Birmingham Chapter Meeting

The Birmingham chapter of Mississippi's First Alumnae Association met January 15, 2011 to hear fellow alumna Jimmie Meece Moomaw read from her new book Southern Fried Child.  Pictured are left to right, front row: Alice Michelle Roberts '01 and Kaye Howard Smith '91; back row - Charlotte Dale McQueen Thornton '69, Roberta Shelton Atkinson '68, Shirley Rutherford Spain '64, Jimmie Moomaw '58, Erin Goia '07, Jo Nell Hales '57, Betty DeBay Hull '64 and Jane Mansell Chamberlain '66.,

Holiday Memories: Christmas Concerts

I never, ever missed the chorale Christmas program at the W!!! I was there on a Scholar's Day or other preview day my senior year of high school, and I went every year following. I would continue to go, if possible. They always did such a wonderful job, and the campus is so beautiful when decorated for Christmas!
Carrie Pate, 2007

I was in the Chorale and Madrigal Singers while at the W. The Christmas Concert was always the most awe-inspiring evening. Poindexter would be decked out with a poinsettia tree, garlands, lights and wreaths---it was so beautiful! Bruce Lesley was the director at that time and he loved to open the Christmas Concert with either the Madrigals or the Chorale singing a processional around the audience. The music would just envelop the entire hall of Poindexter and give you chills to hear. One year I remember singing "Masters in the Hall" and another year we sang "Nowell, Nowell" around the packed audience. As beautiful and glorious as the opening of the concert was and the wonderful pieces sung throughout the concert the highlight was always the end of the concert when the Chorale would lead the audience by candlelight over to Welty Hall singing "Silent Night" and then sing "Joy to the World" and maybe a couple more selections from the bottom floor of the atrium with the audience standing in the balconies---absolutely the most amazing and beautiful sounds. Refreshments would be served afterwards. Truly, one of the best ways to start the Christmas Season.
Anghaarad Teague Dees '95

I cannot remember the year (probably 1987), but one Christmas all the social clubs made ornaments and garland and strung popcorn and decorated a huge Christmas tree on the stage in Poindexter. Candles were lit all around the balcony area. There was a wonderful Christmas program with really nice music. I was in New Horizons and I remember singing from the balcony and I loved the way the sound floated around.....Poindexter never looked better! We sang a lot of the beautiful Christmas church music with the choir and Dr. Dorough. New Horizons sang the Carpenters "Merry Christmas, Darling," and it ended a capella - it was a beautiful blend of voices. Though I have sung many times since in a multitude of church programs and even I later sang in the Singing Christmas Tree outdoors at Belhaven, that Christmas memory at the W is the one I think of more than any other. It was magical!
Donna Ford Lyon, 1991


We had various club Christmas activities & even some dorm activities some years. But, the only things that stand out for me are out of the Music Department. Christmas Vespers, Dr. Graves' choirs, Dr. Swingle's choirs, like that. And, every year I loved whatever any group from the Music Department had to offer & continued to enjoy whatever that was after graduation whether I was living in Columbus or in Tupelo.

Also, the W had an Invitational Tournament, Basketball, and I enjoyed it every year, and attended after graduation as much as before, while living both in Columbus and in Tupelo.
Donna L. Bridges

One of my favorite memories of Christmas at MUW was the Glee Club, under the direction of Dr. Matson, presenting a Christmas program in Whitfield Auditorium. All of us in Glee Club walked down the two aisles together singing Hodie Chirstus Natus Est. Then we presented a whole concert of Christmas music. With all of us in white evening dresses and beauty of the music, it was really beautiful.
Francis Hairston, c/o 1961

I remember when the Glee Club had to be in the Columbus Christmas parade. We had to walk and sing--all the while nearly freezing to death! It was still fun though. I just remember doing this once. (Maybe Dr. Matson decided it was too cruel to make us do it again. On second thought, maybe HE didn't want to do it again!)
Carolyn Dick Spiers - 1965

Holiday Memories: Oh Christmas Tree

Lydia Coffey Pierce and Brittany Herndon show off the winning tree

A holiday memory I have from the W is the Festival Of Trees held at the gazebo. Student organizations would decorate a real tree, usually with a theme. There would be hot chocolate, cookies, and prizes for first, second, and third trees. 

My senior year I participated with my social club, the Lockhearts. We decorated our tree with a "Go Green" theme. We used toilet paper and paper towel rolls to make angels. We used coke cans to make snowmen and Santa Claus and toilet paper for "garland." We shredded used computer paper to make tinsel. A really creative Lockheart made a tree topper out of coke cans! And to top it off, we won first place!! Our first time to place in a long time. At least in my 4 years as a Lockheart. :) Lydia Coffey Pierce, 2009

Back to School: Teacher Profile--Lynne Lott Schneider

The W has always been known for producing superior teachers.  One of them is Lynne Lott Schneider, Class of 1991, from New Hebron, MS.  While at MUW, Lynn was involved with Silhouettes, Jesters, SGA, SAA Ambassadors, Hottentots, and Spectator

Lynne is now teaching high school English and Journalism,  and acting as advisor to the school newspaper at Murrah High School in Jackson.  While she was not an education major, Lynne believes her degree in Journalism has gone a long way in helping her to teach writing and advise publication staffs.  All of the activities and organizations at the W helped her be able to lead and to communicate with students effectively. Also, said Lynne, "Pledging both a 4-year and a 2-year helps with being cool under pressure. Those mean paddle line faces we used come in handy with unruly students, too!"

According to Lynne, "The best part of teaching is running into former students and hearing about their successes, or having them tell me that something I told them made a difference in their lives.  The time spent with current students is also rewarding, but nothing beats having proof that your job has made a difference in someone's life."  However, she complains "I have a real hard time with the bureacracy and 'red tape' of working for a large public school district. The wheels sometimes just move too slowly, and teachers have very little power to make them move any faster.  That gets pretty frustrating at times."