Phillips High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

Page 31 text:

T he Mirror President’s Message OUR CITY: THK CHANGING POLITICAL ERA It is with joy that we note that some of the nation- of the world are losing their nationalism and are becoming states in that international land, Esperantos, where is spoken the language of love and friendship. We are glad that certain countries are not arguing independence and “states’ rights theories as intensely as formerly. On the contrary, they are uniting to form “more perfect” unions, as evidenced by the better defense united China is making against Japan. But, primarily, we Seniors arc interested in the development of our cities, for they touch us more intimately than any state or nation. In the infancy of the United States there were few cities: consequently, there was little need for efficient local government. Today, since our country has leaped in its boundaries from the Appalachians to the Pacific, towns and cities have sprung up everywhere. These communities soon developed their own body politic: but. with these administrations came unscrupulous politicians who cared not for the people’s needs, bur out only for their own gain. Big political machines such as Tammany Hall, the Tweed Ring, and the Gas Ring arose in the larger cities from the banding together of such politicians. During the latter part of the nineteenth century', however, citizens, aroused against these groups, united to break up at least a few of the rings. The feeling for cleaner and wiser government has spread during the early days of this, the twentieth century, so that most of the other ignoble officials have been pushed out of the way. Nobler thoughts and emotions on the part of the people of the cities have brought about improvement in municipal government. The time has come when we, the office-holders of to-morrow, must do our part toward making an America of better-governed cities. When we as young men and women approach the threshold of life, we shall find many reforms still to be made. To complete the reformation, we must use the practical sanity of sound thinking and let prophetic wisdom guide our franchise. To hope for success in achieving our high ideals, wc the members of the graduating class of 19.18, must capture the spirit of truth, faith, and self-reliance. Truth, faith, and self-reliance make an intrinsic nobility by which we young men and women must make a “new era in the governing life of our times. On! Up I Boot and saddle! Give purs to your steeds, • There’s a city beleaguered that cries for men’s deeds. For faith that is strength and love that is God On, through the dawning! Humanity calls! Life’s not a dream in clover! On to the walls, on to the walls, on to the walls and over! —Homer Haisten [29]

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Class or January, 1938 MOTTO: Auspicium melioris aevi Prophecy of a better age. FLOWER: Chrysanthemum COLORS: Gold and Blue President .. ..... Homer Howard Haistcn, Jr. Vice-President ............................................ James Wade Battles Secretary ........................................... Eleanor Elizabeth Longcrier Treasurer Carlcne Dot Bozeman Orator ..... Irving R. Obenchain Pianist Mary Ellen Jackson oculist Sara Johnson Reedy Poet .............. ........................................ Vida Mac Hancock dr list Janie Roberta Strickland Violinist ... Mary Joann Levey Miss Vcrplanck. Sponsor Lucy Murl Estes Miss Rowe, Sponsor Jimmie Cruse COMMITTEES RING Mildred Stansell, ('.hairman Hugh Hawk Virginia Evins INVITATION • John Shat field. Chairman Julia Cooper Walter Anderson Miss Senn. Sponsor Virgil Sandcfcr Miss Comer, Sponsor Ruthc Griffith MOTTO Joe Morrison, Chairman Ernestine Bazemorc COLOR AND FLOWER Dorothy Broadhead YEAR1K X k Miss Ellis, Miss Beard, Sponsors Caroline Winston Homer Haistcn Bart Traywick, Chairman Harrv Baker John Shaffield, Chairman Barbara Ella Reeves [28]

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The Mirror SENIOR CLASS POEM OUR CREED When lessons of school arc stoutly won, And the braver tasks of life begun. Wc are confident we shall succeed If wc follow our noble creed: To live and love. In the distance, the peaks stand high To pierce the open-vaulted sky And challenge us. If we but valiant be. We’ll live discerningly. Nothing can dim our sight; Alertly, from left to right We’ll look—and try To free our minds from haze Of dark, uncertain days. To free our hearts from petty hates of life That nurture and engender strife. Then the heart is high; And when opportunity, broad and free Does come to you and me, We can sec the gleam and pleasure Of all the world’s gay treasure, And bv persistent skill Work out high good will Toward our fellowmen. We want to live and love: To love the busy marts of trade, The lowland and the grassy glade; For nothing is small and nothing can pall When the heart is high. When the heart is high We give the conquering shout: Love will triumph. Then wc lose our selfish need In service of the larger deed. Then we give. Then we live! [30] —Vida Mae Hancock