Page Two
STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE NEWS LETTER
May, 1956
NEWS LETTER
Published by
STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE
NEWS PRESS CLUB
Elizabeth City, N. C.
Member;
Columbia Scholastic Press Associotion
Editor-in-Chief Curtis Twine
Associate Editor Elsie Sharpe
Feature Editors Marva Thomas,
Vivian Williams, Marie Riddick,
Alelia Koonce
Literary Editors Irene Exum,
Sports Editors Richard Branch,
Osie Robinson, Sterling Lennon
Reporters _ Annie Bailey,
Willie Jenkins, Janice Rogers,
Constance Taylor
Exchange Editors James Leathers,
Henry Fields
Art Editors Lonnie Davis,
Typists Mary Spruill,
Marva Thomas
Managing Editor James Spence
Adviser Edna Mitchell
FOUR BOUNTIFUL YEARS
In a few days, we, the class of Fifty-
Six, will say, Farewell to S.T.C. We
shall join other sons and daughters
who have gone out and who have
achieved nobly for the cause of the
institution.
As we look back and note the many
changes that have occurred since the
beginning of our freshman year, we
can truthfully say that we have wit
nessed an extremely remarkable per
iod in the history of S.T.C. We have
seen improvement in the physical
plant: a Science Hall with all modern
equipment, two new dormitories to
house comfortably faculty members
and students; renovation of Butler
Hall; and lights for the Athletic Field.
Of great importance has been the or
ganization of a Student Council, and
the beginning of sororities and frater
nities.
World events have also been signi
ficant during our stay here. The
Korean Armstice was signed. This al
lowed many former students to re
turn to college, and others to enroll.
This is a fact attested by the number
of veterans now in attendance. In
addition, the historic decision by the
Supreme Court declaring racial segre
gation in public schools unconstitu
tional has been hailed throughout the
nation.
There have been many classes grad
uated from the College, but I think
there will never be one that can evoke
so many pleasant memories as can
the Class of Fifty-Six. We are proud
to have been at S.T.C. in such a time
as this, and I am sure it can be said
that S.T.C. is just as proud as we are.
—A Senior, ‘56
PRESIDENT SPEAKS AT
CLOSING VESPERS
The last Vesper message of the year
was given on May 6 by President
S. D. Williams. He used the Scripture:
“Be still and know that I am God”
as the basis of his address.
Narrowing his subject to the word
“Stop”, the president spoke in a man
ner that challenged his listeners. He
clearly stated that the world is busy;
it is steadily moving, and as a result,
we are obliged to face strenuous com
petition. He declared that as individ
uals we fail to enjoy a number of
wholesome experiences which life has
to offer because we do not stop and
think.
James Spence, a senior and also
native of Camden, North CaroHna, led
the devotions. The Choir rendered
beautifully “He Hatli Been Mindful.”
I
m
LOSHVG yOUR TFMPFR IS 0 GOOD WAY OF SHOlV|N&
yOU'RE NOT GROWIV UP. L-JjAiOS
SENIORS, BEST WISHES
AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU
Commencement will mark a signi
ficant goal in our life plan here at
State Teachers College. We shall leave
the sheltered walls of this institution
to take our places on the highway of
life with thousands of other college
graduates. The competition will be
keen in this transitional age of ours.
It is our hope that the wise use of our
time here through the acquiring of
knowledge and necessary skills has
equipped us for the new role that is
ours.
When we leave our Alma Mater we
will not forget her. Our thoughts,
hopes, and prayers will go with State
Teachers College everyday.
In periods of uncertainty, confusion,
and disillusionment may we be direct
ed to the One whose almighty pre
sence is adequate for every need God
bless each of you.
Yvonne Bland
President Senior Class
INTEGRATION TAKES
NEW TURN
A few days ago the Supreme court
ruled that the court’s May 17, 1954,
decision not only applied to grade
schools and high schools, but to state-
supported colleges and universities as
well.
This action by the Supreme court
caused the University of North Caro
lina to admit three Negro applicants
as undergraduate students.
This piece of legislation was another
step toward desegregation. Let us keep
a watchful eye on integration to see
what will be the next barrier that will
be broken in this country.
—James Spence
JUNIOR ENTERTAIN SENIORS
AT PROM
Members of the Junior Class of
Elizabeth City State Teachers College
delightfully entertained the members
of the Senior Class and a nmnber of
invited guests at their Prom in the
College Gymnasium Friday, May 4.
The Gym was very attractively de
corated with a carnival setting carri
ed out with various colors and pic
tures.
Music was furnished by the Vir
ginia State College Swing Masters.
ARE NEGROES AT
A STANDSTILL?
Today as never before the Negro
is confronted with a problem which
seems not to have a solution. How
ever, there is a solution, and it is not
far away. But somehow we as Negroes
have stopped looking for it. Instead
we have become self-satisfied; we
have become complacent; and, to
make matters worse, we have begun
to rely on the progress, the achieve
ments made by our ancestors.
Negroes today should make twice
as much progress as their ancestors
because of the fact that they are
better educated. Their forefathers had
nothing but the memory of slavery.
Perhaps they did have more because
they believed that God is the maker
of human rights. They believed that
if they were ostracized because they
were uncouth, they could become
mannerly; that if they were segregated
because they were unclean, they could
cleanse themselves, and that if they
were discriminated against because
they lacked knowledge, they could be
come educated. Even with these be
liefs, tliey knew that if they were seg
regated because of race or color, they
would strive even liarder because
these were the natural gifts that had
come from God.
If we as Negroes today are going
to continue to make progress, we
must forget color and this age-old in
feriority complex, and believe that
where the spirit if the Lord is, there
is freedom and hberty. We must think
straight and at all times remember
that in unity there is strength.
Above all, we as Negroes must rea
lize that liberty is not synonymous with
freedom of conscience, but that one’s
conscience is always free, regardless
of external conditions.
—Olando Hill, ’59
GRADUATION
THE THALIA SOROSIS CLUB
ELECTS OFFICERS FOR 1956-57
The Thalia Sorosis Club recently
elected officers for 1956-57. They are:
president, Marva Thomas; vice-pres
ident, Allene Jeffers; secretary, Shirley
Wright; assistant secretary, Carolyn
Mitchell; treasurer, Alelia Koonce.
—Mary Spruill
Graduation is a happy and sad event
for seniors. It is a happy event be
cause it indicates the attainment of a
goal set for us by courageous persons of
great ambition. It is trusted that the
goal has been attained with full mea
sures of devotion to scholarship and
other noble objectives of higher ed
ucation and higher moral standards.
It is sad, however, because we shall
be leaving friends that we shall prob
ably never see again.
It is to be assumed that if we do
not desire to teach, which some of us
will not, we can make worthwhile
contributions in whatever walk of life
we choose because of our previous
training at State Teachers College.
We must realize as we stand on the
threshold of new life that the degree
which indicates the attainment of a
goal must represent a challenge to
meet the new life securely, or it will
be worthless. Now, let us as courage
ous persons face the new life with
assurance, great contributions and
pride.
In conclusion, I say, graduation is
a happy and yet a sad event. It is
happy because it represents new life
for each of us. Reminiscences of the
past bring sadness into our lives as
we stand at the threshold thinking of
friends who are departing. Yet, this
is graduation, classmates.
—Myrtle 0. Johnson
BAND GIVES
ANNUAL CONCERT
The Elizabeth City State Teachers
College Band presented its annual
concert on May 9, in the College
Auditorium under the direction of
Mr. H. Leon Prather.
The program was divided into three
parts. The first part consisted of se
lections arranged by John Phillip
Sousa and excerpts from Ludwig Bee
thoven’s 5th Symphony and a very
popular Choral “Beautiful Savior.
The latter parts were music in a
modernistic mood. These selections
were arranged by contemporary com
posers and a few by the band director,
Mr. Prather. These selections includ
ed “Tea for Two”, “Wish You Were
Here”, “Dark Eyes”, “Embraceable
You”. “I Hear a Rhapsody”, “Eager
Beaver”, “The Littie Rhapsody in
Blue”, “Going Home”, “In a Mon
astery Garden”, “Klaxton March . A
brass sextet did a very popular encore
entitled “Eager Beaver”.
Mr. Prather introduced the four year
members, James Spence and Robert
Bailey.
NEWS LETTER GIVES PARTY
The Newsletter Staff gave a party
Monday night. May -4, in honor of
nine seniors who have worke >
gently for the success of the News
letter. They are: Lonnie Davis, Irene
Exum, James Godfrey, Billy Hodge,
Osie Robinson, Elsie Sharpe, .ames
Spence, Curtis Twine, and
Williams.
Ganres and dancing were enjoye .
after which a repast was served.
Interesting remarks were made ^
graduates. Response was given
James Leathers, editor-in-chief
1956-57.