DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Adelia M. Hoyt memoir and photographs

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Page 30

30 UNFOLDING YEARS
I felt that much of the joy of life had gone with Blanche--but the next fall found me back at school with three years still ahead of me. Because of her year's absence Nan had dropped back one grade and she and I were now the only girls left of the old gang. We took in two other girls as roommates and life went on as usual. Of course, I had other friends in my class and among the younger students. These friendships grew and filled my life, but none ever quite took the place which Blanche had held. I had her letters to comfort me and once in the middle of that years he returned for a brief visit. She had cut off her soft, light brown hair and sold it to pay the expense of that trip, for she was determined to be self-supporting. 
The last week of school was quite an occasion. There were the closing exams which were no trial to me. On Monday evening was held the graduating exercises which in my day consisted of essays and music, all furnished by members of the class. The valedictory and salutatory were given by members chosen by the class and were supposed to go to the students standing first and second in their school work. On Tuesday afternoon occurred the literary and musical contests open only to those in the senior grades. In the evening there was a lecture by some out-of-town celebrity. On Wednesday evening was the closing concert under the direction of the Supervisor of Music. All these exercises were open to the public and were well attended. Commencement week was also a time for reunions when old students were welcomed back and many friendships renewed. As long as I remained in school Blanche returned for these reunions. 
After the closing concert many of the students took the night trains for their homes, and for them and all others there was a midnight lunch. I always remained for these midnight farewells after which those who planned to leave by trains in the morning caught a few hours sleep. I can still recall vividly those midnight suppers, the delightful confusion, the hurrying to and fro, and the sound of trunks being trundled through the halls. I can still feel and smell

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30 UNFOLDING YEARS I felt that much of the joy of life had gone with Blanche--but the next fall found me back at school with three years still ahead of me. Because of her year's absence Nan had dropped back one grade and she and I were now the only girls left of the old gang. We took in two other girls as roommates and life went on as usual. Of course, I had other friends in my class and among the younger students. These friendships grew and filled my life, but none ever quite took the place which Blanche had held. I had her letters to comfort me and once in the middle of that years he returned for a brief visit. She had cut off her soft, light brown hair and sold it to pay the expense of that trip, for she was determined to be self-supporting. The last week of school was quite an occasion. There were the closing exams which were no trial to me. On Monday evening was held the graduating exercises which in my day consisted of essays and music, all furnished by members of the class. The valedictory and salutatory were given by members chosen by the class and were supposed to go to the students standing first and second in their school work. On Tuesday afternoon occurred the literary and musical contests open only to those in the senior grades. In the evening there was a lecture by some out-of-town celebrity. On Wednesday evening was the closing concert under the direction of the Supervisor of Music. All these exercises were open to the public and were well attended. Commencement week was also a time for reunions when old students were welcomed back and many friendships renewed. As long as I remained in school Blanche returned for these reunions. After the closing concert many of the students took the night trains for their homes, and for them and all others there was a midnight lunch. I always remained for these midnight farewells after which those who planned to leave by trains in the morning caught a few hours sleep. I can still recall vividly those midnight suppers, the delightful confusion, the hurrying to and fro, and the sound of trunks being trundled through the halls. I can still feel and smell