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

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6 THE CLIFTONIAN May I leave you with a thought from the greatest book of all—“So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” ALICE T. COST President’s Address “VOULOIR C’EST POUVOIR” “Vouloir c’est pouvoir” — “where there’s a will there’s a way.” This has been our motto and in all endeavors we have tried to have determination, thus making a way to complete the endeavor successfully. Some years ago a Frenchman named Do Lesseps was assigned a great task— that task was to cut a ditch 72 feet wide across Panama to unite the two great oceans. It was a big order and altho’ De Lesseps had the resources of a great republic back of him, he failed. Twenty-two years later the United States started that same task. General Goethals was sent to Panama and he put it though. With unlimited financial power, the latest discoveries of science and invention, skill and an ample supply of labor, coupled with faith in the plan and an unconquerable spirit, the man cut through the isthmus, two oceans came together, and the world’s commerce passed back and forth in an endless stream. It was a big order, nobly executed. He had a will and by it made a path to success. Our part is to proceed, and trust to good fortune that we will succeed. Away back in the mountains of Western North Carolina, far up on the mountainside, at the head of a cove, there lived a fifteen year old boy. He had sisters and brothers and parents, but they dwelt in a little tumble-down shack and were wretchedly poor. Jake was the oldest of the children, and he had to work hard in the little patch of corn on the steep mountainside, which barely yielded a crop. Down the path a mile or so there was a little log schoolhouse where a lady teacher gave some of the children lessons in readin’, ritin’ and ’rithmetic. Jake had passed and repassed that schoolhouse many times, and wished that he might “go thar and larn,” but Jake was too important a hand on the farm to waste any time at such, thought his parents. One day when the crop was pretty v ell “laid by” Jake came to the shack and throwing his hoe into the corner said: “Paw, I wanta be somebody!” Tnen Jake went on to say that he had been thinking that now the corn was in shape to go ahead and make what it would, he could spend some time every day at the schoolhouse learning to read and write. “But y’ ain’t got nothin’ to buy books” was suggested. “I’ll see ’bout that,” said Jake. Next morning when the teacher arrived Jake was waiting at the school-house door. “Teacher”, he said, “I ain’t got no money to buy books, but I kin git up the wood ev’y day for the stove ’n kin sweep out the schoolhouse ’n keep it clean—cain’t ye loan me a book and let me come and larn?” Jake’s terms were accepted. No boy wa.', ever prouder of a university scholarship than Jake was of that chance to “larn” in the little mountain schoolhouse. That mountain boy had the will and he kept on going until he received a wonderful position in an electrical plant. It takes five figures to name his salary. That mountain boy has realized his wish—he is Somebody. And why? It goes right back to that motto—“where there’s a will there’s a way.” The fellow that gets the good job, the fellow that suddenly finds himself in a position of power and privileged service to his world about him, is the fellow who is found faithful to the smaller work and opportunity that lies next his hand, and proceeds with a will. We have tried to assume this attitude in all our efforts and feel that we have been amply rewarded. For a few years the Class Day has been forgotten as a part of the Com-

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THE CLIFTONIAN 5 We find, by actual figures, that in our high school of 99 pupils, an average of about 84 per cent, has been maintained, this year, as opposed to an average of about 78 or 79 per cent., last year. What has caused this gratifying increase? I feel that school spirit has played a large part, for one must enjoy his work and find his surroundings comfortable and agreeable if he is to put forth his best efforts. Last year, many left school during the first semester. This year, the number has decreased greatly. School spirit and enthusiasm have helped to keep al1 the students interested in their work. The word “sportsmanship” can and should be included in the phrase “school spirit.” In defining school spirit as it refers to athletics, I feel that it means not only willingness and ability to participate in school sports, but also loyalty to the teams and players whether they win or lose. It also includes consideration for the efforts of opposing teams, and courtesy to them and to their schools. A new, and, let us hope, an everlasting friendship has been cemented, this year, in a nearby town. For two generations there has existed traditional ill-will and antagonism. Our teams have found that it is more interesting and, certainly, pleasanter to play baseball and basketball with friends instead of with enemies. Because of this true form of school spirit as displayed by members of our Boys’ Basketball Team and their loyal supporters, our school is the proud recipient of the Sportsmanship Trophy. In addition, due to the ability of the team, we are the possessors of the Championship Cup offered to the winner of B League in the Finger Lakes Section. Athletics is a glorious extra-curricular activity and sportsmanship plays a vital part, but doesn’t sportsmanship extend further than that? This term is certainly applicable to the one who takes the hard knocks ana disappointments without flinching, and the one who is fair and honest in bis daily work. The one who doesn’t play the game squarely may produce apparently satisfactory results, but he has really cheated himself. Sportsmanship also means being faithful in doing each task assigned to us, and trying to derive the most benefit from each lesson. We should also give freely to our teachers and associates of whatever especial ability we may have that will make school a happier and more interesting experience. We can’t all be athletes, we can’t all be on the honor rolls, nor can we all be leaders, but notice the student who is an all-around good sport and you’ll find him the one who makes the one hundred per cent, fellow in later life. So, we find that school spirit in some of its various forms should appear in every worthwhile high school student, if he is to derive benefit from his course of study and his extra-curricular activities. Juniors! We salute you! You have made this year happier for us than it would otherwise have been. We know to what pleasures you are approaching, in your Senior year. Your duties will be increased and your responsibilities will be heavy. But, nevertheless, it should be the best year of your lives, and I feel confident that I am expressing the sentiments of my classmates when I say “Bon Voyage. May you be happy and successful in all your endeavors.” It is impossible to express our gratitude to the Faculty and Board of Education who have assisted in making our years in C. S. H. S. so pleasant and beneficial. My classmates—may you be successful and happy in whatever field of service you enter. Our associations have been pleasant and it is hard to part, but we have many memories to which we may refer. We have helped each other in work and in play. Let us not forget these valuable friendships. So, let us all continue our school work, wherever it may be, for, after all, is not life daily work in the finest of schools?

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THE CLIFTONIAN mencement Program. We have attempted to revive this part of the program, a most essential part, and we hope that it will be a custom of each succeeding Senior Class. M. INGER NEWLAND. IN MEMORIAM RUTH MAY PEISHER September 19, 1911 July 3, 1929 Turning the Pages With j une, ’30 FRESHMAN YEAR One sunny morning in September four years ago, the present class of 1930 together with our comrades who have left our ranks either by desire or necessity (mostly by necessity), collided on the spacious lawn of Clifton Springs High School. A sympathetic sophomore, seeing our distress, told us to wait in the study nail until we were told to do otherwise. We sat in the study hall all day. Finally, we were registered and then, indeed, we thought we were a part of the student body. Unfortunately, however, we were the only ones who did think so. The Sen iors merely looked indulgent and such heavenly phrases as Virgil and Physics floated to us from their lofty heights. SOPHOMORE YEAR After a much needed and much appreciated vacation, we returned to school. Our numbers were greatly depleted, it is true, but we were now the Sophomores. The entire high school force now united to put on a parade advocating a new school. Thanks to the votes that our elequent oratory and picturesque floats resulted in, we now have this wonderful new school, in whi h we l ave been able to spend a most enjoyable year. Most of this year was spent in looking forward to the next eor when we would be Juniors and begin to be of real importance. JUNIOR YEAR The first thing we did in our Junior year was to elect class officers. We really needed a treasurer to take care of all the money we were expecting to earn. The following people were elected: President ...............Marjorie Roth Vice President............. Alice Cost Secretary.................Inger Newland Treasurer...............Dorothy Cornell Class Advisor.............Miss Le Grand Although we were fully equipped with a revenue collector, the first thing we did added to our social laurels instead of to our financial standing. According to school traditions, we entertained the members of the faculty and seniors at a Christmas banquet. After a goodly meal had been consumed, toasts were given. Presents were then distributed by Robert Goodman, who was very cleverly disguised as a modern Santa Claus. Then, feeling the need of replenishing our treasury, we produced “The Trysting Place” and “Suppressed Desires.” Everyone had a “suppressed desire” to obtain standing room only. Miss Shirley Copson added to our evening’s entertainment by giving “The Valiant.” Our efforts were rewarded by having a full house, and, incidentally, by some much-sought specie. By this time the school year was almost over and the Class of ’29 was graduating. We were so glad that they were stepping aside so that we might take their places (Forgive us, dear ’29’rs) that we took them to ' Owasco for a picnic. There was only one thing to mar the complete happiness of everyone—we couldn’t eat all the watermelons. Everyone agreed that the crazy-house and the roller-coaster possessed enough thrills to satisfy the most discriminating person. As Juniors, we had the honor of ushering at the graduation of the Class of ’29. After they had all received their coveted sheepskins, we gave a dance in