Central High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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THE clubs and societies of the High School have proved a never-failing factor in adding interest to school life. Most pupils belong to some organization. The Commercial. Spanish. Dramatic. Glee and Kuterpcan Clubs have aided materially in regular work along their particular lines. Who can overestimate the use of these societies? The Literary Clubs, as usual, have had great influence on the social life and literary interest of the students. The joint debates this year were especially good. These occasions are most important in the life of C. II. S. They induce prominent citizens to come to our school, they stir up lively spirits among the student body, and they give club members a chance to increase their ability as statesmen. The first debate of the year was on the question, Resolved, That the Present Convict System Should Be Abolished. The affirmative was upheld by Mr. Cmsted Pitts of the Curry, and Miss Alva i.owrey of the Clio; the negative by Mr. Julien Saks of the Yancey, and Miss Mary Griggs of the Pierian. The former were declared victors. The last debate was one of much life and interest. The subject on this occasion was, Resolved. That the Present Tax Rate of Birmingham Should Be Raised.” Mr. Tinsley Harrison debated for the Yancey, with Miss Beryl Rogers for the Aglaia; against Mr. John Townsend of the Hilliard and Miss Bertha Engel of the Clio. The judges gave the victory to the affirmative. ♦ As we go to press, the Girls’ Oratorical Contest has not yet taken place, but each of the clubs has held its preliminary contest and has chosen its representatives. The girls are all thinking by day and dreaming by night of the great day. THE CLIO This spring the Clio has prospered greatly, ami has enjoyed many pleasant trips over the United States. The study of Birmingham was especially interesting. The girls visited many parts of the city and learned a number of interesting jjoints about the social, industrial, and historical life of the city in which most of the girls have been reared. Other cities were visited. A most delightful clay was spent in Atlanta, where we recalled several scenes of the Civil War 33

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li NO, INDEED, fairies are not dead. The world is as full of fairies toda as ii was in the time of Cinderella’s pumpkin coach—that is just as full of beautiful, bright things that make men wonder and imagine. I shall even venture to say that this age is more delightful than any preceding one. for now plain, everyday men really do what fairies were formerly supposed to do. Once one of Mother Goose’s little girls wished that she were somewhere else . She fell asleep and awoke miles away in the longed-for retreat. I, who am not even a remote descendant of Mother Goose, have slept away three? hundred and sixty miles. There was a lime when I devoutly believed in the magic |»ower of Snow-White’s mirror. At a later time, it seemed like a wild stretch of human imagination. Now I think it is too trivial for any consideration. My next door neighbor. without the aid of a witch or her charm, but for the fee of a little needle extracts the most wonderful music from a box. He has but to communicate his preference to this box and he may hear, “Twinkle. Twinkle Little Star, My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose,’’ or “Nearer, My ('.od to Thee” sung by beautiful voices—sometimes of people long since in the land of spirits. In the I .and of the Living, some benevolent fairies have arranged wonderful communication. Friends miles apart may chat to their heart’s content. Sometimes a magic wire carries the warm words, but very often little fairies themselves roll the sound waves into balls and toss them from hand to hand. There is no doubt in the world that Cinderella's God Mother was wonderfully clever to make horses out of rats, and neither is there ail) doubt that the Ford Manufacturing Company traffics in black magic when it makes coaches that go without any horses whatever. Not long ago, I was waiting in one of these horseless coaches, in front of a hotel, when suddenly the sidewalk yawned and up came a trunk. In a subterranean passage, an Aladdin, attired in blue overalls, with a button, instead of a wonderful lamp, had pressed this button with a smooty thumb and Sesame had opened. Pretty Polly Gookin’s father was no more surprised by the dancing devils on Fcathertop’s pipe, than I was by a sight that I saw last summer. A strange girl had come to Sunday School -yes, to Sunday School, in her best clothes, and with the Golden Text on her lips. During the perusal that always greets strangers, I was shocked to notice figures on her card case, spinning around and around. They were going so fast that I could not distinguish their forms. I was almost exasperated when I noticed that the figures were going more slowly and that the electric fan had almost stopped. Whether this is fact or fiction, foolishness or science, whether Mother Rigby’s glowing coal was more powerful than Edison's brilliant blaze. I leave to you. “But clo you believe in fairies?” Mary Griggs, M5. 32

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and heard a story by Uncle Remus. The visit to Baltimore was unusually interesting, as. on our trip to (ioucher College, a former student described college life as she had experienced it. The C ity of Brotherly I.ove was a beautiful place. The street scenes and the Independence Hall are things which are always to la- remembered, and the centennial grounds of 187fi was a novel place to all. In the great city of New York, an afternoon was spent in the theaters, where ample amusement was afforded the visitors. Although the Clio was defeated in the semi-annual joint debate, she will not give up and say I can't.’ but will strive harder the next time to achieve success. In the preliminary. May the third. Miss Alva Low rev and Miss Bertha Engel were chosen to represent the club in the Joint Oratorical. The girls have been very loyal and have rallied to whatever task has been placer! before them. Many afternoons which might have been passed in amusement have been spent in seeking “Ads for the Mirror. Is not this a splendid club spirit? • • THE EUTERPEAN The Kuterpcan Club has been hard at work on the music for the spring concert. The cantata to be presented this year is On Shore and Sea. by Sir Arthur Sullivan. A miscellaneous program is to be given before the cantata, in which several attractive choruses will be sung by members of the Boys' Glee Club and the Kuterpcan. There will also be a few solos. All expect the entertainment to be one of the best that the club has ever given. I pon the withdrawal of the president of the Kuter| ean from school, the club elected Hugh Duncan to that office for the latter part of the term. • THE PIERIAN lor the Pierian, this year has been one of success. The study of the Modern Drama proved to be exceedingly interesting and broadening. The evolution of the drama was traced: and the stars were studied from the viewjjoini both of art and personality. The Oratorical Preliminary was held on April the thirtieth, and a number of excellent selections were given. The judges—like all judges- found great difficulty in making their decision. They gave Miss Dorothy Wilson first place. Miss Lee Ola Shannon second place, and Miss Emma Stockmar honorable mention. The dub places all confidence in its representatives and is anticipating the Oratorical ('ontest with much enthusiasm. Although there are many graduates among the Pierian members, there are still many earnest and Capable girls who will return next year to accomplish even greater success. • THE DRAMATIC CLUB The year just passed lias been one of achievement for the Dramatic Club. This may indeed be called a banner year, for each production which has been placed before the critical eye of the public has gained its admiration. 34