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THE TWIG
December 14, 1956
To Celebrate Christmas . .
As the air becomes more biting, the wind more chilling, as the leaves
become less tinted with a glaze of gold and red, the fields less misted in
the mornnig but frosted, a voice within almost all of us takes up the an
nual cry of Christmastime.
Brown leaves flutter along city streets intermingling with torn pam
phlets which tell of Butlers bargains on footwear or the A. & P.’s gigantic
yuletime fair of foods. Bits of tinsel fall from the across-street decorations
and slide across the iceslicked sidewalks. ^
The big artificial Santa Claus is laughing in the toy-shop again, and
the cigarette companies are all advising us that THE gift this year is a
carton of cigarettes. The greeting card companies again sell great quanti
ties of emotions by the card, and lovely decanters may be had practically
free along with a fifth of bourbon.
We procacd about our everyday business until it is completely per
meated with the smell of evergreen and the thought of butter-roasted
turkey. Soon we find nostalgic words returning to our vocabulary—Santa
Claus, reindeer, stocking, and mince pie. The mundane cares of our daily
existence are replaced by worries of what we must buy for Great Aunt
Martha, and whether Jimmy will or will not give us a present.
It’s Christmas—the turbulent season of commercial hey-days—the
season to be celebrated in the traditional way. We must send Aunt Ellen
a book of Dickens and cards to all the people who have stagnated on our
inevitable lists, and, of course, we must be home with the family for
Christmastime. To celebrate Christmas—the time for exchanging gifts,
decorating trees, and attending parties—merry, merry parties. Christmas
receives a bigger build-up than the opening of a Broadway show; it has
more sponsors than Arthur Godfrey; everyone is in favor of Christmas
—or at least its celebration.
Then, finally, the stockings are hung, the turkey basted, the children
asleep; the last-minute frenzied details are attended to; the feverish pitch
of human emotions lies hidden behind the closing department store
doors, and a red and green splotched newspaper is tossed across a wind
blown, blackish, deserted snow-slopped street, until it flaps itself across
the face of a statue in the Catholic church yard. The statue is of Christ.
Liza Culberson.
A CHANGE IS NEEDED
Dear Editor:
After some thought about the matter many students do not think a rule
requiring class attendence at Meredith is good. I agree.
In the first place the students on entering our college should meet a
situation where the accepted attitude is that every student goes to her
classes. They should be expected to be in class every time it meets unless
they have a good reason. Instead they are told that they may cut each
class three times. Some immediately conclude that it is part of the Mere
dith way to be absent from every class three times. Sometimes without
reason students feel that they are obligated to take the last cut. Many
seem to enjoy this opportunity and take full advantage of it. This situa
tion led one professor to remark sarcastically, “I wish you’d tell the
freshmen next year that one of the requirements for passing this course
is not their being absent three times.” In short the system seems to me
to stimulate more absence than' attendance plus a poor attitude.
Second, it does not give students who are wise enough to come to
Meredith for instruction credit for mature judgment when it implies that
the majority of its students would not realize that they will learn more in
class (of what will determine their grades) than out.
Third, it would save a great deal of everyone’s time—students, faculty,
and administration—now wasted in calling rolls and clearing up mistakes.
The minutes wasted in such dull, mechanical, and juvenile roll calling puts
a damper on the classes.
Last I, with others, stoutly protest the penalty of deducting quality
points for absence from class. The college does not give quality points
for physical presence in classes. Grading is generally established on the
basis of material covered. If a student fails to cover some of that material
she has acquired her own penalty. Why should she be penalized in ad
dition to missing what went on in the classroom?
In closing, I suggest that restrictions controlling class attendance be
lifted beginning next semester. Treated as adults I think the girls would
respond as adults.
Lois Dobson.
Let Us Prove Our Maturity
It is encouraging to know that real consideration is being given to the
matter of required class attendance. Both faculty and students are dis
cussing the problem, and many believe that we are ready for a change.
Undoubtedly there are many faults in our present system. In the first
place, it is far too involved, with a series of cuts, double cuts, third cuts,
and excused cuts which require intricate record keeping. Does it not
seem a bit absurd that such complicated means are necessary for college
students, to insure that each one is present in class the proper number
of times?
Also, there is injustice in the system; for a number of^exceptions are
being made at points where the rules seem too strict, yet those students
who do not ask for an exception must abide by the rules, whether strict
or not.
We seriously believe that Meredith juniors and seniors are mature
enough to handle the responsibility of class attendance. Why not make a
trial and see what the results in class attendance would be? Why not
allow all seniors complete freedom in class attendance for one semester
—even this spring semester? We are confident that Meredith students
would prove their maturity.
SheNANigans
By NANCY JOYNER
I declare. The people in this
school are the silliest crew ever I
laid my eyes on. Especially around
Christmas. You begin to wonder
whether it’s Christmas spirit or
spirits that we have. Take, for in
stance, tonight. What did we hear
but Dr. Tilley bellowing out at the
lecturer “Talk louder, please,” in a
very musical voice, interrupting the
poor man and getting him all flus
tered. Besides that, Mr. Reynolds
made the profound statement that
we have an art department in the
school. Have you ever?
This malady isn’t confined to the
faculty, unfortunately. I’m con
vinced that my hall would win the
prize for idiocy if ever such a one
were given. (Maybe the Nuisance
and Disturber will pull that as their
next contest gag.) Tonight as I was
wandering aimlessly around the hall
— I’m afflicted, too — Joan Pea
cock told me the thing I should put
in the paper is the fact that her
roommate, Marilyn, talks in her
sleep — all the time. What’s more,
Katherine Renfrew came up with
the brilliant suggestion tonight at
the hall meeting that we accompany
our carol-singing with ukes. It would
be different.
Of course, second Faircfoth
doesn’t have a monopoly on silli
ness. Second Stringfield runs us a
close second. Did you know that
on their bulletin board there is
the sign, “When you feel dog-tired
at night, maybe it’s because you
growled all day.”
Oh, well, if I may paraphrase
I’d say, “We may be silly, but we
have fun.” I kind of like it this way.
Oh, yes. Merry Christmas, every
body.
Dear Santa Claus
Dear Santa Claus,
This year, instead of writing' to
you as I usually do — asking gifts
of fruits, nuts and candies for my
self, I want to ask in this letter for
the little, things that my friends at
Meredith need. (I will send you the
list of things I want in the large
envelope, as I usually do.)
First of all, dear Santa, I want
you to see that everyone from Roa
noke Rapids, and Halifax . . . and
Four Oaks . . . and Lynchburg has
a way to get home for Christmas.
This is very important, so try to do it,
please.
And Santa, bring the switchboard
operators a person to sit on every
hall — put there just to answer the
phone in a hurry, because the
switchboard operators are such very
nice people.
Santa, will you also please bring
the Colton English Club a set of
new, ready-made curtains for the
browsing room, so that they won’t
have to stay here and sew during
Christmas holdiays. They need to
go home real bad.
Oh, and dear Santa, there is
something very special that a nice
person needs — would you mind
bringing Miss Baity a special room,
where she can lock all those people
whose interest in the library lies
in the joy of talking loud and hang
ing mobiles from the light cords. I
think that she would like that pres
ent.
Now, let me see ... I know!.
Please bring a special set of maga
zines to the Bee Hive for all those
people who like to tear out little
bits.
Now, jolly ole Saint Nicholas,
there is a special, special something
that the Art 59 class wants more
than anything — enlightenment —
enlightenment to reach Nirvana.
Now Santa, this present will mean
a lot to them, so try real hard to
reach it for them.
Poor Santa! Please don’t get
angry with me for asking for all
these gifts, but it seems that my
I'M
ehris-hndsi'
friends need so many things to make
them happy this Christmas. You
see, it’s been a hard year. Now let
me see . . . bring Dr. Rose some
apples. I must be more specific.
Bring Dr. Rose eight big red apples.
And while you’re bringing the
apples, put in that little secret for
the freshmen that always seems to
help them through the Odyssey,
science labs, math problems, light
cuts, and other little worries. Bring
them that secret because they are
so special and so nice.
And poor, dear, tired Santa,
please listen to the few more re
quests that I have. Bring the re
ligion department a live sea scroll
to replace the Dead Sea Scroll.
Bring all those people with straight
hair a special set of very deep in-
maculately placed waves. And
please bring the Meredith Angels
in the cafeteria a new and better
“getting out” song.
Well, I guess that’s my list for
this year, Santa. I hope it isn’t too
much to ask, but Santa, I believe
in you!
“Peanut”
Day Student News
By GWEN MADDREY
Day students are busy these days
preparing for Christmas. Heads are
getting together about plans for the
annual day student Christmas
party. Each year it has been our
custom to spend a sleepless night
full of shivering from the cold, play
ing bridge, and just chatting in
the hut the night before we get out
for Christmas holidays. This year
the party is promising to be more
fun than ever with the following
girls working it up: Pat Houser and
Nancy Nylund, refreshments; Hazel
Wiggins, entertainment; Donna El-
ington, Christmas presents; Aimette
Graham, decorations; Peggy Hol
land, arrangements; Nancy Hunter,
I>ublicity, and Janie Moore, clean
up. Miss Helena Williams will join
in the fun with us. With the ex
change of our cute and silly Christ
mas remembrances, this year will
go a prize to the giver of the most
original gift. We invite any prospec
tive day students to join us after
the Christmas caroling.
Calendar Adds Interest
An added attraction in the day
students’ room this year is our
monthly events calendar, which is
the creation of Linda Wall. For a
reminder of campus events stop by
the first day students’ room and
take a peek.
Day Student Joins Dorm Students
One of our freshmen, KoKo
Shaw, has moved on campus to
Vann dorm. Our loss is your gain,
gals.
“Mrs. Club” Plans Pa^
Day students who are privileged
to hold the “MRS” degree already
have been planning Christmas
events also. On December 17 the
“Mrs. Club” win have a party with
their husbands at the home of
Norma Riffe. The officers of the
club are Peggy Holland, president;
Marlene Caulberg, vice-president;
Norma Riffe, secretary-treasurer;
Bobbie Ann Brown, program chair
man, and Erlene Hogan, social
chairman.
P. S. See to it that everyone every
where has a happy Christmas. Make
everyone happy . . . please.
r^sodded
EDETORIAL STAFF
Editor Julia Abernethy
Assistant Editor Bette Nock
Managing Editors—Clara Hudson, Mary Fran Oliver, Bobbie Conley, Jane
Stembridge
Feature Editor Nancy McGlamery
Columnists Nancy Joyner, Kay E. Johnson
Art Editor Mary Jane Sumner
Music Editor Pat Greene
Drama Editor Donnie Simons
Sports Editor.. Juanita Swindler
Photo Editor Corinne Lowery
Day Student Editor ::Becky Surles
Correspondence Editor Pat Kerley
Reporters—Jancey Wellons, Pat Corbett, Ann House, Lela Cagle, Pat
Johnson, Annabel Ray, Jimmie Rucker, Harriet Seals, Jane Manning,
Carolyn Johnson, Belinda Foy
Faculty Sponsor Dr. Norma Rose
BUSINESS STAFF .
Business Manager Nancy Bunting
Advertising Manager Julene McPhaul
Circulation Manager Eleanore Foulds
Assistant Circulation Manager Carole Kerley
Mailing Editors Joyce Hargrove, Diane Stokes
Chief Typist Marlene Caulberg
Advertising Staff—Joyce Foster, Beverly Scott, Faye Locke, Annie Ran-
sone, Frances Fowler, Marlene Clayton, Nancy "Whisnant, Katie Joyce
Eddins, Faye Munn, Mona Faye Horton
Typists Beverly Rowand, Mary Ann Braswell, Linda Grigg, Elizabeth
Grainger, Kay White, Emily Gilbert, Frances Johnson, Shirley Strother,
Elizabeth Hicks
Faculty Sponsor Miss Lois Frazier
Entered as second-class matter October 11, 1923, at post office at Raleigh,
N. C„ under Act of March 8, 1879. Published semi-monthly during the
months of October, November, February, March, April, and May; monthly
during the months of September, December, and January.
The Twig Is the college newspaper of Meredith College, Raleigh, North
Carolina, and as such is one of the three major publications of the institu
tion—the other two being The Acorn, the literary magazine, and The Oak
Leaves, the college annual.
Meredith College is an accredited senior liberal arts college for women
located in the capital city of North Carolina. It confers the Bachelor of Arts
and the Bachelor of Music degrees. The college offers majors in twenty-one
fields including music, art, business and home economics.
Since 1921 the institution has been a member of the Southern Association
of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The college holds membership in the
Association of American Colleges and the North Carolina College Conference.
Graduates of Meredith College are eligible for membership in the American
Association of University Women. The institution is a liberal arts member
of the National Association of Schools of Music.
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