The Campus mirror. (Atlanta, Georgia) 1924-19??, December 15, 1933, Image 4
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The Campus Mirror
Enduring Tributes to
Lucy Hale Tapley
Margaret Stewart, ’35
Someone has said, “To live in the hearts
we leave behind, is not to die.” Miss Tap-
ley could not with a lifetime of conscious
effort have built more enduring monuments
than those that were unveiled in the
memorial service for her on Thanksgiving
Day. Memorials built of stone Avill even
tually become disfigured and crumble away;
but one’s influence, that peculiar part of
one’s self which gradually becomes in
delibly impressed and woven into the life-
patterns of others—this sort of memorial
is time-proof.
As one after the other of Miss Tapley s
friends and associates rose to pay their
tributes to her memory, it seemed that a
curtain was being raised and a glimpse of
the past afforded those of this younger
generation who are benefiting by the stead
fastness, perseverance, and the unswerv
ing faith of those early teachers and stu
dents who laid the foundation on which
we now build.
The present recedes for the moment, the
curtain lifts and a line of some of those
first students pass one of the buildings
where a tall, slender lady stands outlined
in the doorway. Their searching eyes find
what seems to be an austere mien; but
they are vividly impressed with a sense of
the power of her impelling personality.
The scene changes and a timid young girl
is seen wandering uncertainly in the cor
ridor of one of the class-room buildings.
While she looks helplessly about, Miss Tap-
ley appears and directs her to the right
room. The girl later finds that this is
characteristic of Miss Tapley the woman,
just as her ability to untangle knotty prob
lems is characteristic of Miss Tapley the
teacher.
Again the scene changes. Miss Tapley
and one of the older members of the com
munity go down the walk arm in arm, the
student endeavoring to adjust her leisurely
gait to that of the more active northerner.
This is merely an outward expression of
her more significant attempt to respond
to Miss Tapley \s suggestive challenge to
bring out her own innate sense of the fit
ness of things. Such teaching is especially
satisfactory; for it not only accomplishes
its aim, but it leaves the learner his self-
respect. Without a doubt, Miss Tapley s
influence on those whom she served grew out
of their confidence* in the genuineness of
her regard for them.
Here then, was a woman, a born leader,
daughter of “sea-faring folk"; one who
knew when and how to restrain or draw
out; a teacher who practiced the principles
which she taught; an administrator who,
with all her business, had time to make
herself understood by those with whom
and for whom she worked, whose firmness
was “shot through” with kindness; and
all in one, a friend, who gave herself, fully
and wholly.
We who only hear of her, truly rejoice
that it was Miss Tapley who came in
answer to our people's need.
The Campus At Christmas
Blanche Robinson, ’37
Spelman College students witness a quick
ening of spirit as the yuletide season ap
proaches. Some of them are expecting to
go home, and, of course, the students who
are away from home their first time can
hardly wait. But, the students who will
spend their holidays on the campus need
not be disappointed, because everything will
be done to make their Christmas holidays
happy ones.
Usually, students who are planning to
rest during the holidays find themselves
taking part in the Christmas program and
doing all in their power to make the spirit
of 'Christmas prevail in every heart.
Truly, Christmas carols are beautiful
songs, but they are especially so when they
are sung by Spelman College students. At
the entrance of the campus, the tree is
decorated with red, white, and blue lights.
The students gather about this tree and sing
Christmas carols. The colored lights shin
ing through the darkness add to the sacred
ness of this occasion.
For the student who has not seen much
of Atlanta, the observation trips prove
most interesting. One cannot help but en
joy viewing the Christmas decorations on
some of the houses in certain sections of
the city. The student who is thrilled by
elaborate decorations cannot help becoming
enthusiastic over the artistic talent dis
played.
Care is taken to provide enjoyment for
students whose interests are varied. Ath
letes may have their fling. Hikes and games
form a part of the holiday program. The
candle-light service is planned to interest
those who find enjoyment in reading poems
and literature. For those who enjoy giv
ing and receiving Christmas gifts, a Christ
mas tree is placed in each hall, and the
students may place their gifts on the tree.
On Christmas Eve night the gifts are dis
tributed among the students. Although the
gifts are not expensive, it is the spirit
with which they are given that makes the
receiver happy.
If every student enters into the program
for the Christmas holidays with the same
spirit with which it is planned, there is no
doubt that it will be one of the most en
joyable holidays of the year.