1 3 0 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI s
t
the work, and require "stories" on the subjects discussed. The t
children have something they want to t e l l about, and i n many cases
they tell i t extremely well. I believe that although the time f o r w
regular work is shortened, the special work vitalizes it sufficiently a
to make up f o r lost time. w
Another criticism is that the frequent change of classes causes s
too much confusion. O f course there w i l l be confusion—but w h y g
expect a normal healthy boy to sit still for several hours i n silence? a
The change f r o m one class to another gives the children an oppor- a
tunity to relax and stir about. w
Whatever the criticisms of the system may be, there are compen- i
sations, after a l l . The enthusiasm of the children (they surely are i
alive!), the spontaniety w i t h which class work is carried on, the w
friendly relations between pupils and teachers, and the freedom of s
the teacher to develop her own ideas—are strong points i n its favor. S
h
T H E EDUCATIONAL ATMOSPHERE IN LUZERN p
H E R M I N E HATFIELD, Z '19 h
Our party of five wide-awake American girls arrived in Luzern l
just in time for the Fourth of July celebration in 1914 given for b
the American tourists. Several thousand of our wholesome, enthusi-
astic Americans surged along the promenade in true American fash- u
ion. T h e magnificent battle of fireworks waged i n the air between t
the hotel gardens and the boats out on the lake, together with the w
American popular and patriotic music produced by bands and orches-
tras on the hotel balconies, made us i n love w i t h ourselves and our s
America. Yes, we were more patriotic that year i n Luzern than dur-
ing a l l the previous years of our lives. a
s
We spent the year in a private home studying with a private tutor,
so d i d not see much or any school l i f e . We wanted to visit the t
public school, but f o u n d that to be impossible. Even teachers are
not admitted without special permits. The school authorities do
not approve of anything that might distract the minds of the pupils.
Thus we got the impression of a strict and rigid school system.
Then when we saw l i t t l e tots t r u d g i n g along about seven-thirty ffl
the m o r n i n g w i t h their school packs on their backs, we were sure
that we were glad to have been born i n America. S t i l l we wondered
at the amount those Swiss children learned and were sorry we
weren't Swiss. They learn to knit their stockings i n the first grade,
and begin their first f o r e i g n language at about nine years of age-
O n the very first day of their schooling, however, they begin to learn
German, a language unknown to them f o r the Swiss German dialect
is used almost entirely i n the homes of the middle and lower class.
TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 131
T w o marked differences between their schools and ours are the
separate classes f o r the boys and girls, and the prevalence of men
teachers even i n the lower grades. Men are considered more i n -
tellectual than women and are deemed necessary, at least f o r the boys.
O n two occasions we d i d have the chance to see something of
what the public school l i f e is like,—once when we were invited to
attend a Christmas program in one of the grade schools, and again
when we visited a village school house.
T h e Christmas celebration was interesting, because i t resembled the
strict old-fashioned schools one finds described i n books. T h e pro-
gram, conducted by the long coated school masters, was very long
and heavy. The profound oratorical style of the many recitations
and dialogues, made us smile as we thought of the "sing-songy"
way we spoke pieces as children.
But the time we visited the village school house was even more
interesting. I t was i n Udligenschevil, a village on the stage route
in the hills. Our German tutor, Fraulein Annemarie Klmiger Pfyffer,
was looking a f t e r the education of the village youngsters, while the
school master was on duty protecting the boundary of his tiny
Switzerland. T h e village was composed o f a half dozen peasant
houses, the hotel, the church, one l i t t l e shop and the low, brown, u n -
painted school house. T h e broad low doorway of the latter ad-
mitted us into a hallway whose unfinished wooden floors, walls and
ceiling were worn to a polish with scrubbing and wear. A f t e r the
heavy wooden shutters had been opened, we saw a schoolroom such
as we never had seen before. The long, low, worm-eaten benches,
worn shiny w i t h age, and the high p l a t f o r m f o r the teacher's desk,
gave the atmosphere of "spare the rod and spoil the child." Eriiu-
lein Elmiger showed us some of the newspaper covered composition
books with their perfect copy-book style of writing.
But the aristocratic children, those of the old families, do not
usually go to the public schools. They have tutors f r o m the time
they begin to talk until they are g r o w n ; even then such men and
women of leisure often continue the private lessons. T h e boys o f
these families are more apt to go to the public schools f r o m high
school age up, but the education of the average aristocratic g i r l
is finished i n a private school or a Catholic convent when she is
about fifteen. A t least a year away f r o m home is considered neces-
sary. There are girls of the middle class, or of fortuneless aristo-
cracy who continue their education i n order to teach. This studying
ttay also be done w i t h private teachers, a f t e r which the state ex-
aminations are taken. T h e rank of a teacher does not depend upon
132 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
where she d i d her studying, but rather where she took her examina-
tions and how she passed them.
Although we had had much more schooling than our Luzern girl
friends, we felt their superiority strongly in many things. They
knew nothing of science, but greatly excelled us along literary lines,
and in their appreciation of art. They not only knew their own
literature as well as the German, but were w e l l acquainted w i t h
those of France, England, and perhaps of Italy, Spain, or Portugal.
They had an earnest desire to learn and a pride i n acquired skill.
I remember the first afternoon when the girls in the families of
Frau Mayer Brun's friends were invited f o r tea and to meet the
five American girls. Frau Mayer Brun suggested that we improve
the time by reading aloud some German and English poetry. I
never shall forget how beautifully those girls read their German, and
how inferior and childish our English seemed.
Each o f them could speak at least four languages. I n Luzern
a person is not counted w e l l educated unless he can speak three or
four. There are three distinctive languages spoken in Switzerland—
French, Italian, and Swiss-German, and there are twenty-two dia-
lects of these. The Luzern man must know French and Italian in
order to communicate with the people of his own country. From
Luzern one rides scarcely two hours on the train before the baggage
men and porters are shouting French instead of Swiss-German.
T h e n i t is necessary f o r h i m to know English i f he wishes to cater
to the thousands of American tourists that find their way to Switzer-
land every year. One Luzern g i r l said, " W e must be able to speak
English, or we couldn't go to the dances given in the summer time
while the Americans are here."
We never d i d get quite accustomed to the variety of languages
floating around i n the air. I n our small dancing class our "Tanz-
meister" spoke I t a l i a n to the orchestra, French to some members of
the class, Swiss-German to others, and German to us. T h e n there
were some in the class who always spoke English w i t h us.
Such a situation is not at a l l uncommon. I n one f a m i l y with
which we were .acquainted half the children spoke only French and
the other half only English. Each could, however, understand the
language of the other. Thus the noise in the nursery was both
French and English. A French governess f o r the older children
and an E n g l i s h nursemaid f o r the younger t w o , were the cause of
this division. The children have not yet learned Swiss-German,
their native tongue, or German, the public and official language in
Luzern.
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 133
The Luzern girls had had still another course of education f o r
which few Americans have time. They could do a l l kinds of fancy
work f r o m knitting to the making o f Venetian laces. I n the convents
the girls even learn to do the elaborate gold embroidering on the
priests' robes.
We enjoyed this side of our Swiss education very much. I t was
lovely to have time f o r such things. I t seemed as though there were
more than twenty-four hours i n the Swiss day, as leisure time was
so abundant. W e k n i t socks f o r the soldier boys, woolen caps f o r the
orphans, and dressed dolls at Christmas time f o r poor children. The
women of the old aristocratic families spend much of their time in
such charity work.
But the Luzern girls were not only good students and able to do
a l l kinds of fancy w o r k ; they were true sportswomen besides. They
could fence, skate, skii, swim, row, or paddle a canoe like profes-
sionals. We envied them and tried w i t h special lessons to acquire
skill. Lessons, especially i n the winter sports, are very popular in
Switzerland. We found ourselves too clumsy, however. A f t e r sprain-
ing most of the joints in our bodies, we gave up skiing on the Alps
as an accomplishment not meant f o r American girls.
Our year i n Luzern was ended before we knew it, and before
we had any feelings of having had enough. We were half hoping
that the war would make us extend one year into two. Being the
only Americans left in Luzern, we spent our second Fourth of July
at a dinner given for us by a Luzern friend. This time there was
a combination of Swiss and American patriotism which suited the
occasion, f o r we had adopted Switzerland as our second fatherland.
We l e f t Luzern the f o l l o w i n g week; made the t r i p across France and
from Bordeaux to New York without experiencing more of the war
than enough to give spice to the t r i p .
R E F E R E N C E WORK FOR T H E HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT
" H o w much reference work shall I require of the student of
history i n the high school?" T h i s question meets every teacher of
history. O n the one hand, simple lack of time answers i t f o r her.
But on the other the realization that i t is imperative f o r the student
who goes on to college, confronts her.
She cannot neglect the textbook—the foundation—and yet she
must somehow add a few embellishments, both because they give
the class as a whole a broader knowledge and a greater interest in
the subject, and because the college student who has had no previous
134 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
training i n outside reading and reporting of the same, is entirely at
sea when he receives heavy college assignments.
I f then we are to assign references, other than fiction, f o r outside
reading and class reporting, how many shall they be, and f r o m what
source shall they come? From an experience of eight years I should
like to say i n answer to the first—not more than once i n two weeks.
Monday I have f o u n d to be the best day. D i v i d e the class into t w o
divisions, so that each student w i l l report once i n two weeks, and
have Monday as report day. Insist upon the students giving oral
reports. A t first allow brief notes, but by the second semester require
noteless reports to be given. T h e references may increase i n length
and difficulty, as the students proceed f r o m class to class, f o r I have
f o u n d that reference work is as valuable f o r Freshmen as f o r Seniors.
The choice of books is a difficult one. The average high school
can afford f e w ; the average town library is a barren treasure house;
the average teacher does not care to spend her own money f o r them.
Moreover, except i n rare cases, the books used by college students
are not read with profit by the high school boy or g i r l . A n d it
must also be remembered that Freshmen and Seniors alike may be
sent to the same books, since the history courses vary i n so many
high schools.
I am giving below some lists of books—every one of which I have
found very serviceable i n my high school history classes. T h e y are
books f r o m which the average student can gain something really
worth while, and at the same time keep his interest. They are also
considered the best of authorities f r o m an authentic point o f view.
For Greek and Roman history I recommend the following:
f l . Troy—Benjamin
Epochs o f Ancient H i s t o r y Series 12. Greeks and Persians—Cox
13. E a r l y Rome—Ihne
[4. Rome and Carthage—Smith
5. A Source Book of Roman H i s t o r y — M u n r o
6. A Source Book of Greek H i s t o r y — M u n r o
7. Schliemann's Excavations—Schuchhardt
8. Roman L i f e i n the Days of Cicero—Church
9. Private L i f e o f the Romans—Preston and Dodge
10. Private L i f e of the Romans—Johnston
(The last named book I have found invaluable. I t is published
by Scott, Foresman and Co., and is worth a hundred times the $1.00
which it costs.)
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 135
For English History the books given below are authoritative, read-
able, and interesting:
\\. Early Tudors—Moberley
Epoch Series J 2. The Age of Elizabeth—Creighton
]3. Houses of Lancaster and York—Gardiner
[4. The Age of Anne—Morris
5. Europe i n the M i d d l e Ages—Thatcher and Schwill
6. A Short H i s t o r y of the English People—Green
7. Readings i n English—Cheyney
8. A Social and Industrial History of England—Cheyney
9. Social E n g l a n d — T r a i l l (Six volumes)
10. History of England—Terry
For Medieval and Modern history, in which the time for reading
is necessarily limited, I have found the f o l l o w i n g books of great help:
. j l . The T h i r t y Years' War—Gardiner
Epoch Series j 2 Frederick'the Great—Longman
3. Europe i n the M i d d l e Ages—Thatcher and Schwill
4. Civilization in the Middle Ages—Adams
5. Readings i n European History—Robinson
6. A H i s t o r y of Prussia—Tutrle
7. M y Scrap Book of the French Revolution—Latimer
8. France i n the 19th Century—Latimer
9. T h e Story of P'rance—Watson ( T w o volumes)
10. Jeanne d' A r c — M a i d of France—Bangs
HELPS IN TEACHING LATIN
EI.SIE FORD PIPER, Z '04 Neb.
Head of Latin Department, State Normal Sehool, Wayne,
Every teacher is always anxious to find some new suggestion as
to a manner or method of presentation of his subject that w i l l
arouse or increase the interest of the student, and we who are en-
gaged i n the teaching of the L a t i n are by no means an exception.
I n the last f e w years, especially, we have been more concerned
about making the class extremely interesting, alive, and keen, because
we feel that we have an external force that must be combatted. Re-
cently, throughout the West, the so-called "vocational" subjects have
attracted so much attention that L a t i n , w i t h other classical and
cultural studies, has been crowded into the background, and in some
schools even abolished.
This fact cannot but leave its influence on the attitude of mind
of the student on entering the course. H e has heard the cry that the
136 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
language is absolutely dead; out-of-date, and useless, u n t i l he h i m -
self is d o u b t f u l of its value; and this doubt lurking deep in his con-
sciousness must be banished i f he is to derive the benefit f r o m the
course that should be received.
Probably i n the work of the first year the best method w i l l be
constantly to point out to the student the English derivatives from
each new word in the vocabulary, having him memorize both. Later,
at intervals, i t should be shown how the English vocabulary has
been increased, and how the sense of the E n g l i s h w o r d has been
simplified as to meaning, and shades of meaning, by the learning of
the L a t i n word. T h e n , i f L a t i n is the first language, aside f r o m the
English, to be studied, the student should be made to feel the beauty
of seeing a new language u n f o l d . Besides the mechanical work,
the constant reminding of the student of these two facts w i l l arouse
an interest to see what the f u r t h e r study of the language w i l l bring.
T h e first of the second year is probably as discouraging a period
as any w i t h which the teacher has to contend, but i f we can bridge
the first six weeks, the rest of the work is easy. I n connection w i t h
Cccsar the interest of the class is furthered by the references to
Ancient History, the comparison o f Caesar as a general w i t h other
great commanders. W i t h i n the last year the fact that Europe is
waging its war i n the same territory i n which Caesar carried on his
conquests lends interest to the subject.
I n reading the orations of Cicero, the plan of the development of
the oration and the almost faultless style of his oratory give untold
value to one studying English composition and rhetoric. A close
study of the literature of this age of Rome, the reading of the lives
of the writers f r o m Plutarch or some secondary writer increases
interest.
A student who has arrived at the place where he is ready f o r
Vergil has been convinced that he is interested i n the Roman lan-
guage and literature, so now the field of the teacher is broader and
more pleasant. The development of the plot of the story is inter-
esting, but is almost unimportant i n comparison w i t h the realization
of the beauty of the poetry. Comparison with that of our greatest
English poets reveals to the student that Vergil is a veritable source
book f o r the literary masters of later ages.
Gayley's Classical Myths and Gerber's Myths of Greece and Rome
are almost indispensable in explaining the superstitions and religious
beliefs of the Romans.
I n the study of Cicero's later work, De Senectute, the student
becomes a sharer i n the l i f e of a l l ages. I n his sublime subject, the
immortality of the soul, Cicero has given us that which is a universal
TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 137
and permanent interest, and to which later thinking has added
little i f anything. N o w it is inspiring to the imagination and up-
l i f t i n g to the soul to find what this storm-tossed statesman of two
thousand years ago has f o r every one of us who lives on this earth
today. That fact is a rebuke to shallow teaching, and to those who
deny the efficacy of the great thinkers of the past, and is a solace
and help to those of the present.
ALPHA O TEACHERS
The table given below records i n Column I the number of teach-
ing alumnae f r o m each chapter, and i n Column I I the number of
active girls who seriously intend to teach. There are several teachers
among the A l p h a and Beta alumnae, but because of the inactivity
of the former and the abolishment of the latter, it was impossible
to obtain satisfactory statistics. 11
10
I II I 6
15
Gamma 36 14 Pi 15 3
Kappa 15 15
Theta 35 16 Sigma 14 14
Rho
Zeta 27 4 Upsilon 8 8
Lambda 6 1
Delta 23 12 l 2
Nu 0
Chi 22 12 Nu Kappa 155
Tau 19 8
Iota IS in
Omicron 18 8
Epsilon 15 12 287
1 3 8 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
THE EXPERIENCE EXCHANGE
HELPS I N TEACHING GEOGRAPHY
Just a h a n d f u l of suggestions that have proved h e l p f u l to me i n
teaching geography. May I pass them on?
T o anybody who has to teach South America I w o u l d like to
recommend a book that proved of inestimable service to me. This
is Clark's The Continent of Opportunity, and it is replete w i t h
the very things that arrest a child's attention and stimulate his interest.
Munsey's Magazine f o r the past year has had a long article each
month on the various European countries. The articles themselves
are largely historical and are chiefly valuable to the geography
teacher because of the excellent pictures.
A good set of books to place i n the hands of the children is called
Peeps at Many Lands.
I n teaching the Soudan, a region terribly remote from the child's
experience, t r y the vitalizing effect of K i p l i n g ' s poem Fuzzy Wuzzy,
prefaced by a brief explanation of the English expedition to the
Soudan.
W h e n we finished the study of the products of our country I
had product maps made. T h e girls made one, the boys another, and
there was intense r i v a l r y as to which map would be the better looking
and the more complete. A large outline map of the United States
was drawn, and then the products—grains of rice, wheat and corn,
bits of iron ore, coal, copper wire, leather, orange peel, splinters
of wood, etc.,—were pasted on by the pupils.
M y posters of the largest city in each section of the United States
proved stirrers of interest. W e studied these cities as though we
were visiting them. We procured post card views of each and used
them in this study. Later we wrote up our visit, pasted the story
on a big sheet of cardboard, lettered w i t h the name of the city and
illustrated w i t h our cards. I venture to say some of the pupils then
had a better acquaintance with that city than many an actual visitor
there.
H A R R I E T T * . A . W I L L I A M S , Omicron '12.
Teacher in Chattanooga, Term.
A T R I U M P H OF A PARENT-TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION
I t h i n k you may be interested i n hearing of something done by
the Parent-Teachers' Association i n Watertown, S. D . , (my home)
this year. Many of the more wealthy girls in the high school wore
very elaborate dresses to school continually—silks, low cut and short
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 139
sleeved gowns, and thin waists, which not only were out of place
in the schoolroom, but also made it embarrassing f o r the poorer
girls. The Association decided upon, and effected this: N o girl
should be allowed to come to school i n any dress other than a wool or
cotton middy or sailor suit, or a very simple skirt and plain waist.
The rule wrought havoc in the schoolroom at first, but is now work-
ing well.
L E O T A K I R L I N , Tau ' 1 4 .
Teacher of English, Marion, S. D.
A STORY PLAY
There is nothing so r e s t f u l as handing the reins over to the
children and being a child yourself. D i d you ever try it?
A Story Play is not only enjoyable and instructive, but it frees
one f r o m the restraint of teaching, and disciplining. Just relax,
enjoy every bit of it by putting all the responsibility on the children,
and let them do whatever they wish with the Story. Don't interfere
ever. I n this way you w i l l learn of the marvelous dramatic instinct
of children, and p a r t i c u l a r l y of your children.
T h e worst boy i n the class was pointed out to me by a l l the
teachers on m y first day i n schooL H e was of f o r e i g n b i r t h , and
poorly clad, a sad thing that often reflects on one's manners, yet he
was never bad w i t h me. I discovered an accomplishment. H e could
crow marvelously like a rooster. I never have heard a more perfect
imitation, nor had the children who looked upon him with respect
and pride. I t was this that gave h i m a position i n the school
w o r l d , and one must live up to one's position. I s i t not so?
There is no such t h i n g as a "bad c h i l d , " but there is such a t h i n g
as a good child doing bad things. T e l l him that and see i f his
attitude is different.
I S A B E L L E H E N D E R S O N S T E W A R T , Sigma ' 0 5 .
HOW T H E TEACHING OF LETTER-WRITING WAS
MADE INTERESTING
M y freshman class i n rhetoric, at the beginning of the year,
seemed hopelessly disinterested i n its work. I t was almost entirely
composed of boys, who, though good students i n their other classes,
could not see the practical side of rhetoric. W h e n we took up the
subject of letter-writing, early i n the year, I procured f r o m some of
the business men of the town, letters of application, and other busi-
ness letters. M y students examined these and chose the ones they
considered best, giving reasons f o r their choice. H a v i n g actual
1 4 0 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
letters to examine and compare, they became more interested in the
subject, and were anxious to correct their own mistakes when they
saw how much depended upon a carefully composed letter.
L E O T A K I R L I N , Tau ' 1 4 ,
Teacher of English, Marion, S. D.
A SYMPOSIUM I N ROMAN HISTORY
When we (my sophomores and I ) reached the beginning of the
Empire, I called a halt for a week's symposium. I have never had
a week i n which the children so enjoyed themselves. First, we drew
plans f o r a Roman house, w i t h atrium, peristyle, and furnishings.
Then we made a menu f o r a Roman dinner. (Great was the sur-
prise when the children learned that the Romans ate vegetable soup
and boiled onions!) On another day we learned what a Roman
wedding was like; and on still another we made a toga f r o m an extra
large sheet, and adorned the most Romanesque boy i n class w i t h
it.
I chose the dates of Augustus because Rome then was at her
highest degree of civilization. I used, as my inseparable companion,
Johnston's Private Life of the Romans. I t is a positive treasure
house—containing everything f r o m Roman architecture to hair orna-
ments and cosmetics. The illustrations are splendid.
M A R Y E . C H A S E , Gamma '09,
Teacher in Bozeman, Mont.
ORAL REPORTS ON SHORT STORIES
I have found that an effective way of interesting the pupils of
my class i n third year E n g l i s h is to have them present to the class
oral reports of short stories which they have read. I t is an ad-
vantage to the pupils to have these oral reports because they gain
self-confidence and make it their aim to give what they themselves
have found interesting. As the reports are not long, they are re-
quired to select essentials i n the story, thus enabling them to discern
between important and non-important things. They are required
to follow a given outline, dealing with author, characters, purpose,
plot, and style, which teaches them to analyze the short story form.
T h i s does not necessarily mean that no w r i t t e n reports are given,
as reports on books are w r i t t e n at stated intervals. I think, how-
ever, that there is more interest shown i n the oral reports, because
they find the task of w r i t i n g done away w i t h , and the entire class
enjoys listening to and commenting upon the work of each. A
final advantage is that they save the correcting of papers by the
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 141
teacher, and that corrections and suggestions can be made at once,
directly to the class.
J U N E L . W I M E R , Tau ' 1 5 .
Teacher of English, Elmore, Minn.
A MYTHOLOGY MATCH
Have you ever tried to teach a class the names and stories f o u n d
i n T h e Classic M y t h s by the aid of a match? W e choose perman-
ent sides, the boys against the girls when the numbers of each are
anywhere near the same, and then, just as i n a spelling match, I
ask each i n t u r n some question on the Myths that can be answered
i n one word. T h e r i v a l r y these matches engender is o f t e n the only
spur that w i l l make most boys and girls learn the a w f u l names of
Mythology.
B L A N C H E D U B O I S , Sigma ' 0 3 ,
Teacher of English, San Leandro, Cal.
A SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION W I T H T H E "MOVIES"
We have found that it pays to cooperate with the "movies." I t
was not hard to manage, and I think could be done in many towns.
Arrangements were made this year with a local moving picture
theater, to present various motion picture reproductions of the clas-
sics at the t i m e they were being studied i n class. Such films as
Enoch Arden, Maud Midler, Merchant of Venice, Queen Elizabeth
and The Winter's Tale were shown, and the surprising interest which
the pupils took i n these representations, more than repaid us f o r our
trouble in securing the pictures.
L E O T A K I R L I N , Tau ' 1 5 ,
Teacher of English, Marion, S. D.
L A T I N FOR BEGINNERS
Some practical suggestions! H o w we need them and how the
child we t r y to teach needs them! T h i s is one suggestion which a
successful teacher of beginning Latin gave me: " T e l l the child
exactly how and exactly what you want him to study." I have found
that it is well to have him write the instructions f o r the preparation
of advance work. I f the next lesson consists of L a t i n sentences to
be translated, the directions might read thus:
Study i n every sentence
A. Noun
1. Gender
2. N o m . Gen. and Dat. forms
3. Case and reason
142 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
B. Verb
1. Tense
2. Synopsis
How shall we know whether the child does this or not? T h i s
scheme w i t h me has worked f a i r l y w e l l . The child brings to class a
statement which reads " I have (or I have not) f a i t h f u l l y prepared
my lesson according to directions," giving the date and signing his
name. T h e teacher then has these statements f o r reference and help,
to keep or to send home to the parents, as she w i l l .
I f the lesson contains a vocabulary, give as part of the assignment
this: Test yourself by w r i t i n g on the vocabulary before you come
to class. Then after correcting your paper, write the words or
principal parts which you did not know, until you are familiar with
them.
I like to have the child grade himself on his power of concentra-
tion. H e enjoys the "game" of seeing how many hundreds he can
get for concentration during translation or correction of board work.
O f t e n I ask him to mark on a piece o f paper 1 0 0 % , i f he has
f o l l o w e d the discussion of a sentence attentively. I t is surprising to
f i n d out how attentive some o r d i n a r i l y unattentive pupils can be,
when they really try, and when there is some end, other than a
knowledge of Latin, in view.
R u n v D A V I S , Chi ' 1 4 ,
Teacher in Gloversville, N. Y.
SOME POEMS FOR T H E HISTORY CLASS
When you are teaching Henry I in English history, be sure to
read aloud Rossetti's The White Ship. Y o u may rest assured that
your boys and girls w i l l never forget Henry I i f they know him
through that poem as the k i n g "who never smiled again."
I t is a little out of one's way, I grant, to study much about James I
of Scotland, the king, who when a boy was captured on his way to
France, and taken to England in those stormy times of Lancaster
and York. But it is worth the deviation in order that you may read
that other poem of Rossetti's The King's Tragedy, and the shud-
ders which Kate Barlass' brave but horrible act w i l l cause, w i l l
make many things of that difficult period more real and lasting to
your class.
I n this way read Longfellow's "Emma and Eigenhard" from
The Tales of the Wayside Inn when you are studying Charle-
magne, and "Torquemada" f r o m the same collection when you are
in the horrors of the Inquisition.
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
EDITORIALS
T H E TEACHERS' TO DRAGMA
I N a number such as this where the practical article rubs shoulders
with the idealistic, and where both are one in purpose, aim, and
spirit, it would be superfluous to write editorially upon the trials
or the compensation or the ideals of the teacher. Therefore, the
Editor is simply saying a most sincere "Thank you" to those who
have made this February number. Several articles came unsolicited
—a fact which, by the interest i t proved, delighted the hearts o f
the somewhat anxious Editorial Board. T r u t h to tell, we were
not without misgivings when we entered upon the task of gathering
material which should be o f real, practical help and interest to the
A l p h a O Teachers. But we had announced that such was to be the
nature of the February number, and there was no turning back.
I t is however an error to say that the gathering of the material
contained i n these pages was a task. I n spite of Christmas holidays,
and the grip, the E d i t o r met w i t h not one refusal, and she is j u s t
plain grateful to everyone who helped.
TT H E MAY NUMHER
H E M a y number w i l l be a Practical Social Service number.
We advisedly say "practical," f o r we want this number to
deal w i t h those phases of social service i n which we can a l l have a
part, rather than with the work of City Settlements and Organized
Charity. T h i s does not f o r one moment mean that we as A l p h a
O's are not interested in the larger work of organized social service,
or that we w i l l not welcome articles dealing with that work. I t
simply means that f o r the May number we especially want sugges-
tions f o r practical, every day work which we as mothers or teachers,
or girls-at-home can do to make our communities better places in
which to live. Practical Social Sen-ice has to do w i t h cleaner
streets, more sanitary buildings, a more efficient quarantine law,
better schools, and a more helpful relation between the parent
and the teacher, church work, and w o r k to make the Sunday-
school more alive, a village campaign against the spread of tubercu-
losis, the founding of helpful town or village clubs or other organiza-
tions—in short i t has to do with the furtherance of any plan to make
Our Town a better, cleaner place in which to live, Our Church a
wide-awake church with a gospel of today, Our Boys and Girls bet-
ter citizens. For this number we want accounts of experiences, suc-
cessful or unsuccessful. We should like to receive f r o m the active
144 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
chapters longer accounts of their work than were given in the Sep-
tember number. These accounts may be embodied in the Chapter
Letters or written separately.
Material for this number must be i n the Editor's hands by
April 10 at the latest. She will gladly answer questions concerning
proposed articles, and she does hope that you're all going to help.
THOMAS ARNOLD
"As one lamp lights another, nor grows less,
B So nobleness enkindleth nobleness."
E N E A T H the altar of Rugby Chapel in England there lies
the least that is left upon this earth of a great man. Elected
to the principalship of Rugby School in 1827, Thomas Arnold, by
the influence of his personality and the grandeur of his example,
raised the character of Rugby during the fifteen years of his labor
there, until it was known throughout England and even upon the
Continent as "an institution which fostered boys of noble character
withifl its walls." He was, many believe, the greatest teacher of the
nineteenth century; for it is a significant and an inspiring fact,
that although he was a scholar of great ability, and a writer of
renown upon theological subjects, yet his fame as a teacher far
eclipses that of any other achievement. He was no theorist; he
met problems as they presented themselves to him with the weapons
which he had at hand. To be just, honest, and truthful he ever
held to be his first aim. With all this there were intense sympathy
with his fellows, the most generous friendship, the most expansive
benevolence.
In Rugby, indeed in England, his influence still lives. To the
boys of the present his character is still cited as a noble example
of that which a Rugby boy should strive to attain. Prospective
students read of him in that classic of school life, Hughes' Tom
Brown's School Days, which will always be a more fitting and last-
ing memorial than that in Rugby Chapel.
He died suddenly at Rugby in 1842. The effect of his death
upon Tom Brown, and the thoughts to which it gave rise, Hughes
has described in the above-mentioned book. Fifteen years later
his own son, Matthew Arnold, returning to Rugby one November
evening, wrote thus of him in the poem Rugby Chapel.
"O strong soul, by what shore
Tarriest thou now? For that force,
Surely, has not been left vain.!
Somewhere, surely, afar,
In the sounding labour-house vast
Of Being, is practiced that strength,
Zealous, beneficent, firm!"
TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 145
T H E POEMS OF A GREAT TEACHER
T H E R E has been recently published by Houghton, Mifflin and
Co. of Boston the poems of Alice Freeman Palmer—she who
was president of Wellesley College at the age of twenty-six, who by
the end of the first week of the college year knew every one of her
girls by name, and whose great genius lay in finding the best in every
girl. The poems, like the Life published in 1908, are edited by
her husband, Prof. George H . Palmer, and the volume is called
A Marriage Cycle.
We quote from it one short poem. I t is so typical of what its
author must have been.
OPPORTUNITY MISSED
I meant to be so brave and strong,
And change your burden into song;
liut yet—but yet—you went away
With all unsaid I longed to say!
WO U R N A T I O N A L S T A N D I N G
H A T constitutes the national standing of a fraternity? We
were discussing this subject not long since in our local
Panhellenic. One of our Pi Phi's was inclined to believe that the
strength of a fraternity's national standing lay i n the number and
strength of its alumna? organizations; and the other, remembering
Pi Phi's own splendid work in the Tennessee mountains, said that
definite service to the world meant efficiency of national standing.
A Theta insisted that such standing was due to the placing of chap-
ters only in colleges and universities of highest grade. A girl just
out of college declared that it depended upon the number of chap-
ters, and though we "old graduates" all pounced upon her, we
tried in vain to convince her that she was wrong.
One of our own girls had not vouchsafed an opinion, and we
were waiting for her. I t was rather a long time before she spoke.
" I think you're all rather straining at gnats," she said at last. " I
don't believe national standing rests on any of those things. I
think it's nearer home than that. To tell the truth I believe it
rests just on individual responsibility. I believe the members of our
active chapters hold it in their power to make our national standing
strong or weak. Three careless girls in each chapter, especially i f
they are given positions of responsibility, as so often unfortunately
happens, can lower our standing nationally. Carelessness in dress
0 r behavior, lack of responsibility in the running of a chapter house,
laxity in the matter of grades—all of these things hurt national
standing, because they hurt the reputation of the respective chapters,
146 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA 0 MICRON PI
and all of them are up to the individual. I f chapters will choose as
officers, girls who will not be on time in the performance of their
duties as officers, girls who allow days to go by before an important
letter is answered, or a report sent, girls who do not dare to stand
firm as to the election of new members, and as to the grades and
bearing of those already within the chapter,—why we might as well
give up the ideal of a fine national standing, for we alumna? can't
achieve it. We're just retainers."
This is the opinion of one of our own girls. The Editor gives
it to all of you.
A N INVITATION FROM JACKSONVILLE
W E received recently the following from the secretary of
the Jacksonville Panhellenic Association:
The Jacksonville (Florida) Panhellenic Association extends a
cordial invitation to all fraternity women visiting in Jacksonville
to attend its meetings, which are held the first Monday of every
month at three o'clock in the parlors of the Seminole Hotel.
Signed,
W I N I F R E D S M I T H , Secretary.
T H E CHAPTER LETTER AND ITS EDITOR
I N the recent issues of so many of the fraternity magazines,
those of the men as well as those of the women, have occurred
so many comments and criticisms of the Chapter Letter, that To
D R A G M A has decided to join the wide-spread campaign in favor of,
on the one hand, the explicit carrying out of instructions, and, on
the other, the honest attempt to make the quarterly chapter letter
of greater originality and interest.
So far as carrying out of instructions is concerned, it seems as
though there were little excuse for the respective chapter letter
editors of T o D R A G M A . Early in the fall definite typewritten in-
structions were sent to active and alumnae chapters alike. These
gave the exact date upon which the letter should leave the chapter,
the person to whom it should be sent, the kind of paper upon which
it should be written, and the form it should follow in its composi-
tion. And yet in spite of the most explicit directions, it has been
necessary to warn by post card a good half dozen of the chapter
editors that they were late,—in one case, sad to state, two weeks
and more late.
The following clipping which we take from The Aglaia of Phi
Mu explains the method used by Kappa Kappa Gamma in criticis-
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA 0MICRON PI 147
ing chapter letters which do not live up to the instructions. Sigma
Kappa and Kappa Alpha Theta have a mutual system of foot notes
in which are fully explained the changes made by the editor before
the letter was printable.
The June issue of The Trident is in a way an anniversary number, for with
it Miss Louise Fitch closes ten years of service as editor. There is a most in-
teresting account of the growth of the magazine during the period of her stew-
ardship, and we unite with the rest of the Greek world in congratulating Miss
Fitch on the abundant fruit of her toils. And from the bottom of our hearts
we envy any editor who can write as follows:
The especial gratitude of the Editor is tendered to the active Marshals who
have enabled her to say that not once in these ten years of forty Tridents has
an active letter—or requested substitute communication—been missing from any
Trident!
At the convention held this summer Miss Fitch was honored with the highest
office in the fraternity, that of Grand President. A l l good luck to her in her
new work.
The following clipping from The Key is also of interest to one of editorial
bent, and The Aglaia editor expects in the next issue to follow the example of
her Kappa sister and do a little classifying of her own. This quotation, then,
is intended as a friendly warning of what will be:
I n leisure moments, will the chapter correspondents, and any Kappa who is
likely to be stung by the literary bee and send us a contribution, reread the
rules for chapter correspondents which were in the February Key, and which
we paid the printer good money to "set up"? We asked you to use official
paper. You didn't—Iota, Pi, Delta, Psi, Beta Phi, Beta Chi.
We asked for typewritten letters. You didn't—Iota, Beta Nu, Theta, Sigma,
Eta.
We asked for double-spaced typewriting. You didn't—Beta Sigma, Lambda
Beta Omicron.
We asked you to mail your letter a week before the first of April. You
didn't—Beta Upsilon, Beta Chi, X i , Beta Zeta, Beta Omega, Beta Omicron,
Beta, Phi, Beta E t a .
We asked you not to use special delivery stamps. You used them—Beta
Mu, Gamma Rho.
A great many of you used "very," a few of you used "quite." but for this
we thank you—nobody said "eats"!
I f the chapter letter editors read the report of the Editors'
Congress in the November number of To D R A G M A , they were made
aware of the fact that at that Congress certain standards in regard
to the composition of chapter letters were made universal among
the editors of the respective Panhellenic journals. Among these
were the discouragement of the word "frat" for "fraternity," the
abolishment of the word "sorority" and the substitution in all cases
°f "fraternity," the spelling of "Panhellenic" as one word as here
given, the expulsion of the word "school" when used in place of
college" or "university," and the discouragement of slang and
other careless forms of expression.
148 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
Many of the criticisms given in the above mentioned publications
have to do with the disregard of these injunctions in the chapter
letters. I n this number we have decided to print no criticisms, not
because, please note, that there were no points worthy of criticism,
(although these letters are exceptionally good) but because "fore-
warned is forearmed." I n the May number, we shall keep careful
notes as to the time of arrival, and condition at arrival of each
chapter letter, and shall report the same in the May number. Please
be careful. Note the heading of your letter in To D R A G M A , and
use the same form in beginning the next. For instance, why say as
did three of the letters in this number, " Chapter of Alpha
Omicron Pi," when by looking at To D R A G M A , you can readily see
that the desired and required form is " , University of
"? That means the Editor's blue pencil must strike out
your unnecessary words and substitute the required form.
Oh, i f you would just be on time, and follow the directions given
you, we should indeed feel as though the first half of our campaign
had been successful!
And now for the last half? Is the chapter letter of interest to
those outside the chapter? Is it more or less universally stereotyped
in form and substance? Do the chapter editors to a man, as one of
the men's magazines states, speak of new ambitions with the birth
of the New Year, of the chapter's joy over "the best pledges on
the campus," of the honors won by Brothers , and
and ? In short, is originality entirely lacking from the
chapter letter, and are the most interesting things left out? We
are not answering these questions, but we are calling the attention
of our chapter editors to the fact that they are being asked in the
majority of fraternity publications. Please answer them to your
own satisfaction before you begin your next chapter letter.
I n a recent number of one of the best of the fraternity journals
it was stated that the alumnae were in general more interested in
house and campus improvements and changes, in the reception of a
new picture or a change in wall paper than they were in the recitation
of names and honors. Personally, we should not want the names
and honors omitted, but, like the author quoted, we should welcome
accounts of new buildings, notices of visiting alumna?, announcements
of present or future plans, and descriptions of the most interesting
chapter meetings.
As to the Chapter Editor herself and her qualifications, we can
do no better than to quote the following, clipped from The Crescent
of Gamma Phi Beta, and borrowed from Kappa Alpha Theta.
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 149
Now, even if the chapter is willing, from a mistaken idea of kindness, to
allow its work to suffer by electing the misfit girl to office, is it right to put
upon the national officers the additional task of transacting business with the
chapter through such an inefficient assistant?
* **
"We've elected Mary, chapter editor, for next year," so wrote a retiring
chapter president to our editor, " I know she isn't very well adapted to the
position but she is such a dear, we couldn't leave, seeing her the only Senior
without an office. I wanted you to know what a fine girl Mary is, so if her
copy isn't always up to the mark, you'll remember it is the work of the dearest
girl in chapter."
One morning as I watched the editor trying to bring a semblance of clear-
ness and meaning into the ten pages of rambling words this Mary submitted
as a chapter letter, I wondered with how many strokes of the blue pencil the
editor thought of those pages as "the work of the dearest girl in chap-
ter." My patience and the editor's aren't of the same length ! And what of
the impression of chapter those letters would give the rest of the fra-
ternity, who do not know they are "the work of the dearest girl in
chapter"? But the long-suffering editor! She is trusted to stand between the
fraternity getting a false impression of chapter from anything printed in
the Journal.
Efficiency isn't a matter of mere forms and methods—true efficiency is based
upon higher mental qualities. For fraternity efficiency we need to be friendly-
minded. Let us cultivate faith, optimism, tact, patience, tolerance, courtesy,
courage, enthusiasm, will power, and clear convictions as the foundation of our
efficiency superstructure.
150 TO PRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
ACTIVE CHAPTER LETTERS
ALPHA, BARNARD COLLEGE
(Inactive)
PI, H. S O P H I E X E W C O M B M E M O R I A L C O L L E G E
Heard, Hazelle, '16 Garland, Rietta, '17
Bres, Sara, '16 Hill, Jean, '17
Gillcau, Grace D., '16 Madison, Lessie, '17
Hall, Clara W., '16 O'Niell, Kathleen, '17
O'Niell, Erin, '16 Raymond, Mary '17
Renshaw, Solidelle F-, '16 Renshaw, Mildred '17
Snyder, Jane C , '16 Samner, Mary C., 17
Fortier, Lillian, '17 Chalaron, Magda, '18
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
President Student Body—Minna V. Koch, non
President Senior Class—Solidelle F . Renshaw, A O I I
President Junior Class—Lulie Westfeldt, IT B 4>
President Sophomore Class—Katharine CafTery, TI B #
Chairman Student Council—Jane C . Snyder, A O I I
President Y . W. C. A.—Grace D. Gilleau, A O I I
President Latin Club—Laura Discon, non
President Cercle Franqais—Adeline du Bernard, I I B *
President Debating Club—Adele Marx, non
President Dramatic Club—Jeannette Pardonner, I I B *
President N . A. A.—Eudora White, I I B 4>
School of Music Representative—Margaret Lowry, A A IT
School of Art Representative—Ethel C . Crumb, non
School of Household Economy Representative—Sara Bres, A O II
Chairman Peace Polity Club—Jane C . Snyder, A O I I
Editor-in-chief Arcade—Martha B. Salm, non
Business Manager Arcade—Rietta G . Garland, A O I I
Newcomb Editor Tulane Weekly— Regina Janvier, TT B *
Newcomb Editor Jambalaya—Jane Cordill Snyder, A 0 I I
Newcomb Business Manager Jambalaya—Erin O'Niell, A 0 I I
It seems hard to realize that already the Christmas holidays have
arrived, for we feel as i f we had but just gotten back to college.
Vet we have done a great many tilings in the short spare of three
months. Alpha O feels as i f "it had done itself proud" this year,
for it has representatives on practically every organization at New-
comb. Besides the major offices we have, the list of which has
been given above, there are four of us from the fraternity on stu-
dent council, three of us on executive council, five holding class
offices, one holding an office in student body, another in debating
club, two in Cercle Francais, three on The Arcade Board, two on the
Jambalaya, and two on The Tulane Weekly. The Arcade is the
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 151
official quarterly magazine of Newcomb, edited and supported by
the students and alumna?; the name, The Tulane Weekly, tells you
what that paper is. I t is edited and supported by the students of
Tulane University and on its staff are representatives from the
different departments of the university; the Jambalaya is the uni-
versity annual, and its board consists of an editor from Tulane and
one from Newcomb, a business manager from Tulane and a busi-
ness manager from Newcomb, an art editor from Newcomb A r t
School, and an assistant business manager and sub-editors from all
the different departments.
Our college schedule for yearly events has been greatly disturbed
by the diphtheria scare which we had at the beginning of the
month. A number of students and many of the faculty from both
Tulane and Newcomb were declared by the doctors of the city
board of health to be "carriers," and were sent home for several
days. Only three or four cases of actual diphtheria were found,
and even those subjects were well enough to stand on their front
steps to converse and argue with the men who were tacking up the
signs on their houses. Nevertheless, the Dramatic Club play had to
be postponed until after Christmas, and both Solidelle Renshaw
and Mary Sumner, who were our representatives in the cast, are
bemoaning the fates of their costumes which were in our rooms and
which seem to have gotten confused with the stack of middy blouses,
gym shoes, and old costumes, which nobody wants to claim, behind
the screen in the second room. The public debate for the Nixon
medal, a yearly event, has also been postponed until the new year,
and in consequence, Rietta Carland is spending her holidays de-
claiming in front of a mirror, "Madam chairman, Honorable Judges,
ladies and gentlemen, etc." When the debate comes off, however,
we shall be justly proud of Rietta for having made the team, whether
she wins the medal or not. The basketball teams have not yet been
chosen, but there are several of us who have great expectations in
that line.
There has been very little rushing done this year by the frater-
nities; the only parties which we in A O I I have given have been
for ourselves, the most elaborate of which took place on the eighth
°f December. We decided that it was wiser to spend money on
those who needed it than on the Freshmen. I f these latter, because
of our policy, prefer to join other fraternities, then they are not
Hie girls whom we want or who would uphold A O I I standards.
Every girl in the chapter has a particular orphan, from the Seventh
Street Home, in whom she is especially interested and to whom she
152 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA 0 MIC RON PI
is a big sister. These children we go to see twice a month, as often
as the rules of the Asylum permit, and we enjoy playing games
with them and the rest of the children in the Home even more than
they enjoy playing themselves.
I t had been our plan this Christmas to give the children a tree
on the Tuesday before we left college; but as it was impossible for
us to have the entire asylum ourselves, we asked the other fraterni-
ties whether they were willing to go in with us to help us. K K T ,
X f l , $ M, and A A I I were delighted to do so. The other frater-
nities were prevented from joining our party because of other chari-
table work they had on their hands. We had planned a delightful
entertainment for the children, but at the last minute we were
notified that the Home was quarantined because of scarlatina, and
our affair could not take place. We sent everything up to them,
but that did not make up for our disappointment and the children's.
The holidays have brought back many of our alumna; to us and
even though we in New Orleans are scattered over all parts of the
city, our holidays are made that much brighter because our sisters
are here.
Pi wishes every active and alumna member of Alpha Omicron Pi
all success and happiness for the new year.
S O L I D E L L E F . R E N S H A W , '16, Chapter Editor.
NU, N E W Y O R K U N I V E R S I T Y
Elizabeth Jane Monroe, ' i 6 Mary Bradford Peaks, '17
All son Du Bois Murphy Florence G. Haag, '17
Cecile Iselin, '16 Dorothy Kenyon, '17
Helen M. Williams, '16
The most interesting item of news which I have to report was the
marriage on November 5th of Alison Du Bois to Deacon Murphy
at Montclair, N . J. Alison spent her honeymoon hunting in the
Adirondacks and is now at home at 40 East 49th Street. She talks
of returning to college next year. Mr. Murphy, who has just re-
tired as deputy assistant district attorney, has formed a partnership
with Mr. W. H . L . Edwards and will practice law at 26 Liberty
Street.
New York University Law School had forty women in line in
the great Suffrage parade just before election. Our chapter was
well represented in that group and elsewhere in the parade.
Though we have given four rush teas this f a l l we have not yet
finally decided upon our initiates. Since we live all over the city
and come for our university work at different hours, i t is very hard
for us all to get together at any one time—but that very difficulty
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 153
makes us appreciate all the more the chapter room which alone makes
sociability possible. We have also given a tea i n honor of the Grand
Secretary, an alumna; dinner, a Founders' Day dinner, and a New
Year party. And those of us who were wise enough to accept
Cecile's invitation one Sunday afternoon, had most delicious tea and
sandwiches and a glorious view of the Hudson at Sunset.
Nu wishes you all a happy 1916.
M A R Y B . P E A K S , Chapter Editor.
A L U M N A NEWS
Bertha Rembaugh has recently given a lecture on the "Legal Status of
Women" in two of the city schools as a part of one of the free lecture courses
of the Board of Education. She has also been chairman of the program com-
mittee of the new Women's City Club of New York.
The Court of Appeals was startled on its opening day this fall by hearing
arguments from two women attorneys (Alice Dillingham and Bertha Rem-
baugh) in one afternoon.
Elizabeth Smart and Helen Vollmer were admitted to the bar in December
OMICRON, UNIVERSITY O F T E N N E S S E E
Elizabeth Ayres, Spec. Mary D. Houston, '18
Wista Braly, '17 Mary Annie Landy, '16
Margaret Conover, '16 Dorothy Nolan, '16
Ellen Converse, '16 Ruth Tarpley, Spec.
Aubry Faulkener, '16 Edith Verran, '17
Pauline Hobson, '16
Right now while we are so very, very happy, we must write to
all of our sisters in A O I I that they may share our joy. We an-
nounce as pledges, Lida Moore, of Knoxville, Tennessee; Sadie
Ramsey, of Somerville, Tennessee; Elizabeth Kennedy, of Knox-
ville, Tennessee; Kathleen Vaughan, of Winchester, Tennessee;
Sue Bryant, of Lewisburg, Tennessee; Marian Swain, of Lemon
City, Florida, and Lynn McNutt, of Knoxville, Tennessee. We
are surely proud of that list, and know they will make dear, loyal
sisters of Alpha 0 . Saturday after we pledged them, we gave a
party in their honor, and in honor of our mothers and patronesses.
We gave only five rushing parties this year, since Panhellenic
has passed a rule limiting the number of entertainments, but they
were all very enjoyable. One of the most novel ones was the
Picnic in the woods we gave one night. Sitting around the huge
bon-fire, eating, and making merry generally made that evening
surely a success. Mr. and Mrs. John Grof (she was only a short
while ago Alice Hayes) were our chaperones, and lovely chaperones
they were. We are so happy to have Alice with us again,—especially
154 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
every Monday, when she comes to fraternity meeting. But our
parties were not our most effective means of gaining Freshmen,
we think. We tried more personal rushing this year, and feel that
our list of pledges shows the result.
We enjoyed reading in To D R A G M A of our new chapters, and wish
them to know that we are prouder than ever of them. Upsilon's
home is beautiful, and makes us quite envious, but nevertheless,
we do love our fraternity room. We've improved it a great deal
this year, and it is very attractive. You see, we've been working.
We haven't let Freshmen occupy our minds to the extent that
we have entirely forgotten our fraternity ideals, but have con-
tinued our settlement work, despite excitement. Several of us
have a class once a week. We teach domestic science in its several
branches, besides having story telling and games for the younger
children. Some of the university boys have other classes. We do
not wish to take all the honor to ourselves in this work, for girls
from other fraternities and the nonfraternity girls have joined us.
This draws us all closer together, and makes us appreciate our
opportunities and one another more.
Has this letter been very disconnected and flighty? I f so, that
is the way our thoughts are, for all we can think about is our pledges
and how happy we are. Our wish for all our chapters is that they
may be just as successful as we.
Omicron sends you all greetings, love, and wishes for a happy
New Year!
M A R Y D . H O U S T O N , Chapter Editor.
ALUMNiE NEWS
BIRTHS
Born on October 30, 1915, to Mr. and Mrs. Albert S. Feet (Ailcy K y l e ) , a
daughter, Delia Kyle Peet.
Born, December 18, 1915, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Milton Jarnigan
(Dorothy Greve, '05).
GENERAL
The East Tennessee girls have had two glimpses of Felicia Metcalfe this
winter, one at Thanksgiving when she visited in Chattanooga, and one during
the Christmas holidays when she was the guest of her aunt in Knoxville.
Kathryn Wilkey went, the middle of December, for a visit with her sister in
Florida.
Harriet Caldwell, '07, is spending the winter months in Richmond, Virginia.
Mrs. W. E . Bickley (Lucretia Jordan) opened her hospitable home in No-
vember, for a tea honoring Mrs. John Graf (Alice Hayes), whose return 3S a
matron to Knoxville has been the occasion of much entertaining. Laura Swift
Mayo was another Alpha O who entertained for Alice, giving a large
auction bridge for her.
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 155
Mary Queen Powell, after a prolonged stay in New York, is having a charm-
ing visit with Mrs. King (Marjorie Pease, '12) in Buffalo.
Lillian Wells returned to St. Louis for a holiday visit.
Harriet Williams was one of the many Tennessee alumna who journeyed to
Nashville for the Tennessee-Vanderbilt game. Omicron girls had a special in-
terest in the contest this year, as Mary Annie Landy was one of the sponsors
for the State University's team.
Harriet Greve was the holiday guest of the Milton Jarnigans at the Univer-
sity of Georgia.
KAPPA, RANDOLPH-MACON WOMAN'S COLLEGE
Virginia Allen, '16 Helen E . Hardy, '17
Margaret Atkinson, '16 Fannie Butterfield, '17
Lucy Somerville, '16 Virginia Strother, '17
Rebecca Lamar, '16 Louise Swift, '17
Susie Mann, '16 Frances Hardy, '18
Lucile Marsalis, '16 Bernie Palfrey, '18
Clara M. Smith, '17 Helen Scott, '18
Augusta Stacy, '17 Frances Hamilton, '18
Annie Earle Reid, '17 Margaret Thomas, '18
Kappa feels very much like saying "Merry Christmas" to her sis-
ters, but that will be rather out of date when our February To
D R A G M A comes. I t seems better to say "Good luck to you on your
mid-year examinations.'"
We Kappa's have been very busy this year—an outsider called us
"bones" just the other day—and yet there seems to be little to tell
about in a letter. The last few days before the Christmas holidays
were f u l l of the hurry and excitement of going home, but every girl
felt obliged to do her best with class work, and not leave everything
to be "crammed" after getting back.
A few weeks ago we voted on "statistics," and college was all ex-
citement until the results were published. Virginia Allen was voted
the most prominent, and Susie Mann the best all-round girl in col-
lege.
Lucy Somerville went to Washington a week before the Christmas
holidays, as delegate to the National Suffrage Convention. We have
felt her absence so much that we cannot help wondering how Kappa
will get along next year with all her '10's gone.
Only three of our girls are to be in college during the holidays
and they will visit a part of the time. They are taking care of the
ntshees we left behind. As soon as classes were over the day the
holidays began, we had most of the rushees at the house for a few
minutes before everybody hurried to the train. But during Christ-
mas the fraternity houses are home to everybody, Freshmen and all,
and there is really little thought of rushing.
156 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
We hate to think of "after Christmas." The two weeks of home
and vacation will soon be over, and then come two weeks of solid
work, followed by examinations. Kappa sends love to all Alpha O's
and for those who have mid-year examinations, she adds a hearty
"Good luck to you."
Best wishes for a glorious 1916—and don't let us forget that it's
leap year!
H E L E N H A R D Y , Chapter Editor.
ZETA, UNIVERSITY O F NEBRASKA
Edna Froyd, '16 Roma Rush, '18
Helen Wehrli, '16 Lillian Dickman, '18
Gladys Dominy, '16 Janet Adams, '18
Irma Hauptman, '16 Doris Deyo, '18
Ethel Chace, ' i 6 Verna Kean, '18
Doris Scroggins, '17 Edna Hathway, '18
lieulah Rush, '17 Orena Olsen, '18
Helen Ayres, '18
What a great many things have happened since last you heard
from us! We have had mid-semester examinations, and Thanks-
giving appropriately following them. Then there was the one short
month until Christmas vacation, brimful of work and good times.
While our work is more important the frolics are more interesting
to hear about. The night of the Cornhusker Banquet, the Girls'
Club had a costume party at Memorial Hall. The costumes were of
all sorts and descriptions, from "The Gold Dust Twins" to dignified
Mr. and Mrs. Washington. Several groups gave stunts later in the
evening. The Kappa's had a convicts' chain dance, the Pi Phi's gave
a mock wedding, the Delta Gamma's presented a typical "movie"
audience, and several other equally interesting performances by
other groups were given. Our girls dressed as country boys and girls,
and our stunt was a square dance. Our audience seemed to enjoy
it quite as much as we did.
Monday night before Christmas vacation we had our annual
Christmas party at the house. The alumna? brought the best things
to eat, and the Freshmen contributed a side-splitting stunt as their
share in the party. Santa Claus—who had, by the way, very small
hands and a lady-like voice—distributed the gorgeous ten cent gifts
from the tree. Of course we each came in for our share of good-
natured teasing, but what would the Christmas party be without it?
We took the dolls, the engagement rings, and the funny pop-eyed
cotton dogs to the Orthopedic Hospital with us Thursday night,
when we gave Mrs. Gaynor's "The House That Jack Built" Mother
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 157
Goose, Little Bo-Peep, Little Boy Blue, Old King Cole, the Queen
of Hearts, Jack Spratt and his wife, and all of the others were there.
The little folks seemed to enjoy it, and it gave us a great deal of
pleasure, too.
The next day our big family began to break up, and one by one,
the girls waved good-bye, laden with suitcases and grips, and light-
hearted and happy. Christmas vacation had come!
A Happy New Year to all of our sisters.
E D N A M . H A T H W A Y , Chapter Editor.
ALUMNAE NEWS
MARRIAGES
Carrie Morna Coman and Herbert McPheeley Potter, Sigma Chi, were mar-
ried at Sunny View Farm, Portland, Michigan, December 21. They will make
their home at Regina, Canada.
BIRTHS
Bom to Mr. and Mrs. William Logan (Maude Pierce), November 2, a boy,
William Pierce Logan.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Ben Harrison (Estelle Stevens), December 6, a son,
Daniel Stevens Harrison.
Born to D r . and Mrs. C . A. Reynolds (Pauline Burkitt), December 17, a
daughter, Pauline Clarissa Reynolds.
GENERAL
Miss Melvina Waters, '14, who is teaching in the Norfolk Public Schools,
spent the Thanksgiving Recess with Mrs. H . J . Shultz and Miss Ethel Chace
at Stanton.
Mrs. August Schoell (Grace Trigg) of Edgemore, Delaware, visited /or a
month this fall with her parents in Lincoln. Her sister, Mrs. Phil Easterday
entertained at a tea for her on the afternoon of November 7, a number of
Alpha O alumna: being present.
Mrs. Sidney Mumann, '05, (Allene McEachron) of Tobias, Neb., spent a
few days in Lincoln the first week of November.
Grace Gannon, '12, who is teaching in the Syracuse High School was in
Lincoln for the week-end the first of November, and again for the Thanks-
giving Recess.
Edna Waite of McCork is spending this winter at the State Normal School
at Wayne, Neb. She expects to finish the Teacher's Course in June. She is
specializing in primary work.
Mrs. Charles Ritchie ( L i l a Le Gore) of McCook, visited with her parents
'n Lincoln early in October. While here she assisted her mother, Mrs. Le
Gore, who was entertaining at a series of parties.
Gizella Birkner, '14, who is teaching in the high school at Harvard, Neb.,
has been visiting at home during the Thanksgiving vacation.
Mrs. Floyd Rawlings is now living in her bungalow, recently completed,
*t 2001 Sewell Street.
Eunice Bauman Stuefer of Cleveland, Ohio, and her small son, Otto, J r . ,
visited during the month of November with her mother Mrs. Bauman at West
Point, Neb.
158 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
Winifred Waters, 'io, is teaching English and Latin in the high school at
Lyons, Neb.
Mrs. Frederick Beaumont visited at the home of Mrs. Burnham of Nor-
folk for a few days at Thanksgiving time.
Breta Diehl, '13, of Stratton, visited for a number of days with Alpha
O sisters in Lincoln and Omaha, the first of November.
Mrs. Ralph Weissmiller, '12, (Janet Ramey) has moved from Bruning, Neb.,
to Kansas City, Missouri.
Miss Martha Walton is visiting in Lincoln the guest of Miss Helen and
Elsie Fitzgerald.
SIGMA, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Alice de Veuve, '15 Gertrude Schiels, '17
Ruth Brownlie, '16 Helen Slaughter, '17
Frances Corlett, '16 Marie Butler, '18
Elizabeth Elliot, '16 Ella Crawford, '18
Vira Georgeson, '16 Christine Finnell, '18
Kathleen Mains, '16 Bernice Hubbard, '18
May Preuss, '16 Marguerite Neely, '18
Marion Bachman, '17 Elsa Oberdeener, '18
Helen Clowes, '17 Thelma Donovan, '19
Gladys Goeggel, '17 Margaret Forsyth, '19
Kathryn Hubbard, '17 Lucile Graham, '19
Ethel Moroney, '17 Helen Schiels, '19
Rosalinda Olcese, '17 Dorothy Weeks, '19
Now that Christmas and the Old Year are well behind us and a
promising new semester right ahead, we are all working mightily to
bring new members into Sigma chapter—girls who seem to us to in-
carnate those qualities which love embraces as a whole—the one
quality f o r which our founders hoped each A O I I might stand no
matter what the type might be. Things do look favorable with our
seven Freshmen of last semester taking an active interest, to each older
girl's delight. We have a new system at present. Bids are written
and sent out a week after registration day. Even last semester we
tried new rushing tactics on our own score. Once a week we held
informal teas after classes. The plan worked splendidly, for all the
stiff constraint of rushing was done away with, allowing in its place
natural, happy friendships.
We gave our fair on November 14th, the money going to the Sigma
house fund. Booths were arranged around the room with articles of
all sorts and sizes. We took in several hundred dollars, and so felt,
quite repaid for the weeks before spent in needlework.
On December 12th we celebrated Founders' Day somewhat dif-
ferently from former occasions. We trimmed a plump, green, fra-
grant tree with gifts for each one of the sisters—each girl buying
one present and giving it to a committee. When the afternoon's fun
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 159
was over, we gave the toys to some poor little kiddies, who we hope
had as much f u n out of them as we.
I don't want to say "to be continued" but in a short time Sigma
can tell you of the results of our new rushing season.
G L A D Y S G O E G G E L , (For the chapter.)
BIRTHS
Born in October, to Mr. and Mrs. John Whelan (Viola Ahlers), a daughter.
Born, December 27, to Mr. and Mrs. George Harlowe (Wynn Meredith),
a son, Meredith Harlowe.
THETA, D E PAUW UNIVERSITY
Margaret Douthitt, '10 Bernice Wilhelm '19
Florence Foster, '16 Maurine York, '19
Clara Dilts, 'l6 Ruth Little, '19
Frances Kelly, '17 Avonelle Carter, '19
Georgia Gilkey, '17 Agnes Lakin, '19
Edna McClure, '17 Ethel Pike, '19
Beatrice Woodward, '17 Melva Hendrix, '19
Ann White, '18 Dorothy Dunn, '19
Mary Kibele, '18 Vev VUfc Hosman, '19
Luella Worthley, '18 Gertrude Jayne, '19
Esther Morris, '18 Marie Hedde, '19
Marguerite Bennett, '18 Wilhelmina Hedde, '19
Jessie Jones, '18 Mary Bicknell, '19
Esther Canady, '18 Jessie Bicknell, '19
Merle Huffman, '18 Luello Driscol, '19
Ruth Layne, '18, pledge.
Dear Sisters in A O I I :
The merriest of Christmas greetings to you a l l ! Several of us
have already entered upon our most happy vacation. Others who are
not quite so lucky as to have no more classes are leaving soon. We
had our Christmas party and tree last Saturday night for the entire
chapter and our town alumnae. I t was given by a third of us in the
form of a "kid-party." Of course you all can imagine the monstrosi-
ties therefrom, so naturally it was a very successful plan.
The college in general took a very great move toward Christmas
charity work this year. Both Alpha Phi and Delta Zeta gave parties
for some poor children. Almost all the fraternities, both men's and
women's, gave to the gift fund. We have a town element here which
needs such work, and I am sure much benefit was derived thereby.
The civic league of the city cooperated with our Y. W. C. A. in
selling Red Cross seals. This was very much of a success, the college
girls selling more than any other group.
You might naturally think from my introduction that Christmas
work is all we have done, yet 'tis not so. On November 6th we ini-
160 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
tiated sixteen very dear girls who have since entered into Alpha O's
praise with all their might. After initiation we gave a banquet at
the Martha Washington Tea Room for the new initiates. Frances
Kelly acted as toastmistress after whom followed Ann White on the
"Stem" of the red rose, Helen Sutton Boney on the "Blossom," and
Edna McClure on the "Fragrance."
Dorothy Dunn was called home just a day or two before initiation
on account of her mother's death. She was initiated, however, soon
after she returned. Bertha Ruby had to leave school on account of
her health. She is now in Florida. We are hoping it may help her,
but she writes now that it is very doubtful as to whether she will be
able to enter second semester as she had planned.
Along with the seriousness of life, we are bound to enjoy a little
frivolity. Billy Kelley Cooper's wedding November 3d which was
supposed to be very secret, in some way or other leaked out. She
was married at high noon, and left for Chicago on the 12:42 p. M.
train. We met them at the train, and sent them off with a very
bounteous shower of rice, part of which she found scattered gra-
ciously through her suitcase after arriving at their destination.
After a short wedding trip, they returned to their little home on E.
Washington. We spent the evening of December 7th with the newly-
Aveds, our visit being in form of a surprise miscellaneous shower.
Billy surely has a dear little home, as cozy as can be, and we always
feel welcome to go there.
Again Theta wishes to extend her heartiest good wishes for a
pleasant and happy year.
Fraternally,
E D N A M C C L U R E , Chapter Editor.
MARRIAGES
Leona (Billy) Kelley to Forest M. Cooper, November 3, 1915.
Loey Read to Troy Puckett, October 30, 1915, Winchester, Ind.
BIRTHS
Born, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Russell Walker (Ethel Tillet), at Indian-
apolis, Indiana.
DELTA, JACKSON COLLEGE
Ruth Burbank, '16 Mildred Simpson, '17
Madeline Jeffers, '16 Priscilla Young, '17
Marion Hall, '16 Madeline Perkins, '18
Emilie Osborn, '16 Kennetha Ware, '18
Lydia Piper, '16 Elizabeth Sargent, '18
Marjorie Dean, '17 Margaret Durkee, '18
Marion Jameson, '17 Ruth Brooks, '19
Helen Rowe, '17 Margaret Kimball, '19
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 161
Inga Little, '19 Madeline Parker, '19
Elizabeth Miller, '19 Ethel Richardson, '19
Martha Neal, '19 Lorna Tasker, '19
Delta was very happy at the outcome of the rushing season this
year. At initiation, November 29th, we welcomed into our ranks eight
girls from the Freshman class. After initiation, there was a social
gathering. Each initiate was called upon for a short speech. We
had with us as special guests a member of the Providence Alumme,
and a girl from Alpha.
The dance given for the new pledges was held November 19.
President Bumps tried an interesting experiment recently on the
Jackson girls, demonstrating the practical as well as the theoretical
side of buying. At his suggestion a leading retail merchant of
Boston sent out eighteen different articles, two of each kind but of
different values. These articles were compared by each student care-
fully, and the result of her investigation recorded. I n a few cases the
articles were of equal value, but mostly there was from twenty-cents
to twelve dollars difference. I n the articles of everyday importance
much intelligence was shown. After the contest the articles were
collected and shown separately, and attention was called to the dif-
ference in quality, showing just why one article was more expensive
than the other.
The active chapter entertained the Boston Alumna? at the home of
Mildred Simpson '17, December 11th. We always enjoy the joint
meetings.
Delta wishes all the other chapters a Happy New Year.
"This world that we're alivin' in
Is mighty hard to beat;
You get a thorn with every rose
But aren't the roses sweet!"
MARJORIE DEAN.
ENGAGEMENTS
Ruth Seavey of Somerville, Mass., (Tufts 1915) announced her engagement
to Paul Emerson of Hartford, Conn., ( T u f t s 1913) at a luncheon at her home
Christmas Week.
MARRIAGES
Edith Sanborne, '13, was married to George Harvey, November 22.
Antonio Adeline Steinberg was married to George Laird Hall on October 16
at Webster, Mass. They are now residing in Baltimore, Maryland. Bcih were
o f the class of 1911 at Tufts.
162 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
GAMMA, UNIVERSITY O F MAINE
Zella Colvin, '16 Lillian Hunt, '17
Doris Currier, '16 Frances Lougee, '17
Florence Greenleaf, '16 Doris Savage, '17
Madeline Robinson, ' l 6 Jessie Sturtevant, '17
Sibyl Russell, '16 Ruth Chalmers, 'l8
Grace Sawyer, '16 Pauline Derby, '18
Evelyn Winship, '16 Fannie Flint, '18
Elizabeth Iiright, '17 Vera Gellerson, '18
Leola Chaplin, '17 Mona MacWilliams, '18
Helen Danforth, '17 Vera Mersereau, 'l8
Alfreda Ellis, '17 Emma Perry, '18
Flora Howard, '17 Gladys Reed, '18
Helen Stinchfield, '18
Dear Sisters:
Here at Maine everything is excitement. College closes tomorrow
for the Christmas recess and although it will be long past the holi-
days before you receive them, we wish to send you our greetings just
the same. That the spirit of love and good-fellowship, aglow in
your hearts at this time, may remain with you throughout the coming
year is the wish of Gamma chapter.
So much has happened since our last letter! Perhaps the first
thing of importance was our annual rushing party for all the Fresh-
man girls. This year we decided upon a "Kid's Kountry Karnival"
and many were the "little tots" who came to see the "Spanish Danc-
ing G i r l , " "Charlie Chaplin," the "Fat Lady" and the " W i l d Man
of Borneo"; to wander through the "Cavern of Darkness"; to learn
their destinies from the dark-eyed Gypsy maid; and to buy candy
sticks, ice cream cones, crackers and bags of pop corn.
Now I must tell you about our pledges. On Founders' Day we
celebrated indeed by pledging five new sisters. They are Ella
Wheeler, Joyce Cheney, Faye Smith, Madeline Gould, and Ruth
Jordan—all Freshmen and just the dearest girls you could imagine.
They are quite talented, also. Madeline is an accomplished singer
while Joyce writes very promising poetry. We are certainly very
proud of them. After the pledge service, June and Doris gave very
interesting historical sketches of the fraternity and of our chapter.
Several of our Alumnae were with us.
But last Monday evening we had a real Alumnae Reunion. And
such a happy reunion it was! So many of the girls who live nearby
had come home for the vacation, and, of course, came to visit us.
After the business meeting, we sewed and chatted until a late hour,
when punch and crackers were served. Among the girls we welcomed
were: Lennie Copeland, '05, Cleora Carr, '03, Mildred Mansfield,
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 163
'07, Alice Farnsworth Phillipps, '08, Florence Browne Markle, '11,
Margaret McManus, '11, Helen Worster, '12, Mary Russell, '13,
Alice Harvey, '13, Estelle Beaupre, '14, Imogene Wormwood, '14,
Aileene Hobart, '14, and Marion Jordan, '14.
An exceedingly interesting letter from Rebecca Chilcott Jackson
of Minneapolis was read. She speaks in very high terms of the
hospitality and executive ability of the girls of Tau chapter. They
seem to have surmounted almost insurmountable obstacles and come
away with flying colors.
We are glad to report that definite steps have been taken toward
the organization of an Alumnae Chapter at Bangor. We feel that
such a chapter so near us will be a great inspiration to Gamma and
we are hoping for its realization in the immediate future.
Again, we extend to you the season's best greetings.
L E O L A C H A P L I N , Chapter Editor.
ENGAGEMENTS
Mr. and Mrs. George Worster announce the engagement of their daughter,
Helen Charlotte, '12, to Charles Brown Cleaves, T A, Maine, '12. Mr.
Cleaves is connected with the Factory Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn.,
with headquarters at Raleigh, N . C .
BIRTHS
To Mr. and Mrs. Harold Wright (Mildred Prentiss), a son, William
Prentiss Wright.
GENERAL
Emily Bartlett, '12, is studying this year at Maine for another degree in
Biology. Emily doesn't look as though she would kill a cat either.
Gladys Treat, '15, is connected with a vocational school at Middletown,
Conn.
Marion Estabrooke, '12, is to spend the winter in Orono and we welcome her
back.
Marion Balentine Reed has returned to Maine where Mr. Reed is engaged
as a Professor of Mathematics.
We know that you will be interested to learn that definite steps have been
taken to form a Bangor Alumna; Association. Two very enthusiastic meetings
have already been held, and a petition has been drawn up which nineteen girls
have now signed. We hope to be installed some time this spring, and we plan
to help materially the chapter and the college.
The active chapter has offered a scholarship of $30 to be given annually to
a Maine girl. The faculty decided that it should be given to a sophomore,
the requirements to be scholarship and general need. It is to be called the
Elizabeth Balentine Scholarship, and it is the first one ever given by a group
o f girls at this institution.
During the Christmas vacation Zella Colvin, (who couldn't go home because
1 1 is a long way from Maine to Indiana) and Doris Currier gave an A O I I
party to all active and alumnse girls in Bangor, Oldtown and vicinity. The
Party was held at dear old Mt. Vernon House. There was a splendid open fire,
a pretty red electrical arrangement with A 0 I I in the center. Nearly thirty
164 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
girls were present, among them two of our pledges with whom we got ac-
quainted. As is customary, refreshments were served, but the girls were loathe to
stop talking even when such an attraction arrived. There is nothing that keeps
the interest of alumna; and arouses enthusiasm among the actives more than
these gatherings, and we plan to have them often.
Carrie Green Campbell has returned to the East and is now located at Port-
land, Me. We feel that we have a true and interested friend near us, and we
hope to see her frequently.
Celia Rice Gallagher has settled in Montreal, where her husband is practis-
ing medicine.
EPSILON, CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Gladys Combs, M6 Jean Short, '17
Viola B. Dengler, '16 Margaret Conlon, '18
Lucy C. Hawley, 'l6 Joanna Donlon, '18
Jesse K . Peters, '16 Evelyn Hieber, '18
Katherine Lyon, '16 Calista Hoffman, '18
Bertha F . Yerke, '16 Dagmar Schmidt, '18
Mary Albertson, '17 Florence Coupe, '19
Sarah L . Campbell, '17 Helen L a Forge, '19
Bettina K. Outterson, '17 Anna Graeffe, Spec.
Anne Morrow, '17 Helen Langdon, '19
Dorothy Shaw, '17 Jean Scheffer, '19
Sharp, '19
Elinor
Once more the exciting and thrilling rushing season is over. At
the beginning of the year there were receptions, mass meetings, teas,
and any number of ways to get acquainted with the Freshman class.
Of course we took advantage of these as far as possible in order to
know the girls, and to choose the ones we wanted to rush. Then we
went to work with much enthusiasm to win the girls we decided
were the kind that Alpha O wants and needs.
Panhellenic decided that Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sun-
day were days for rushing. There were two periods on these days,
(2-4 and 4-6) and a big party on every Saturday night during the
rushing season. The first party was a victrola dance at Elsa Allen's
house. During the intermission, charades were played and clever
ideas were originated that night. Light refreshments were served
later in the evening.
The following Saturday night there was a mock theater party at
Laura Mordoff's house. Everything went off in great style. The
girls who escorted the "rushees" were dressed as men, and paid great
attention to them all evening. There were ushers, real tickets, pro-
grams, maids to sell candy, etc. I t was a regular vaudeville sho^
with seven acts. Everybody seemed to enjoy it—both those seeing
and those giving. After the show we all went to the restaurant (in
the dining-room) for supper.
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 165
A real theater party at the Lyceum came the next Saturday. Edith
Thayer was in Ithaca playing in The Peasant Girl so we took ad-
vantage of it for a rushing party. Last but not least, was the Hal-
lowe'en party at the Country Club. The club was decorated very
attractively, and we danced and played games and did stunts until
our time for parties was over.
Rushing was very successful this year, due to the splendid coopera-
tion of the girls. We departed from the usual plan in that this year
every girl pledged herself to make as many informal calls as possible
during the social hours, that is, when she was not assigned to some
special girl by appointment. The personal responsibility certainly
called forth fine response from the girls.
November 3d was pledge day, and six new pledges were added to
Epsilon's roll—Anne Graeffe, Florence Coupe, Helen Langdon,
Helen La Forge, Jean Scheffer and Elinor Sharp.
We had a hard time trying to decide on the night for initiation.
A l l the girls wanted it before the holidays, but so many college
affairs were scheduled that we almost despaired. Finally November
27th was decided upon, and initiation was a big success.
As for college affairs—well, there have been more than ever, and
our girls have not failed to do their best. The Dramatic Club is
giving a series of one act plays, and they are helping in many ways.
They have also been "shining" in the new magazine which the women
of Cornell began this year.
Nor have we been neglecting the social service side of college life.
Instead of giving a party for ourselves and buying funny and appro-
priate gifts for one another, we spent that money on a party for
the poor children. We entertained about forty children, had a tree
for them, gave them refreshments, and candy and pop corn to take
home with them. Most of us dressed dolls for the Social Service
League of Ithaca.
This is not only performing a service for somebody else but it is
doing us good. I t broadens our sympathies and brings us in closer
contact and more intimate bonds by working for a common cause.
This is only a beginning, and we hope that Epsilon can tell you more
°f such services later in the year.
Epsilon extends her heartiest wishes for a happy and successful
New Year.
V I O L A B . D E N G L E R , Chapter Editor.
GENERAL
Josephine Britton, '07, is teaching in Brooklyn, when she is not furthering
*he suffrage cause.
166 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
Katharine Donlon, '12, is also exercising her persuasive powers upon the
Utica voters, when she is not performing her secretarial duties.
The rest of us (who are unmarried) are teaching: Marian Darville, '12,
presides over the Mathematics in Somerville High School; E l v a Merrick, '13,
and Agnes Dobbins, '13, both teach History; and Gertrude Mosier, '15, teaches
in the grades at her home. Clara Keopka, '14, is a member of the faculty in the
celebrated Gary School; while Melita Skillen, '11, is Dean of Women in Bran-
don College, Canada.
It HO, N O R T H W E S T E R N U N I V E R S I T Y
Ruth Bond, '16 Louise Hoffman, '17
Leonora Doniat, '16 Alice Kolb, '17
Mabel Gastfield, '16 Grace May, '17
Athene Nachtrieb, '16 Alice Jane Wilson, '17
Gertude Nizze, '16 Kate Blum, '18
Ruby Peek, '16 Kathryn Brown, '18
Jean Richardson, '16 Harriet Dolsen, '18
Alma Siegmiller, '16 Mabel McConnel, '18
Ruth Herberger, '16 Elizabeth Hiestand, Postgraduate
Marion Abele, '17 Edna Mclnness, Spec.
Margaret Ariess, '19 PLEDGES
Edith Brown, '19
Elsa Dietel, '19 Dorothy Kerr, '19
Margaret Jeleffe, '19 Faith Morse, '19
Helen Ralston, '19
Constance Roe, '19
Miriam Smock, '19
To our Alpha O sisters everywhere, Rho extends her best wishes
for a most successful New Year. May, 1916 proved indeed a "Great
Highway" over which we may advance towards those wonderful
ideals which are so dear to us all. We at Northwestern are very
enthusiastic and have made many plans both for work and play this
coming year.
First, we wish to tell you that our Freshman pledges are daily prov-
ing that we chose well in selecting them for future Alpha O's. Their
scholarship standing and interest in outside affairs are all that could
be desired. We are justly proud of them, and likewise of our four
new upperclass sisters; Alice Jane Wilson, Marion Abele, Harriet
Dolsen, and Edna Mclnness, who were initiated November 15th. We
are also glad to have Edith Flint, from Gamma, at Willard Hall
with us.
Our annual luncheon was held in the Wedgewood tea-room at
Marshall Field's, October 23rd, and we enjoyed meeting a great many
of our alumna;, whose words of advice and encouragement are always
appreciated. Next came the delightful Hallowe'en party which the
pledges gave the upperclassmen at the home of Edith Brown. They
certainly enjoyed turning the tables on us, and putting us through
TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 167
the stunts—and we enjoyed it too. December 3d brought two events
which will long be remembered by the Rho girls. I n the afternoon,
we gave a farewell tea at Betty Hiestand's for our Julia Norton
Clemes, who with her husband was on her way to San Francisco to
sail for India, where Mr. Clemes is to have charge of a boys' school
at Meerut. We certainly miss her, but we wish her success and
happiness in her new home. I n the evening of the same day, we
held our informal dance at the beautiful Wilmette Country Club on
the North Shore, and our guests maintained it was the most enjoy-
able affair they ever attended.
A l l our girls are busy with their various activities and offices, es-
pecially Jean Richardson, who was elected chairman of the social
committee of the Senior class. Perhaps you would be interested in
hearing how we are financing our new Womens' Building. Every
girl on the campus pledged herself to earn a dollar before Thanks-
giving and every fraternity girl an extra dollar for her fraternity
fund. Indeed, one may purchase anything from ginger-bread or
a shampoo to a fixed "date"—all for the Woman's Building! As
our Mabel Gastfield is president of the Athletic Association, which
is engineering the project, we hear a great deal about it.
Since Northwestern University has its own Settlement in the 17th
ward in Chicago, we all have many opportunities of doing real ser-
vice. Ruth Bond is teaching a sewing class there, and several others
go down occasionally to help or substitute. Louise Hoffman, who is
on the Executive Board of the Social Service Committee, has had
charge of the foreigners' English classes there this year, and likewise
conducted the Christmas stocking campaign in which the women on
the campus made four thousand little red stockings for the children's
candy at the Christmas parties. Others helped at these parties, while
our Freshmen filled and provided a splendid Christmas basket of
food and wearing apparel for a family of seven.
Gertrude Nizze is teaching German at the Girls' League in Evans-
ton, and Jean Richardson is teaching dancing at H u l l House in the
c i t y . So you see we are all trying to do our mite and "be a friend to
Man."
Again we wish that this may be a banner year for Alpha O.
L O U I S E K . H O F F M A N , Chapter Editor.
LAMBDA, LELAND STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Martha Wolff, '14 Marian Boal, '16
Harriet Maines, '15 Erna Taylor, '16
Lucile Curtis, '15 Hazel Hartwell, '16
Emily Poindexter, '15 Muriel Turner, '16
168 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
Alice Moore, '16 Elizabeth Wood, '18
Genevieve Morse, '16 Marian Gilbert, '18
Edna Brown, '16 Lily Morrison, '18
Marguerite Fogel, '17 Constance Chandler, '18
Rea Gilbert, '17 Marguerite Odenheimer, '18
Laura Wilkie, '17 Jeanne Stoddard, '18
Mildred Cowdrey, '17 Ruth Chandler, '19
Abbie Wood, '18 Ruth Taylor, '19
Christmas is almost here, and with it the close of the semester. I t
has been such a busy, crammed-full-of-duties-and-pleasures year that
the time has fairly flown.
On October 25th we initiated our five splendid Freshmen—Ruth
Taylor and Ruth Chandler, whom I have told you of before, Mildred
Cowdrey, a transfer from the University of Southern California,
Marguerite Odenheimer of Los Angeles, and Jeanne Stoddard of
Merced, Cal.
The fraternity women at Stanford have been particularly con-
cerned lately with the new rushing problem which they have before
them. After this last season, Stanford was told that she might sud-
denly lose her fraternities i f a radical change were not made in
the manner of rushing. The chief objection to our present system
is its conspicuous nature, and the hard and often bitter feelings that
it arouses on the part of nonfraternity women.
A board of faculty men and women who have looked into the
question, suggested as the best possible remedy, the adoption of
Registration Day Bidding by the lawyer plan. With these two
principles to start with, Panhellenic has built up our new system.
Data was gathered on several other plans involving the same general
laws, and much real thought and consideration have been given the
subject. We hope for only the best results, but experience is the
factor which must determine the success or failure of the plan.
Another newly "cooked-up" question, which is also not only of
interest to us as Alpha O's, but to us as a part of the whole university
is that of Cooperative Buying. A l l of the fraternities (both men
and women) have been asked to enter into an agreement which pro-
vides for a common source of supply for all of the houses, thereby
furnishing greatly reduced rates on all food stuffs. I t is not yet
certain whether the plan will be adopted, but we have voted in its
favor.
The girls who are to remain in the house during the holidays, are
planning to give a Christmas party for the children of an Orphan
Asylum near here. They have not yet decided what the nature of the
party shall be, but whatever it is, the main design will be to make
the children happy. The rest of us who go home, will probably do
TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 169
our work individually or in as large groups as can be mustered into
one place.
Final examinations are in vogue at Stanford just now, and I shall
have to stop this letter in order to keep up with the general trend of
the times.
C O N S T A N C E C H A N D L E R , Chapter Editor.
MARRIAGES
Grace Dickinson, A ex-' 11, and Roy W. Harris were married on January 16,
in Pasadena. They will be at home after February I , at Gardena, Los Angeles
County, Cal.
The wedding of May Chandler, '14, to Mr. Roger Doodan took place in
Los Angeles, October 23, 1915.
BIRTHS
Mr. and Mrs. Cline, Los Angeles, have a fine baby boy.
GENERAL
Virginia Moore is enjoying Y . W. C . A. work in New York.
Mr. and Mrs. E m i l Cykler are in Honolulu for the present.
Marjorie Sayre recently spent a couple of weeks in Los Angeles.
IOTA, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
ACTIVE MEMBERS
Ethel Brooks, '16 E v a Goodman, ex-'l7
Nellie lledgcock, '16 Gladys Saffell, '17
Opal Trost, '16 Minnie Phillips, '18
Louise Woodroofe, '17 Mate Giddings, '17
Leota Mosier, '16 Golda Wadsworth, '17
Isabel McKinnell, '16 Bertha Stein, '18
Florence Moss, '17 Ruth Percival, '18
Maybelle Dallenboch, '17 Nina Grotevant, '18
Nellie Janes, '18 Velda Bamesbarger, '18
Mary Caldwell, '18
Elaine Buhrman, '17 PLEDGES
Marian Gregg, '17
Aileen Hunter, 'iS Marian Kinney, '19
Martha Hedgcock, '18 Helen Brauns, '19
Hazel Stevens, '19
Marie Stejskal, : i g
Dear Sisters:
Our rushing season lasted two weeks after the opening of school,
and on October 2d we pledged six girls—Aileen Hunter, Isabel Mc-
Kinnell, Martha Hedgcock, Marian Kinney, Elaine Buhrman, Flelen
Brauns and Hazel Stevens.
The following Friday, October 8th, we had an informal dance at
our home for our pledges, and had a splendid time. On December 3d
w e had another informal dance, which was managed entirely by our
170 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
pledges. They more than realized our expectations, and planned a
lovely dance.
This f a l l a number of our alumnae gave us a silver scholarship
cup, on which each year is to be engraved the name of the Freshman
girl who makes the highest grades. The name of Velda Bames-
berger, '18, was the first to be engraved on the cup. We appreciate
this g i f t both because we appreciate being remembered in this way,
and because we realize that it will stimulate us all for better scholar-
ship.
At both Home-coming and Teachers' Conference we were glad to
welcome a large number of our alumnae. I t seemed good to see them
again.
Later this f a l l we pledged two new girls, Marian Gregg, '17, and
Marie Stejskal, '19. We are very proud of our pledges, Isabel Mc-
Kinnell, '16, was initiated on December 13th. .
The Christmas season brought us many new duties. The first
special thing we did was to dress dolls which were to be sent to Chi-
cago for the Y. W. C. A. So each girl in this way helped to make
Christmas a little pleasanter for some one else.
On December 20th our pledges gave us a Christmas party. We were
all invited to come dressed as little girls, and there we saw the real
Christmas tree lighted with candles. Then each girl received her
present in a stocking, with a very appropriate verse about the girl
or the gift, or both. We all enjoyed our Christmas party. After-
ward the tree was given to a poor family to be used at their Christ-
mas time.
We have also received some lovely Christmas gifts from several
of our alumnae, and from our chaperone Mrs. Stowers. We truly ap-
preciate these gifts, for we know the spirit in which they are given.
Here are best wishes for a joyful and prosperous New Year to all
our Alpha O sisters.
Yours in A O I I ,
L E O T A M O S I E R , Chapter Editor.
ENGAGEMENTS
The engagement of Etta Lantz, '14, to Mr. Ray Triplett of BIulTton, Ohio,
has been announced.
MARRIAGES
Edna Hunter, ex-'i4, was married to Mr. George Bowman on June 30, \9l$-
Mr. Bowman is a graduate of Minnesota University, and is now a lawyer »n
Milwaukee, Wis.
GENERAL
Jessie F a y Edmundson, '13, besides her regular work of lunchroom manage-
ment and teaching in the high school at Highland Park, also leaches in nigh'
school three times a week. She is very busy, but is also delighted with l ' e r
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 171
work. She visited Etta Lantz at Bluffton, Ohio, during the Thanksgiving
vacation.
Katherine Buenger, '15, writes most interesting letters about her work as
teacher of household science in a night school in St. Louis.
Avis Coultas, '13, is staying at her home in Sycamore this year, and is oc-
casionally helping her father in his work. Mr. Coultas is County Superin-
tendent of Schools in De Kalb County.
Many of our alumnae are growing anxious to see California. Mabel Jackson,
'15 writes most glowing accounts of the scenery and climate, and of good times
she is having in Los Angeles.
E v a Goodman Scales' address now is: 615 West Ninth Street, Waterloo,
Iowa.
Anna Hoffert, '15, was fortunate in having quite a long Christmas vaca-
tion, and visited at the chapter house several days before the University
closed for the holiday vacation.
Barbara Denison, '09, writes very interesting letters about social life in
Brainerd, Minn., and of Woman's Club work, in which she is much interested.
Also she tells of interesting things which her children do. Her little Ada and
Bob are perfect specimens of healthful and vivacious children.
Mary Wills, '15, visited Susie Hubbard, '12, at Boswell, Ind., during the
holiday season. Susie's home is most pleasant, and Susie is herself a splendid
"housefrau." Her diversions are many, too. She is actively interested in
church work, and club work, but spends no inconsiderable time riding over
the good Indiana roads with her husband in their new "Stutz."
Mabel Wallace, '14, attended the Army and Navy football game in New
York last November.
Jana Wiley Rowland, ex-'16, is very nicely located in her new home at
Hume, 111., and several of the Alpha O girls have already visited her.
Besides her home duties, Jana recently took part in a home-talent play, is active
in church work, and is keeping up her piano practice.
We Iota alumnae are very glad to know that Inez D. Jayne, M.A. '12, has
been chosen president of the organization of A O I I women of Minneapolis
8Rd St. Paul who are now petitioning for an alumna chapter in the "Twin
cities." " I n the good old college days" of 1912, whatever Inez was interested
m was always sure to be successful,—and her interests were many; so we
f e e l justified in thinking that an alumnae chapter with her as president ought
surely to be splendid.
We are also very glad and proud to know that Mrs. Stewart has appointed
Mildred MacDonald, '10, chairman of the scholarship committee.
Ethel Watts, ex-'15, is having a very delightful winter in Ypsilanti, Mich.
Music and parties occupy a large part of her time. Ethel has the distinction of
being the most prompt of all our alumnae in answering letters.
Ruth Davison, '13, Hazel Alkire, '12, Maurine Mavity, ex-'l6, and Mary
Wills, '15, visited at the chapter house during the Teachers' Conference at the
University in November. They were all most enthusiastic about the active
chapter,—its girls, their accomplishments this year, and their lovely hospitality,
the new home in Urbana is so pretty, and roomy, and comfortable, too. And
1 ever there were active girls who understood how to make alumnae feel
oroughly welcome, they are our active girls! One is almost glad to be an
» umna just to be able to appreciate so greatly the joy and sweetness of get-
gl n back to Alpha 0 associations after being deprived of them for a while.
172 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
The alumna' editor wishes she might write a news item about each of our
alumna;. She is unable to do this simply because many of the alumna; failed to
answer her inquiries. Your cooperation will be very gratefully appreciated.
May she not expect a letter from you rather soon?
TAU, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Edith Goldsworthy, '16 Dorothy McCarthy, '17
Marguerite Gillette, '16 Phana Wernicke, '17
Edith Mitchell, '16 Leta Nelson, '18
Margaret Wood, '16 Elsa Steinmetz, '18
Florence Brande, '17 Jennie Marie Schover, *l8
Gertrude Falkenhagen, '17 Mary Watson, '18
Elsa Fehlhammer, '17 Vivian Watson, '18
Helen Pierce, '17 Cecile Monarty, '18 (medicine)
First I must announce that Tau, has pledged five new girls, the
loveliest we know—Alma Boehnrie, Margaret Boothroyd, Jess Duns-
combe, Muriel Fairbanks and Phona Wernicke. Indeed, we fairly
burst with pride over them.
But aeons have passed since pledge day, bringing football teas,
mothers' tea, and finally, the Christmas bazaar. I t was a Japanese
fete, and took place December fourth. So behold us, studious Tau's
turned unscrupulous traders, scheming by dark and devious ways to
catch in our bags a penny from the unwary.
There was a swarthy Egyptian to read the palms of the credulous;
outlandish side-shows to lure the inquisitive; and games of chance
where the bold and reckless might risk their all. There were booths
filled with rare finery, and delectable viands, from Arabian silks to a
jar of green pickles. Finally, there was tea served by almond-eyed
maidens in kimonas. Do you wonder that mortal man could not
withstand us?
Just here we want to express our gratitude to Mrs. Pulling and
Mrs. McPhie from Delta, and to Mrs. Jackson from Gamma. We
Taus are inexperienced and often uncertain. They have come to us
like good angels, very kind, and oh, very, very wise!
Tau wishes her sister chapters a most successful New Year.
FLORENCE BRANDE.
CHI, SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
Elizabeth French, '15 ACTIVES
Florence Gilger, '16
Alma Jones, '16 Leta McClear, '17
Gertrude Shew, '16 Ruth Melvin, '17
Emily Tarbell, '16 Helen Schrack, '17
Sadie Campbell, '17 Lillian Battenfeld, '18
Edna Ilausner, '17 Frances Carter, '18
Florence Hughes, '18
Bertha Muckey, '18
Edith Rauch, '18
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 173
PLEDGES
Mary Adams, '19 Gertrude Kay, '18
Ethel Farrington, '19 Florence Lawther, '19
Gertrude Johnson, '19 Reva Snyder, '19
Chi's greetings to all.
Three new pledges we introduce to you—three full-fledged sisters
when you read these lines—Florence Lawther, '19, of Syracuse, Ethel
Farrington, '19, of Pulaski, and Gertrude Johnson, '19, of Saranac
Lake. We are sure that you will love them even as much as we do.
A l l our pledges have been showing their fraternity spirit in the splen-
did manner in which they came out for practice for the chapter
basketball team and played in our fast and snappy game against the
Kappa Kappa Gamma team in the inter-living-center series. And we
wish that you could have seen the clever farce that these same pledges
produced on pledges' stunt night. Little did we realize the dramatic
talent among our Freshmen!
Fourteen of our big sisters returned for the annual Colgate-
Syracuse football game, and helped us celebrate the "burying of the
Colgate hoo-doo" (the score was 38-0, you remember) at the alumnie
reunion at the chapter house that evening. I t was the first meeting
between some of us, and right gladly we sealed our friendships. Per-
haps we can best say here how much we enjoy our alumnae returning
to us and dropping in for a week-end as several often do. We only
wish that more of our sisters would frequently visit the chapter home.
The Sigma Kappa girls, our across-the-street neighbors, enter-
tained for us in a spooky and mysterious manner on Hallowe'en. We
had such a jolly evening and enjoyed meeting them all. They gave
us further opportunity to become acquainted with them when they
accepted our invitation for a later evening. When we gathered
around the fireplace and confessed the most appalling sin that each
had committed—real or unreal—the last bit of ice between us was
broken.
Our Christmas gayeties were varied. Friday afternoon before
college closed we had a big Christmas tree and a supper for a group
of youngsters from the slums. Bright, cheery little chaps they were,
and the girls were such capable little things. None of the toys or
games evoked quite as much enthusiasm on their part as the serving
°f the strawberry ice and the bringing in of the huge birthday cake
with its pink candles aflame in honor of Sadie, our fun-loving Junior.
On that same evening we had our own Christmas party, a gift-
party for the chapter house. Our Sophomores endeavoring to outdo
the Freshman stunt program, presented an eight part vaudeville show.
The impersonations of famous characters by the Sophomore Sisters
174 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
in which the upperclass girls could see themselves as others see them,
was an hilarious success. (We have just begun this custom—a cus-
tom that will take long in dying out—of having one class entertain
the other classes after the chapter meeting once each month. The
Juniors and Seniors are racking their brains for ideas at present.
Nor must we forget the Christmas dance that enlivened the chapter
house that next Monday evening—perhaps it would be better to call
it a holly dance, so profusely was the holly festooned among the red
and green streamers. (Though Ruthie quite remembered to add a
bit of mistle-toe to the decorations.)
Florence Gilger opened her home on the evening of November 20th
for her birthday party. We were given a chance to designate the
characteristics of every Chi girl, and quite aptly it was done in many
cases. We had a merry evening as we always do at Florence's home,
and wished that she would have a birthday twice a year.
Thursday night we have regularly set aside as faculty night. Ou
that evening we entertain one or two professors and their wives at
dinner. We find that this plan is bridging the distance between the
faculty and ourselves in a delightful way.
Have you heard about field hockey, which has just finished its
first season as a sport for women at Syracuse? Edna made position
of left halfback on the Odds' team; Frances and Emily played right
fullback and left inside forward respectively on the Evens' team.
The Odds, that is the '17 and the '19 girls, won the final game with
a 3-2 score.
Emily and Lillian were two of the four S. U . representatives at
the state Y. W. C. A. student conference at Rochester in November.
Syracuse University has had an upheaval religiously. Doubtlessly
you have read of the soul-winning campaign that " B i l l y " Sunday has
been conducting here in Syracuse. The university has been vitally
affected. Faculty members, living-center, chapter house, and individ-
ual students have formed their respective prayer groups. Even in
this short time (the campaign closed but two days since) that Sunday
has been with us, the tone of the campus has been visibly altered.
Professors no longer hesitate to speak of religion to their classes, and
students speak frankly with each other on the subject. We ourselves
are forming our own little prayer-group to help perpetuate the won-
derful work of that much-criticized man, " B i l l y " Sunday.
We are to have another building on our campus—the Joseph Slo-
cum College of Agriculture, given by Mrs. Russell Sage in memory
of her father. The State College of Forestry building is fast near-
ing completion. Three new cottages have increased the women's
TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 175
dormitory space. The work of collecting and raising funds for our
proposed Women's Building goes on untiringly; alumnae and under-
graduate women have made the erecting of this building for S. U .
our immediate aim. WTe are each striving to swell the funds through
the work of our class organizations.
Chi wishes a hearty, loyal college spirit for each and every chapter.
And again she sends greetings.
E M I L Y T A R B E L L , Chapter Editor.
Ruby Davis, '14, spent the Thanksgiving holidays at the chapter house.
Helen Johnson, '14, is teaching in Henderson, N. Y .
Martha Sargent, '15, has been very ill with pneumonia.
Among the graduates who returned for the Colgate game and alumna;
reunion November 13 were Edith Adams, '13, Lora Thompson Mitchell, '13,
Theresa Maxwell, '13, Ethel Harris, '14, Helen Johnson, '14, Gertrude Jenni-
son, '14, Vera Ingalls, '15, Martha Sargent, '15, and Mildred Williams, '15.
Camilla Jenison, '12, spent several days at the chapter house in October.
UPSILON, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
Susie Paige, '16 Margery Miller, '18
Ada Kraus, '16 Irma McCormick, '18
Edith Sifton, '16 Helen Legg, '18
Ethel Kraus, '16 Mildred Jeans, '18
Mabel Potter, '16 Ruth Lusby, '18
Mildred Baker, '17 Helen Brewster, '18
Ruth Fosdick, '17 Rose Elwood, '18
Ellen JolliiTe, '17 Esther Knudson, '18
Madge Phillbrook, '17 Eunice Semmen, '18
PLEDGES
Hilda Hendrickson, '19 Ruth Haslett, '19
Eugenia Garrett, '19 Ruth Abelset, '19
Louise Benton, '19 Eloise Ebright, '19
I t hardly seems possible that by the time we are reading this letter
the mid-year examinations will be a thing of the past. Just at present
they loom up with most dreadful certainty on the other side of
Christmas vacation.
Since the last letter, all sorts of pleasant things have been happen-
ing. On the day Upsilon was one week old, Mrs. Brown, A, gave a
birthday party at her home in Bryn Mawr, one of Seattle's suburbs.
There was a really, truly cake with a red candle on it, and after
^eggy had cut it, we all felt that Upsilon was growing up. We had
just ceased to be the baby chapter. We all unite in sending heartiest
greetings and best wishes to Nu Kappa, who is almost our twin.
A l l the fraternities on the campus have been very kind to us.
Some of them sent us beautiful flowers with their notes of good
wishes, but most of them have entertained us with teas and informal
176 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
suppers. I n October we gave our annual tea for the fathers and
mothers. We all look forward eagerly to this event, for the parents
are so interested in everything, and we are so happy to meet them.
Our house was open for inspection, and we made it bright and pretty
with autumn leaves, and red dahlias. I n November we gave an in-
formal dance at one of the down town hotels in honor of our pledges.
There were over forty of us altogether, and we were most happy to
have Jacqueline Wood, A, and Helen Shipman, A, with us. We
held to the color, red, as the keynote of our decorations and programs.
We have also entertained for our pledges with a large dinner party
and a tea. During the Thanksgiving recess we gave a very informal
dance. Several of the girls came back to visit, and we held initiation.
Florence Semmen, '14, Gladys Byham, ex-'17, and Mildred
Baker, ex-'17, were initiated. This is the second time we have held
initiation. On October 16th we initiated Lucy Heyes, '14, Geneva
Sargison, '14, Joanne Karrer, '15, and Roszelle Karrer, ex-'18. Then
just before we all scattered for vacation the Seniors entertained us
with a Hard Times Christmas party. The guests were garbed in
clothes which even the poorest child would have discarded, and to
judge from their interest and delight Santa Claus was an unknown
character to them. The house fared well this Christmas, for it re-
ceived many beautiful and useful gifts.
The girls have been interested in campus affairs as usual. Several
of them are serving on Y. W. C. A. committees. Susie Paige is
treasurer of the Y. W. C. A., and is deeply interested in Woman's
League work, Ruth Abelsett and Ellen Jolliffe both made their class
crews; Ruth Fostick served on the Junior Vaudeville Committee and
the Varsity Ball Committee; and Margery Miller is working on the
Sophomore Social Committee. After the holidays we are planning
to organize our basketball team for the interfraternity games.
I n spite of all the good luck Upsilon is enjoying, we have had a
misfortune in the loss of three of the girls, Eloise and Eloine Flem-
ing, our twins, have withdrawn because of i l l health, and Charlotte
H a l l was called home because of the sudden death of her father.
Panhellenic on the campus has not been very active, but before
another letter, we shall very probably have tried out a new system
of rushing. They have started a series of interfraternity dinners
among the women students which are held every two weeks. As *
means of promoting democracy they are most successful, and we are
all quite enthusiastic about them.
Washington has closed a most glorious football season. California
and Colorado were both defeated, and as a result we have finished our
eight years without a defeat. Everyone greatly regrets the loss of
our coach, Gilmour Dobie, who has resigned.
TO PRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 177
Upsilon wishes a most successful New Year to all her sister chap-
ters.
R U T H FOSDICK, Chapter Editor.
NU KAPPA, SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
Margaret Vaughan, ' i ~ Louise Pendleton, 'i8
Lucinda Smith, '17 Margaret Bently, Spec.
Martha Smith, '19 Maude Rasburry, 'to.
Erma Baker, '19
PLEDGES
Nell Graham, '19 Nell Harris, '19
Genievieve Groce, '19
After about three days our pledges will no longer be on the pledge
list. Panhellenic made a rule requiring the girls to pass the first
quarter of their work before they could be initiated. Our examina-
tions came before the holidays, and our girls successfully passed them
all. Since our last letter Louise Pendleton. '18, has been initiated.
About the first of December we had a tea at the Dallas Country
Club, and invited a large number of the students. It was just a
little informal affair, but if they enjoyed it as much as we did, they
must have had a very good time. However, when we were the jolliest
was in our own little fraternity room together, on the night before
Christmas eve. We had gotten a pretty Christmas tree, and some
gay decorations. We left enough room for the gifts, which were not
to cost more than twenty-five cents each. This was an understanding
among us, so that we might give better presents to our room. Carrie
Crane, Kappa, '16, now in the University of Missouri, and Anna
Kate Gilbert were with us. I t was suggested that we find a poor
family to whom to give our tree, so that they might enjoy i t ; but we
found that the servants were planning a Christmas party, so we let
them have it for their fun.
The Y. W. C. A. and Y. M . C. A. are doing active work now, and
are interesting almost all of the students. The boys are lining up
for baseball work, but practice has hardly started. Our number has
increased and everyone is still very enthusiastic over the University.
1 here is a good spirit of democracy among us girls, and our common
cause is supporting anything which is of benefit to our college activi-
ties.
E R M A BAKER, Chapter Editor.
(The Editor recently received a letter from the President of Nu Kappa,
asking that an error, which occurred in the November number be corrected.
Mr*. Margaret Bonner Bentley, whose name was given in the November num-
ber as a charter member of Nu Kappa and as a pledge at Randolph-Macon,
w a s not a pledge at Randolph-Macon, although she is, as was stated, a charter
member of N u Kappa.)
178 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
ALUMNA CHAPTER LETTERS
N E W YORK ALUMN/E
The New York Alumnae were very glad to have Helen Henry
present at the first regular meeting. The knowledge that our Grand
Secretary was expected brought out the largest crowd in many
months. About thirty girls were present.
At our last meeting we were again honored, for Lillian McQuillin
made a special trip to New York to attend the meeting. There was
a lively discussion of philanthropic work for fraternities in general
and Alpha O in particular. Each member had brought a toy or an
article of children's clothing, as it was our Christmas party. Some
of the gifts went to a family with four tuberculous children, some to
the family of a hard working widow, and the rest to the Harlem
Milk Station for its Christmas party. Next month we plan to cut
and roll bandages for a hospital in Alsace, in which an Alpha O is
much interested.
E D I T H D I E T Z , President.
SAN FRANCISCO ALUMN/E
The San Francisco Alumine chapter met October 6th at the home
of Claudia Massie Lawton. The girls had a very enjoyable time as
Claudia is a charming hostess. I t was an unusually interesting meet-
ing owing to a very enthusiastic letter from Linda Best Terry telling
us about the installation of the N u Kappa chapter and their first
and most successful rushing season. Gladys Britton also told us of
our splendid Upsilon chapter in Seattle, and of her enjoyable visit
with new sisters. A discussion of the building fund for Sigma's new
home followed. We decided to take the candy booth at Sigma's
annual bazaar, and Claudia volunteered to take charge of a grab-bag
at ten cents a chance.
The next meeting was held October 30th owing to the fact that the
big game with Washington took place on the first Saturday in No-
vember. We met at the Sigma chapter house and had just enougn
members to make a quorum. The Exposition, you see, was drawing
to a close, and we just had to go as often as possible. Fortunately
there was not a great deal of business.
The December meeting was held at the home of Virginia Esterly-
Virginia lives far up on a hill but the view of San Francisco bay from
her house well repays one for the climb. A letter was read from Is»-
belle Henderson Stewart, asking for a discussion of the relations of
the chapter to the fraternity as a whole, to the active chapter, to the
TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 179
world about us. A discussion followed. A letter from Helen Henry
was read giving the chapter vote on all amendments.
The January meeting was held at the Sigma chapter house. There
was a discussion concerning the disposal of the money left over from
convention. A motion was made that the Alumnae should give a
sugar bowl and creamer to the active chapter on the chapter birthday,
February 6th. The secretary was asked to send out the notices for
the meetings in plenty of time so that we can have a large attendance
at all the meetings. Now that the Exposition is closed and the holi-
day season is over we expect every one to come.
Fraternally,
A L I C E F R E U I . E R , Secretary.
PROVIDENCE ALUMN/E
Dear Sisters:
I f To DRAGMA means as much to you all as it does to me, then the
Editor should feel well repaid for her efforts. I t has been an in-
spiration to me, and I think it has to the other members of Providence
Alumnae. Herein are we brought closely in touch with one another,
and are made to know so much of our newly connected sisters. I , for
one, greatly regret not being a part of the installation in September,
but I want to have you know that Helen Rose and I had a great treat
ir. being "allowed" to attend the initiation at Jackson College this
year. I t has been many years since we were privileged to witness this
service, and we are extremely grateful to Delta for this inspiring
opportunity. The initiates made a goodly company of whom we all
may be proud. The sight of "Brownie" Keating, Marion Rich, Ethel
Davis, Polly Lambert and Blanche Hooper reminded us of those days
of Delta Sigma, and there was a certain touch of sadness as we were
reminded also of the other girls who always had greeted us at Tufts
m those days before we allied ourselves with Alpha Omicron Pi.
There will always be that bond between us who once served the green
and white, but I know we are all as loyal to the new Love, who
brought with her so many more with whom to share our happiness.
She stretches out from Atlantic to Pacific and down to the Gulf,
broadening our horizon, and uniting us in a way which the little New
England band could never have known otherwise.
Please note that Helen Eddy Rose (Mrs. Alanson D.) is our
President, having been elected to that office at our June election.
A Happy New Year to you a l l ! May it be the best ever!
M A U D E E. C. C O V E L L , Secretary.