The V-8's of Mount Holyoke College (circa 1982)

Members: Laurie Marshall '82 (President), Susan Rutherford '82, Coleen Shannon '82,
Amy Light '82 (Business Manager), Janine Rieling '82 (Musical Director), Allison Horton '82,
Abby Wolff '82, Debbie Grant '84, Toni Halleen '84, Julie Horton '84, Paula Strano '83, Lisa Bromfield '83

The love of music and weaving harmonies shared by eight women led to the debut of the V-8's in 1942. They chose "V" for Victory, and the name became a lasting reminder of the group's wartime origin.

The V-8's originally sang for their own enjoyment, but once the Mount Holyoke campus heard their first public performance in the Junior Show of '42 the group was in demand, providing unique entertainment for their own and nearby college communities. The V-8's also brought their music to Westover Air Force Base, which inspired "a V-8 tion" as the fifth V-8 album. [It is actually the seventh V-8 album.]

The number of members has fluctuated over the years, scheduled concerts now include all corners of New England and beyond, and concert dress is no longer formal evening wear. But what has transcended the years is a high standard of musical performance and the constant dedication that made possible our 40th anniversary celebration. The V-8's of 1982 take pride in perpetuating a musical Mount Holyoke tradition.