Phillips High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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The Mirror Birmingham OPEN DOORS The door of learning is open wide For our future. Many have passed through who willed and tried To gain culture. So we can learn to live with grace, For there are no doors that bar; Any of us with up-turned face Can walk and walk afar. —Mary Elizabeth McLester APPROACH TO BIRMINGHAM The approach to the City of Steel is indeed an entrance to a City of Magic. Towering high on the top of Red Mountain stands Vulcan, which one beholds as he climbs the steep ascent. With ever watchful eyes, he guards the riches of both mountain and valley. The torch in his hand beckons the traveler into his kingdom. Upon the threshold the stranger gasps with amazement at the view before him. The twinkling lights, the flashing signs and the red flicker of the western sky fill him with awe. Descending the mountain, he is dazzled by the lights playing “hide and seek between the branches of the trees. The spire of Highland Methodist Church rises heavenward from the tree tops, and the chimes peal out rhythmically above the confusion of noises. It is six o’clock. The bark of the automobile, the clang of the street car, and the merry laughter of children make the traveler realize that he is not in a trance, but entering one of the South’s most progressive cities. On either side well-trimmed lawns arc made visible by the street lights. The glow from the windows of the residences seems to send out a welcome, and the reverent attitude of the statue of our beloved Brother Bryan seems to bestow a blessing on all who enter the city. 'I'he white way guides one onward—a beacon beckoning one with its brilliance; tali buildings rise against the horizon. Many colored lights flash on and off. The rumble of trains, the dark underpass and the cries of newsboys announce the entrance to the heart of Birmingham. —Mincy Brcckenridgc BIRMINGHAM HOMES Birmingham is an industrial city. How often we have heard this statement and gloried in this fact. Yet Birmingham is a cultural center as well. It is too often true that people who know only a little about a city reach conclusions too hastily; such has been the fate of Birmingham. People have heard of our many industries, and our industrial progress, but those who have visited the residential sections of our city are convinced that in the midst of this busy center much culture thrives. A visitor need only drive through the residential sections to verify this statement. Some of Birmingham’s most beautiful homes have won national recognition [25]

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The Mirror SONGS OF STEAM I’m frail, you say, light and airy? Yet powerful weights you make me carry; For I make the wheels go ’round, Ships to move, whistles sound! I’m the stuff that moves the world! And I make the heat to flame, The force behind the worker’s game. I’m a conqucrer of Man! I’m a conquercr of steel and storms and Man! —Pauline Thomas THOUGHTS Thoughts while strolling, while sitting and dreaming; Thoughts like the wind, like the stars or the rain; Thoughts of the high nobility, Thoughts of the peasant clan; Thoughts of a whimsical young girl, Thoughts of a robust young man; Eternal thoughts of generations past. Where are you now? —Pauline Thomas VAGABOND A country road, God’s vagabond, It tramps awhile, then stops To smell a gold tipp’d golden rod, To listen to the South-wind talk. —Pauline Thomas SIMPLICITY Through auroral mists at dawning, Rising slowly over the bay, Even before the birds take warning Comes the sun to light the way. Just as in the great Beginning, God created man and beast, Things done calmly, simply, surely, Arc not numbered among the least. [24] —Pauline Thomas

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T h E Mirror and admiration bv architects and designer . Vestavia” is typical. The pattern is a fifth century Roman Temple, the style is absolutely modern. 'This home situated on Shades Mountain has spacious grounds, famous for walls of roses, sunken gardens, and pea cocks no less magnificent than the house. Many homes in Birmingham are distinctive because they are made of native stone. These houses have early American exteriors with rustic interiors. The huge stone fireplaces, an outdoor grill, and a basement cave add charm. Not only single houses but entire sections merit praise. The Mountain Brook section is noted for its development of fine homes in expansive, natural settings— homes retaining the southern motif but with every modern innovation. Great variety of architecture abound—Norman, Spanish, Mediterranean, and others. It is evident that Birmingham is becoming known as a city of lovely homes. —Opal Freeman MUSIC IN BIRMINGHAM Birmingham is otic of the musical centers of the south. It has made great advancement for i s age. The well-known critic, Chalmers Lowell Pancoast, cited Birmingham as being the city which made the greatest progress in musical education in the year 1936. Many efforts are being made by its citizens to make this city more music-conscious. In the schools students are given every opportunity to learn to appreciate music. Children begin the study of music in the first grade with their little hands and continue the study of i: throughout their school life. In every school the students have an opportunity to learn to play some instrument. As the child goes from grammar school into high school, he is given more opportunities. There are the orchestras; hands, which belong to the National Band Association; A Capella Choir and Glee Clubs. This city was the first in America to teach high school pupils to take an active part in the actual production of the finest operas written in the Fnglish language. 'The Gilbert and Sullivan operettas arc favorites of both those who attend the performances. and those students who participate in them. Also the Glee Clubs and Bands of the two colleges arc considered very good. No: only in schools hut also in churches arc efforts being made to offer music to the residents of this city. There are a large number of excellent church choirs here toe. Nearly a!I the churches in this city present a pageant or program at Christmas. Still other organizations are striving to satisfy the Birmians love for music. One of these is the Apollo Boys Choir. These boys sang for President and Mrs. Roosevelt at Warm Springs, Georgia and for the Vienna Choir Boys visiting here. The hoys were highly commended, the director of the Vienna Choir saying the intonation was as nearly perfect as he had ever heard in any American choir. Also, there arc two choral societies: the Handel Choral Society, only recently organized, has already presented the oratorio '‘Elijah’’ and “The Messiah’’ and the Birmingham Choral Society which presented Hayden’s “The Seasons and will sing with the Symphony Orchestra in April. This Birmingham Civic Symphony Orchestra is presenting five concerts for our people this season, with a special number on each program. Also the Music Study Club has done much to make Birmingham more musical minded. Through this club many outstanding musicians are brought here as reasonable prices. 'Through their efforts there has been a Civic Opera Association organized which promises the residents of this industrial center grand opera. So we see that although Birmingham is a great industrial city, it is also one of the most music-minded cities in the United States. —Caroline Winston [26J