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

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lic a AU REVOIR, CENTRAL As the time rapidly approaches when the seniors are due to bid farewell to Central High forever, there is a certain amount of regret and sorrow coupled with happiness. There are hours of reflection and medita- tion; recollections of freshman days when we were directed to Mr. Wiener's office instead of the gym- nasium. Our sophomore year closely followed and we inconsiderately inflicted the same initiations upon those “‘measly little freshies.” As we entered our junior year, a light of understanding dawned upon us for the first time, and it was then that the majority of us realized that we were acquiring a valuable educa- tion. Some few did not see the light and could not be made to see it, and so they continued the fun and “cutting” of their freshman days, only to find that they had fallen behind their ambitious friends. Senior days came and we studied harder and grimly determined that if those who have gone before could do it, we likewise could earn a diploma. Perhaps we did become a bit haughty and assume importance, but is that not a senior’s privilege? Did we not study nights so that the time would come when we could be the “big guns” of the school? And now that it has arrived, we are half sorry and half glad. For some, school days are over for the rest of their lives, while others will carry on their educational studies in col- leges and universities. No matter where we may go or what we may do, Central High will always remain foremost in our memories as the institution where we gained our first real knowledge with the able assis- tance of a noble principal and a splendid faculty. It was here that we enrolled as mere boys and girls and lived a happy life of work and social pleasures, learn- ing as we grew. Today we leave, not as children, but as young men and women, carrying with us a knowledge that forms the basic foundation of the judg- ments which will guide the people in future years in government and in business. Central High, we take our hats off to you! —A. O. В. CHOOSING A VOCATION - Choosing a vocation is likened to choosing a vaca- tion; both are usually powerfully influenced by the de- sire of the proud homefolk and by friends performing the role of counsellors. If the youngster was only capable of visualizing the future and determining his calling at that early age, the business man of today would be far better prepared to cope with the situa- tions arising in his affairs. As the youth grows older, his views and opinions of life change, and he finds that the business which

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seemed adapted to him a year back is now out of the question. He may discover that a dentist or a chemi- cal engineer requires an extensive course of study, or that the doctor needs more than a college degree. He may decide all too soon that he is adapted for an art career and sacrifice his high school training for one in elementary drawing or sculpturing. Statis- tics show that many students who enter high school and college never graduate, and the majority of them, it may safely be assumed, h ad full intentions of com- pleting the prescribed course of study. Numerous changes and occurrences in the life of a youth either tend to determine a suitable vocation or to demolish all hopes for success in attractive fields. A youth may change his choice of vocation several times before he ends his schooling, and then may enter a field most unexpected to him. Still, there are many young men in college who are merely there for the purpose of obtaining general knowledge, and have not as yet determined just what they will graduated. It is said that some men are born humorists, artists do when and mathematicians, and so their vocations are prac- tically handed out to them. For the overwhelming majority of others, the choice of vocation is usually dependent upon personal opinion formed from obser- vation and the convincing advice of others. —A. O. B. ASSEMBLY DEPORTMENT Out of respect for the school, the faculty, and the student body, every Centralite should act his part at Unfortunately, evening engagements and subsequent lack of homework preparation always re- veal themselves at the morning assembly. The girls are usually busy discussing the latest dance step and others are attempting to prepare a little neglected homework, while the assembly exercises are progress- ing lamely and without student co-operation. It is entirely up to the students to sing loudly and sweetly, since without their united voices the results are painful. Everyone should have enough self-control to govern his actions in providing an attentive audience. Dance steps can wait until later in the day and text books should never be opened— during the assembly period. It is pitiful to see so many students humming their memory passages or quadratics, accompanying the piano with the hymn. Starting the day right has a lasting influence over the following hours of work, and incidentally, in- creases Central's enviable reputation. —A. O. B. all times. HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES A prominent characteristic of a good high school is the promotion of various clubs and activities. It is necessary for the student body and the faculty to come into closer contact socially than is permissible in the classroom, and the school organizations breach the gap in a worthwhile manner. Central does not lack any clubs, nor is interest in activities waning, but there is a large fraction of the student body which does not participate in the social and extra-curricular part of school life. There may be good excuses for some of the non- participants, but for the majority, there is no good reason for their not joining a few select organizations. These “nomad students do not realize what they are passing up and should set to work immediately and join in the social spirit of the school. A list of the various clubs and their respective activities is published in his issue of the PIVOT. Read them over and then decide which are best adapted for you and then act. —A. O. B.