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

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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

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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 8 their honor at Community Hall. Many of our good friends supported us and we were able to class this as a financial as well as a social success. SENIOR YEAR Although insignificant in size, our class maue a sensational entrance mio the new school last September. At last we were the dignified and honored oENIORS. Ask any Freshman if we didn’t command respect! They should Know—they had to carry our books for a month. How important we felt when a meeting of the Senior Class was called to elect officers. The following were elected: President ............ Inger Newland Vice-President ....... Marjorie Roth Secretary ........... Clifford Wilson Treasurer ............ Dorothy Cornell Class Advisor ............ Mr. Pierson It has been the custom for several years for the Senior Class to give a Halloween party and dance for the rest of the school. And so it was that we had the honor of initiating the new gym to its first school party. Needless to say, everyone had a good time dancing and drinking sweet cider. The footlights again beckoned us and we produced an all-talkie, “The Patsy.” Dot as Patricia and Sid as Tony surely made a big hit with everyone. $235 was realized so we considered our efforts well rewarded. The Juniors then entertained us at a Christmas banquet in the new school. Of course, we all enjoyed this, because, at last, people were beginning to realize how important we really were. What did enlarge our heads, though, was the fact that several of us were asked to give toasts. Finally, the Juniors had come to their senses! In spite of the fact that the tempestuous elements played havoc with our electric light system, we proceeded to consume the various viands by candlelight. When there is food around, nothing like scarcity of light can dampen the spirits of a Senior. Public Speaking in the form of debating now drew us. One section of the class debated, “Resolved, that a cultural education is more advantageous than a vocational education” in Assembly. After the decision was announced, everyone was fully convinced that shorthand gnd typing were quite the thing. The rest of the class chose as their topic, “Resolved, that the Baumes laws be adopted throughout all of the states,” and fought a valiant fight at a P. T. A. meeting. The decision was given to the affirmative team by a large majority. Why, the boys aian’t have a chance against the girls, when it came to arguing! The lures of travel seized us at 5 A. M. April 18th, so we packed our bags and departed for Washington at 9:45. As soon as we were established in the Annapolis, we proceeded to get acquainted and to learn everyone’s room number for telephone conversations later. The “dicks” still tremble with fear if they hear anything that sounds like a Senior, for instance, an ambulance siren or a tornado. In spite of the fact that Mr. Pierson had considerable trouble getting all of us out of the zoo, the trip was a complete success. A delegation from the class journeyed to Rochester to attend an auction to buy our present for the school. Mr. Pierson conducted a voice test to see who had the healthiest yell— Sid won. The Juniors feeling flush with money and wishing to do honor to the noble Seniors, invited us to a picnic at Owas-co. We will say this much for the Juniors— they surely know the right way to a Senior’s heart—I’m referring to the food they gave us. Our next attempt was our Class Night. After much controversy everything was arranged. My tale is almost told. All of you know the ending. We now depart for the cruel, outside world. Well, shed a tear for the good times we have had together. May the memory of them ever linger with us. MARJORIE ROTH. Some love two, some love three, I love one, and that one’s me.