Clifton Springs High School - Cliftonian Yearbook (Clifton Springs, NY)

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12 THE CLIFTONIAN The CLIFTONIAN THE STAFF Alice Cost ......... Editor-in-Chief Marjorie Roth..............Associate Editor Catherine Walters..Sports Editor Alice Millei Business Managers Nan Quigley Alice Weimer ........Joke Editor Sidney Wheat ....... Senior Reporter Regina Remery ...... Junior Reporter Louis Mark ...... Sophomore Reporter George Record .... Freshman Reporter CRITICISM This is the second annual edition of “The Cliftonian.” We, the members of the staff, hope that you, the readers, consider our efforts even more successful this year than last. It is the aim and tradition that each new staff try to produce better results than the preceding one. Nevertheless, we anticipate and desire criticisms and suggestions concerning this issue. There are two kinds of criticism— constructive and destructive. One can and should receive a great deal of the former and some of the latter. The type of criticism known as constructive shows one his mistakes and suggests improvements, while destructive criticism merely shows him his mistakes and, in no way, attempts to help him improve. “The Cliftonian” and its staff need criticism. We would prefer the constructive form for that will be of assistance to the staff of “The Cliftonian” to be issued in June 1931. THE EDITOR SOUL OF A POET “Oh, lift me as a wave, a leaf, a cloud' I fall upon the thorns of life! I bleed! A heavy weight of hours has chained and bowed One too like thee—tameless, and swift, and proud.” Although these lines are written very accurately according to rhyme rules, I shall not discuss that. I shall try to bring out what the lines mean to me. I think they portray a very sensitive soul—a soul alive to all the beauty of nature and the exquisite, though painful helplessness of human beings. The first line shows that Shelley’s soul longs to rise on the breezes and float in everlasting bliss, away from the petty strife and turmoil of life. These lines, somehow, make me believe that Shelley was not an atheist, but had a very beautiful religion of his own. The next line tells us that Shelley realized the utter hopelessness of his wish. He could not float above the drab, sordid things of life—he must recognize them. What does he call these things?—“the thorns of life.” That is very well expressed, is it not? In the next line, he says that time has bound him down so that he cannot soar with the wind. We realize how well Shelley knew himself as he likens himself to the wind and says that he is “tameless, and swift, and proud.” These lines impressed me very much when I read them, as I recognized that they were vital and precious to Shelley. In these lines, we have a brief glimpse of the soul of the great poet, Shelley. M. ROTH LOST WORLDS Some people are so set in their idea that being good consists in being obscure that their eyes are never opened throughout their lives to the arts they excel in. They may never come to know the pleasures of indulging in sports, music, dancing, or some special line that may have been in reality the heart of what could have meant success. Often this is caused by fear of public ridicule or a narrow outlook on life. Some people get the idea that they, themselves, could never really excel in anything. They believe someone else will always be a little better and therefore refrain from “showing themselves up”—as failures. How many geniuses have we lost through such a spirit? One guess is as good as another! A. WEIMER

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fliiM i:i ii mm mn • v. i 3 » 8 883 $ 8 388 3 «3 % A • A A A a'a'a'a'a . !v; « ■•■Xvavi High upon the green hill Stately and firm it stands, Ready its promise to fulfill, Raised by dreams and hands. TO THE NEW SCHOOL Memorial of students past, Goal of those to come Our new school is real at last— Alive with busy hum. V I'M 'flili fill! So here’s to the new school Best wishes for success May all its years of rote, and rule Be crowned with happiness. D. CASE, ’29. THE CLIFTONIAN

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THE CLIFTONIAN 13 THIS SOCIAL WHIRL!! ENGLISH BANQUET Following an established custom of C. S. H. S. the English III class entertained the English IV class and the high school faculty at a banquet at Christmas time. It was held in the domestic science room which was decorated in the Christmas colors. After the dinner several toasts were given by Mr. Williams, Mr. Pierson and some of the members of the English classes, Dorothy Brown acting as toast mistress. Then Santa appeared on the scene and distributed gifts to the guests. Each guest read the verse tied to his present. These proved to be very appropriate and amusing. After singing a few carols the guests departed, saying they had had a most enjoyable evening. The members of the English III class felt well satisfied with their efforts and are living in the hope that next year they will be the entertained and not the entertainers. TEACHER’S RECEPTION On Thursday, September 19th, the Board of Education and the Parent-Teacher Association held a party for the school faculty, in the Gymnasium. Merm Knauss’ orchestra furnished music for dancing and there were several tables of cards. Refreshments were served and everyone had an enjoyable time. THE LELANDS’ PARTY After the members of the cast of the Senior Play, “The Patsy,” had undergone the combined torture and pleasure of making the stage debut of their fourth year, they were happy to accept an invitation. Mr. and Mrs. Leland had invited them and their friends to dance and eat, and especially to eat, at their heme. About forty people danced to radio, piano, victrola, and quartette music. And they ate sandwiches and drank punch when they weren’t dancing. After many cordial reminders to come again, and a vociferous yell of “Two, four, six, eight” for the Lelands, everyone departed, happy and smiling. OUR HOO-DOO PARTY The first social party in the new gymnasium was a Hallowe’en dance given by the Senior Class. After much hard work on the part of the Seniors, the gym was appropriately decorated. One of the Juniors reported that the Seniors had little if any dignity when seen in Frank’s an d Orville’s cars out after cornstalks and pumpkins. However, they really were quite thoughtful in not taking everything from the same farm. Cider and doughnuts were served in the Domestic Science room. Very delightful music was furnished by Wheeler’s Merrymakers. Everyone, even the Freshmen, had a good time. A grand march led by Dot and Marj resulted in the award of prizes to Alice Miller and Mary Conway. The Seniors tell us that their party was a success financially as well as socially. May this custom be continued by posterity. THE JUNIOR DANCE One of the outstanding social events of the school year was the Junior Dance, held the Tuesday after Easter, April 22. The hall was beautifully decorated in yellow and white. The “Waterfall Echoes” furnished the music. Everyone had such a good time that the Juniors felt amply repaid for all their hard work. P. T. A. DANCE AND CARD PARTY On February 28, the Parent-Teacher Association gave a dance and card party. The dancing was in the gymnasium and card tables were provided for those who wished to play cards in the kindergarten. There wei'e about two hundred people who attended. Light refreshments were served to the patrons in the Domestic Science room.