From the Archives

Swimming Classes at the French Place Campus, (ca 1956)

The Shield, Fall 2012

SMH physical education teacher Beatrice Snydelaer, leads a group of SMH students in a water safety/life saving class during spring swim class. Ms. Snydelaer, is demonstrating the “how to’s” of maneuvering a limp, water-logged person from the pool. In this case, Mary Ellen Kibby, acts as the person in need of help.

Students were required to wear the black wool swimsuits and hard rubber swim caps when taking swim class. At the time, they were considered to be more prim and proper than any other swimwear. The suits weren’t practical though, because when they got wet, they became heavy and fell off their owners!

Students pictured with Ms. Snydelaer (l to r): unidentified student, unidentified student, Suzanne Stokes, Mary Ellen Kibby Payne ('58), Dorothy Pflughaupt, and Betty Dittmar.

Special thanks to the following SMH community members for sending us picture details: Mary Ellen Kibby Payne (Class of 1958) and Sally "Sally" Matthews Buchanan (Class of 1960).