Quincy High School - Goldenrod Yearbook (Quincy, MA)

Page 29 text:

 nom Qun Leitfjpoint This year the problem foremost in the minds of the senior class officers and the Student Advisory Council is a perplexing one. The dance situation at Quincy High School is in very poor condition and needs quite an operation to insure com- plete recovery. It wasn’t very encouraging to note the response of the student body when the Student Council announced they would sponsor a dance if they received sufficient remuneration from advance ticket sales to insure payment of expenses. Conditions were perfect and the dance should have been a sellout. The gym was to be decorated, a competent orchestra was contacted and the fact that it was to be held in the evening was an important point in its favor. However, despite a warning from Mr. Collins that this was to be the last attempt if it failed, despite pleas for student co-operation from the Council, the list of those who signed for tickets did not encourage the Council to give the dance further consideration. We cannot believe that there are no people at Quincy High School interested in dancing so we must take it for granted that nobody is interested in attending dances sponsored by the school or any of the organizations connected with it. In such a case we are sure Mr. Collins can be prevailed upon to cancel any plans for future senior receptions—Oh boy! what a holler there would be then! Well, stu- dents, how about snapping out of it? Show that at least you have some school spirit and buy a ticket to the next dance. Remember that its success is in your hands. Hold closely in mind also that failure cannot be tolerated as such an inci- dent will sound the death-knell of school dances. Cheer leading is a game all its own and although the boys do a good job. it seems that girls are more entitled to that position in high school. It appears that a few students have a lapse of memory when it comes to seats in the cafeteria. The plan is good only if it will show results. Please help. Senioni With the Christmas vacation practically upon us, you seniors should be thinking seriously of having your graduation pictures taken. It is not too early and this vacation would seem a very proper one, before the picture-taking rush is on. Everyone should have at least one pose with a white background to be put in the Golden Rod. The white background makes a better showing in the magazine and if you demand white, we shall have a uniform graduation section. When you order your graduation pictures, be sure to have a glossy four inches wide by six inches tall included. It is free of charge with your order. If requested, the glossy will be sent directly to Quincy High School. Twenty-seven

Page 28 text:

TKlinuteii untk (Interview by Fanny Szathmary and Ronald Vanelli.) Like the Esquire version of the well-dressed man, impeccably clad in a riding costume, Leslie Howard stepped briskly into the lobby of the hotel Ritz- Carlton where, like a couple of stage-door-Johnnies, we had been anxiously await- ing his appearance for nigh onto three hours. As he approached, we silently admired his smart brown and white checked sport jacket. We particularly focused our attention on the horn-rimmed glasses which together with his tan felt hat. he wore with the air of an Oxford professor. When formal introductions were over, we became at ease with Mr. Howard because his manner wras so congenial. He spoke in a smooth voice with a slight English accent, which some young Americans record as effeminate. Tactfully in- formed that it was impossible for us to be granted an interview of any length, we immediately put a pen in the great actor s hand and secured his autograph. Leslie Howard proved to us to possess a very fine personality. The motion picture “Romeo and Juliet ”, which gained Mr. Howard popularity throughout the country, produced the man just as we were now seeing him. Upon leaving us. Mr. Howard said, “You II just have to make something up!” We were rather amused by this but could utter nothing but a thank you for an exciting two minutes. But — did we tell you how we came even to see him (in case you are interview- minded)? Two evenings previous to the great occasion were spent in trying to locate Leslie Howard. Attempts were made at the Opera House, where he was then playing in “Hamlet”. We received only unpleasant replies from the doorman, who probably thought we were a bit foolish. Finally it occurred to us that he most naturally would be lodged in the Ritz-Carlton. The telephone was in use to no avail. But we were only too fortunate in being able to speak with his maid who informed us, Mr. Howard is not in!” The morning of our success we ap- peared in the Ritz-Carlton with a frank note to our friend the actor. We were told to return later when Mr. Howard would probably have arisen. At the appointed time we met our Romeo. Twenty-six

Page 30 text:

Alumni While studying at Oxford. John Plnkham (F 30) wrote an exceptionally interesting letter to Golden Rod readers. We regret that space will not permit its being printed entirely, but the following excerpts will give an inkling of the life he experienced there. He is at present studying government and economics at the Hanxird Graduate School. TTiat Oxfjond Qtmo jpkene There are so many little details about college life that are so different from a similar existence at borne that I scarcely know what to write. The colleges them- selves are so different—two or more quadrangles of old gray stone buildings includ- ing chapel. library, dining hall, commons, i.e. social room, gardens—all carefully walled in from the streets so that once one is inside he is in an entirely individual world. I could write a good deal about the college servants or scouts” who are an institution in themselves. A student usually has two rooms to himself on a staircase which includes seven or eight other such suites. Each stairway has a scout to attend it—in my case a little old man with white hair whom I first see in the morning when he wakes me up and solemnly informs me about the state of the weather: Alf past seven. Sir. and a bit on the damp side this mornin .” He serves me breakfast in my study as well as lunch, makes my bed, cleans my rooms, supplies me with coal for the fire. etc. He takes great pride in his work and often tells me of the skill it requires to properly care for eight men and see that things are done on time. The report card does not exist at Oxford. Perhaps you will think this a blessing, but when you learn of the institution which takes its place I’m not so sure. At the end of each term one attends what is familiarly known as a “don rag. At a certain hour one presents himself in academic grown in the large dining hall of the college. At a long table on the raised platform at the far end of the hall sit the head of the college, the sub-head, the chaplain, and numerous other dons— all gravely gowned in black. When one s name is called he treads the solemn length of the hall and seats himself in the vacant chair directly opposite the Head and facing all the dons. His tutor then proceeds to pass judgment on his work for the term before the assembled authorities. The Head responds with fitting remarks —praise where this is due, suggestions for future improvement—all in a kindly man- ner, however, which somewhat relieves the tension of the moment. The ceremony is concluded by the student s shaking hands with each of the dons, and with a sigh of relief he departs to catch the next train for London. You will perhaps get a clearer idea of this affair if you can picture Mr. Collins, Mr. Wilson, Miss Thompson, Miss Howe, Miss Dawes—all in long black gowns seated before a long, narrow table on the stage in the Assembly Hall, and having your teachers’ opinion of you and your work laid before them in your own presence. Perhaps you still prefer report cards. Twenty-eight