Christopher Columbus High School - Anchor Yearbook (Bronx, NY)

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THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE In America, it seems that we measure progress by size, that is, the bigger an object the better it is. For example, we make our cars bigger and gaudier each year. Our supermarkets get larger and larger. Products put on the market today are never made in a small size. They usually run from Large or Family size to the Giant Economy Size. Therefore it is not strange to hear a clerk saying, Large is the smallest size we make . Movies are advertised as colossal or stupendous, with casts of thousands . Every- thing is done on a large scale, and if one doesn't stop to think about it, it seems that the biggest is the best. This is obviously not so. Anyone who goes to see a giant spectacular comes away awed by all the noise and color but ignorant of ideas. A quiet, unobtrusive black and white film may be much better in all ways, but it is considered old fashioned. Though it may be acclaimed by the critics, it will be a monetary flop. Why can't the people in America come back to the little things in life, the little things in size-books, for instance, the little things in entertainment-like plain con- versation, the little things in life-thinking, judgment, questioning. Books can't be easily advertised in three different sizes. Thinking cannot be made into a new model every year. Two men's conversation on world affairs can't compare with a cast of thousands crossing the desert. Or can it? We in America are supposed to have come from people who were rugged indi- vidualists, who thought for themselves. All the luxuries of modern life have weakened us mentally and physically. We tend to accept things rather than question them. Our values have changed. One big question for this graduating class and for all of us is this: Can enough people retain their natural curiosity and interest in life to keep us from becoming a civilization contented with mediocrity? SUSAN WARSH IN MEMORIAM In the midst of our anniversary festivities, it is fitting that we pause to pay tribute to Mr. Bernard Greenberg, who died suddenly at the beginning of this school year. Mr. Greenberg, teacher of social studies, former acting chairman of that department, was a vital, interesting, beloved fellow worker. With his constant willingness to cooperate, his enthusiasm for everything and everyone in Columbia, he had just taken on another job-the publicity of our Twentieth Anniversary-when death came. In a very special memorial service held in our Library on January 30th, Mr. Kolevzon, Mrs. Davis, and Mr. Dombrow paid moving tribute to his memory. Briefly we quote from the words of Mr. Dombrow, his co-worker and personal friend for many years. . . . my respect for him developed because he was one person who could be sure to criticize because of principle. He was a man of profound integrity and deep conviction. He was a man of the faith who not only believed in it but practiced it. He was a man of expansive loyalties and sincere devotion . . . And while Columbus has lost a very faithful, devoted, and dedicated teacher, I regret only one thing-that this audience consists only of colleagues, because essentially, while he loved his colleagues, his deeper devotion was to his pupils, and I think this audience should be crowded with them. We in Columbus-teachers and so many students over the years- will not forget his fine personality and his unstinted dedication to our interests.

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I REMEMBER, I REMEMBER . . . Columbus, in its essential characteristic of a friendly school, is the same now as twenty years ago. The faculty have never ceased to be considerate of each other and to transmit this concern to their pupils. Such a basic kindliness has made a firm foundation for our scholastic and administrative advances. ELSA G. BECKER I did not know Columbus twenty years ago. Today I find Columbus alive and vital . . . Like the great explorer from whom we take our name, teachers and students have shown both foresight and courage in charting a course toward new and better goals for all. Perhaps like that explorer, we won't get quite where we've been aiming either -but like him our work will open new vistas for those who come after us, and will not be in vain. NORMA MICHELSON The relaxed attitude which I noticed when I first came to Columbus has disappeared. The neighborhood has also changed. There were hardly any houses on the route I took to school. Now the area is completely built up. RUTH KAUFNER The past always seems so much nicer than the present. Time tends to dim the bad memories. I can say from experience that we had more and better readers in the early years than we do today, My motto is Wake Up! And Read. MAX DUNN A friendly, close school where students soon learn that teachers and students can be and are friends. HAROLD GOLDBERG It seems to me that our students are a bit more mature now but not quite as studious as those who were here twenty years ago. IRVING LIEBERMAN Contrary to the prevalent feeling of a general deterioration in our young, I believe our students have definitely improved in neatness, in dress, in assuming a more earnest attitude toward their studies, and even in a greater affection and respect for their school. CAMILLA D'AMATO Twenty years ago I spent a few very pleasant years at Columbus as a student, taking advantage of the extra-curricular activities. Today I am still at Columbus, still in pleasant surroundings, and still taking advantage of our wonderful extra-curricular activities. ROY RUBIN Columbus has always been a friendly school-for teachers and pupils. JOSEPH KRAUSS Students tougher? Hardly! As I recall, we were permitted to play host to a refined group of roughnecks Qonly one section of the student bodyj. Refined in the sense that they had been assigned to selected annexes at their previous schools and then shipped here en masse. Those were the days of the Big House type of movies and the lunch room resounded to banging cups . . . SIDNEY TARR We lived in the middle of beautiful little farms. Today we are in the midst of cliff dwellers. Farmers sold us their wares, and it was a pleasure to watch this rural scene from our windows. GEORGE ZIMMERMAN They were the golden years of enthusiasm and hard work. The dramatic and music productions were remarkable. ALICE HEWITT When we entered Columbus as students our feelings were of awe. The building seemed very large and imposing. Our hopes were mixed with apprehension. As pupil- teachers, we do not find the building quite so large, but we must admit our feelings are just about the same. We believe, however, that just as we enjoyed and profited from the time spent in Columbus as students, we will do so again as pupil-teachers. DIANA KOPCINSKI and ELIZABETH CONNELLY Columbus was fzlire as soon as it began. It is still alive. Long may she wave! ELEANOR GISOLFI

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THE MOSTS Did you ever wonder what happened to those people in your classes who were voted most popular, most likely to succeed, most witty? For our twentieth anniversary issue we decided to look up some of our former mosts to see how close our prog- nostications were. Case number one-Most popular girl in 8-7, june, 1920 GARBO, GRETA, 8-7 0046 Remote Avenue General-Actress Gym Clubg Friendship Clubg Golf Club, War Club Always friendly, always gay, Thinking of more friends She'll make some day. Case number two-Most Witty in 8-1, January, 1935 KARLOFF, BORIS, 8-1 1313 Ghoul Road Academic-Taxidermist Nature Clubg Needlecrafters. Before he sews them up He puts them in stitches. Case number three-Most Likely to Succeed in 8-5, june, 1946 SUTTON, WILLIAM, 8-S 61738490 Alcatraz Lane Academic-Accountant Sr. Class Treasurerg Eco. Clubg Aide to Lunchroom Cashier. Likes to be called Willy, In accounting so astute- Soon to get all the loot. Case number fouraMost Shy in 8-9, june, 1949 PRESLEY, ELVIS, 8-9 412 Hound Dog Street Academic-Chiropracter Music Appreciation Club, Birdwatching Society. Poor Presley will never Get any place Sitting quietly Staring into space. Case number five-Most Witty in 8-4, June, 1937 KRUSHCHEV, NICKY, 8-4 1900 Grotsky Square General-Building Contractor Arista, Reading to the Blind. Clever Nicky is a builder You can trust, He'll build a wall You can't bust. Case number sixQMost Likely to Succeed in 8-13, BARDOT, BRIGITTE, 8-13 36 Featherbed Lane Commercial-Secretary Dean of Boys' Ofhceg Shy Brigitte Bardot From C0-op learned a lotg She'll be a good secret'ry Then settle down for housewifery. GIL MARLOXWE January, 19 5 0 X Q st-xx . x t , xx V .5 X . .gzip S X -wg., . 'U x Mi K 'fib- sf 'sg si ali . A X my 15? ix Naive - X .-it' X