Central High School - Cog N Pen Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

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yore papos در‎ s s کر سر‎ TAT (li IN RETROSPECT Whatever we become—wherever we are—we shall always look with affectionate eyes on our Alma Mater. She has had us in her care for four happy years—to her must go a great share of the credit for the success we hope to attain in later life. We, who came here four years ago as children, are emerging as young men and women standing on the very threshold of life. “The social life, the pleas- ant companionship of friends, the ever friendly ad- vice and aid of our teachers have helped not only to develop our minds, but have moulded our characters as well. And now that the time has come for us to depart and take our places in the world, with a smile on our lips, and a tear in our eye, do we say “Central, adieu!” VR HL “KIDDING” YOURSELF Among the many slang expressions heard about the modern American school there are a few which are so appropriate for the thought expressed that the idea cannot be completely expressed in any other words. Among these latter is the expression, “kid- ding” oneself. All of us have heard this used over and over again, and all of us are afflicted to a greater or less degree with this disease, and there are many chronic cases. Some “kid” themselves that they are the smartest in the class; others “kid” themselves that they are the par excellence when it comes to dancing; some think they are so good looking that the teacher simply must give them an eight. Even the present writer is “kidding” himself. He “kids” himself that he is not “kidding”” himself; and there are many more. The great humorists (you know them), the class pests, the female boys and vice versa, the great gymnasts; all are “kidding” themselves. There is one type of “kidding yourself” that is highly commendable, that type which makes us stand up against odds. “The kind the vastly inferior foot- ball team practices when it goes up against a greatly superior force resolved to win. This type is a valu- able asset to anyone, but it cannot be designated by a slang phrase. It is on a much higher plane; we call it self-confidence. And even this, if carried to extreme, is bad and becomes overconfidence. Seniors, as we go through life we will find many people who are “kidding” themselves. “They never long command our respect, they never reach success; don't be one of them. “When you find yourself nurs- ing some pretty vanity say “Pshaw, I'm kidding my- self,” and then stop it. Be confident and not over- conhdent. Remember—don't “kid” yourself.

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SCHOOL LIFE For many students school begins at 9 o'clock and ends at 3. When the 3 o'clock bell rings they rush downstairs, get their hats and are gone. For them school means nothing more than English, bookkeep- ing, Spanish, homework or the like. “They care not whether the school wins a football game from a rival for the first time in six years; they worry not as to whether the school's track team will win the meet. They wonder what it is that makes a fellow spend all his afternoons practicing with the football team or go in training for the track team. True, they ap- plaud in assembly when it is announced “Central defeated so and so, score 9-0 ; true, they cheer, rah! rah! rah! when the cheer leader waves his arms, but beyond that they are impassive. It is interesting to note that many seniors graduate each term without a single school activity in their write-up in the senior PIVOT. These students have missed more than half of school life. Contrast with these the students who do not rush home at 3 o'clock (I mean the ones who stay volun- tarily, not those in 217). They go to the class meeting, or the dance, or some such activity, getting to know their fellow-students, discussing various school problems. “They go to the games, they root for the team, they contribute to school funds. For them school means more than English and homework; it means sports, fellowship, enjoyment. “They belong to the clubs in the school, they are a part of the school, and the school becomes part of them. “This is the only place where the first kind of student has the advantage—he feels no heart-breaking sadness when he graduates. Why is it that so many students do not partake of the joys of school life? “There are many reasons. No one enjoys an orange until he tastes it. To a savage who has never seen or tasted an orange the mention of one arouses no delicious anticipation. So it is with our backward students. Never having tried the joys of the school after 3 o'clock, they have no desire to do so. Many students are also shy and backward, and since their classmates take no in- terest in them they go their way unnoticed. “The solu- tion of the problem seems to be for those students who are in the life of the school to meet their back- ward brethren a little more than half way. “The upper classmen should take an interest in the lower class- men. Hazing for the freshmen is a good thing—it creates a fellowship among the freshmen and makes them feel that they are noticed at least. So, those of you who are on the inside, beckon to those on the outside, go out to meet them, give them the glad hand and make them feel they are a par t of the school. Those of you who are on the out- side, strive to get in, make an effort to mingle with your classmates. Taste of the joys of school life. You will get more out of it than you put in. Let us see if the school cannot be filled with a spirit of fel- lowship so thick it can be cut with a knife. Remem- ber the good name of a school rests with her students, and do your little bit to advance her good name. Try it and see; you'll never regret it. CENTRAL BOOKROOM Did you ever realize that one of the most impor- tant problems to contend with in a big institution such as Central is the distributing of books to the entire student body? Miss Hayes, of our office force, is chief manager of the bookroom, and has a student staff under her. The student manager for this year is Monteroy Hal- perin, and his assistants are Sobo, Hahn, and Schmidt. The experience obtained in running a bookroom is a worth-whila opportunity for any student, as mem- ory and speed, play an important part of the day's work. ATTEND THE FRESHMAN | DUAL MEET! MAY 27, 1921 CITY FIELD 3:30