclaw and Mr. Cummings as advisers, and Ellen Moore Fort as their mascot. The first part of the group's voyage was an eventful one. First came Registration day. Everyone passed through easily with the kindness and helpfulness given them by the Student Officers. Soon after our voyage began, we drew up to shore for the Junior-Freshman party, which was a picnic at the Country Club. This was followed by initiation into societies. What fun we all had! Soon came Thanksgiving Day, which was the day of basketball con- tests. Can you believe it ! We, the youngest of the contestants, won the championship. After the basketball contests, we left shore and sailed on and on for many months. These months were spent in work and play. In May we brought our ship to shore once more. It was time for us to honor our sister class, the Juniors. We entertained them royally. It was a May-Day party with a May Pole dance and May Poles on the cakes. We had such a lovely time! In just a few weeks our crew disbanded; for it was time for vacation.

The fall of '31 soon came, and the members of our crew gathered at the ship. Our pilots were Stella Hlevins, Margaret Smith, Mary Lynn Pipkin and Mary Elizabeth Crawford. The second part of our voyage was somewhat uneventful compared to our first. Before wi left shore we saw that the Freshman were located and had been initiated into a society. Our crew did not see land again until we returned to pay our respects to the Seniors. We entertained them at a barbecue supper at the lake. Soon our members said farewell to each other. It was time for a leave of absence.

Next, came the year to which we all looked forward to - our Junior year. My, but weren't we becoming important ! We were proud to say that we were members of the crew of the ship of '34. We chose for our captains Clara Vann Freeman, Margaret Smith, Hilda Thompson, and Etblyn Sanders. This part of our voyage was composed mostly of entertainment. There were three big events. First, there was the Junior-Freshman Halloween party. Next came the Freshman-Junior party, which was a lovely bridge dance. Then came the long-looked-for Junior-Senior Banquet and Dance. We decided to ask the Seniors to come aboard our ship for this event. We had our banquet in our dining hall. After the banquet we went on deck for our dance. Jelly Leftwich and his orchestra sat on the upper deck and provided the rhythm for our dancing. All of it was wonderful, and just as successful as we had hoped for. It was not long before we turned our ship toward port. Vacation time was here again.

The fall of '33 soon came. At last, the ambitions of years! The crew entered upon the last lap of the voyage. Our ship was guided by Ruth Parker, Aleen Hunt, Elizabeth Royall, and Mary Lynn Pipkin. The fall was uneventful; perhaps all the members were too busy with practice teaching to engage in merriment. The winter months brought forth the Sophomore-Senior theater party, and the Senior class play, "The Family Upstairs." In the spring our band was entertained by the Juniors.

And now, oh joy, goal is at hand! The streams, the lakes, the rivers are all behind, and we, the "Class of '34" enter the Ocean of Life.

Elizabeth Denny, Historian.

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