Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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T H E R E F LECTOR C L I F T 0 N HIGH S C H O O L FEBRUARY 1927 In his stately hall we find Responsibility sit- ting on his magnificent throne, surrounded by the statues of his late friends. Beside him we see the Experienced Man and the High School Student. As the Experienced Man is introduc- ing the High School Student to Responsibility, the statues begin to speak. “When you have difficulties,” says the first, “meet them, greet them and beat them.” “Success comes in Can’s,” says the second, “failure in Can’ts.” The third follows, “Remember it takes one hundred years to grow an oak; for a squash six months are sufficient.” And as the student begins to realize, the Ex- perienced Man and Responsibility exchange a knowing look, while the fourth speaker speaks in a hopeful voice, “Give to the world the best that you have, and the best will come back to you.” Betty C. Lamberson, Feb. ’27. RECOMPENSK Dedicated to M. D. G. A gold nugget Is not beautiful, But we take it With its dirt and dross, For the sake Of the precious bits of gold It contains. Life, real life, Is not easy or pleasant, And seldom beautiful; But we live it— And love it, For the golden moments Of rest and joy and beauty It contains. “Spectator.” A GIRL WE KNOW She lost them all, all those whom she held dear. And now she walks the road of Life alone, Unfaltering, unafraid. A child, half-grown— And yet we’ve never seen her shed a tear. We’ve never heard her voice a childish fear. We’ve never even heard her softly moan In loneliness for those whose love she’s known She radiates courageousness and cheer. But sometimes we can catch within her eyes A fleeting glimpse of longing wistfulness. As if she lived with memories for a while; And with these memories come soft, sad sighs- But not for long. She hastens to suppress Them, and her grief she hides behind a smile “Cyrano.” “THE OLI) GRAY CAT” The old gray cat lay by the fire And stared at the leaping flames. (Ease alone was the cat’s desire And is there one who blames?) His mind went back through his twenty years. (Quite long for a cat to live). He thought of his struggles, his loves, his fears. With the calm only age can give. And he knew, this gray old cat by the fire. His days would be very few— This he was told by his old gray sire, As I tell it now to you. “The lives of a cat, my son, are nine. And the first three go in a day. Before lie learns to read the sign Of “Danger,” and keep away. The next three lives are lost within The fiery years of youth; For some they are years of feline sin. For others a fight for truth. .lust three are left. The cat by now Has learned to tread with care Its daily paths; it knows well how To side-step danger’s flare. But life is hard, and accident Of the three takes one away; The other life is lost or spent— But how, I cannot say. And one remains; the last of all, ’Tis very short but sweet— Through eight hard lives you’ve known the gall. The bitter strife of the street; The ninth you spend (it may but last A week, a day, an hour) In vague, dim dreams of days long past, The days when your youth was in flower. The bitter days your thoughts ignore, Remembrance casts them by— You think and dream of the joys of yore; And then, my son, you die.” And the old gray cat went dreaming on Till the fire-light ceased to shine; M hen the last spark died, he too was gone The count of lives was “nine!” PAGE EIGHT “A Dreamer.”

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THE REFLECTOR FTON HIGH SCHOOL FEBRUARY 1927 The next morning found the soldier at the front. but then, who would be more happy than the white-haired composer—true he would never hear it played never know whether it had been accepted but God had been good to let him try —he hoped—it—would—do. George Brunt, June '27. THK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MEET RESPONSIBILITY In this life here in school we seem to play no great part. We merely come here, day after day, trying to enlighten ourselves with the aid of others who are spending probably the great- est part of their lives in helping us. We grum- ble about the homework. We feel that so much is expected of us. Some do it because they know they have to do it if they expect to pass, some because they realize its value, and some just as a matter of form. So many things are done, just as a matter of form, that they have lost their originality and interest. Everyone is so anxious to get out into the world, to do things for himself. He looks for- ward to the time when he will have accomplish- ed all that he has planned, and will have people look to him for help and guidance, and honor and respect him. Many, we know, leave school for just that reason. It is the wanderlust, the hope and ambition of youth. When he leaves high school he feels confident that he can step into any position, and that it is only the ques- tion of a short time when he will be “monarch of all he surveys.’’ He is fascinated for a while. Every thing is new. It is what he has always hoped for. Then comes the rude awakening. He soon finds himself engaged in work that is every bit as monotonous as his school work. He finds that he has very little more freedom. He knows too that he has no teachers to encourage him or pull him through. He realizes now for the first time in his life that he must fight alone. Why? Be- cause he has never become acquainted with Re- sponsibility. He is startled for a time, but af- ter a gradual change, he becomes hardened and, looking back at his high school days, wonders what he ever saw in them to complain about. Let us come back to school again. We come into another person’s life. He too has dreams and ambitions, and desires to become great. He hopes to have the world think well of him. But he is a noticing student. He looks into the fu- ture, and behind youth’s silvery screen he sees the world. While still in high school, he looks for ways to meet his future problems. He triej himself, avails himself of every opportunity. He thinks, concentrates. He wonders a little and is probably puzzled. He finds himself quite interested in his school work. He realizes that people are beginning to depend on him. A big problem faces him. Many are counting on him to pull through. He does. Why? Because he HAS become acquainted with Responsibility. His school life has meant something to him. It has been his ambition to make it mean something to him. The realization of others’ approval stirs him. He knows that he has not had to wait until he finished high school to do worthwhile things. After he finishes school, he faces his new op- portunities with confidence, but his confidence is based on experience. He does not expect bountiful measure until he has worked for it. He remembers his high school difficulties, but the principal thing that he remembers is that he overcame these difficulties. He is sure, not only because he has met Responsibility, but he has kept pace with him. It is he who helps his weak friend to know Responsibility better. He is the one who en- courages and guides, who is looked upon as a leader, a man capable of doing great things. He has the distinction of being looked upon as an admirable man. He knows the other secret, that he started when the first ray of opportunity shone upon him. We look more closely into the picture. We see our old friend, School Spirit. He opens the door to the halls of Responsibility. He stands there, day after day, inviting everyone to en- ter. He even begs and entreats, for he wonders how many of us are going to succeed. PAGE SEVEN

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. E ROAD OF DREAMS I have often heard of the road of There are castles on the road of dreams, dreams. There are mansions on the way; I have heard of its shining glories. They shine like dold in fhe lights I have often heard of the light that gleams, bright beams. And its many enchanting stories. Visions that fade away. Thesinger sings JlbTroad of dreams. There are many that travel theroad The writer writes of its lore. Theyfollow the lights bright ray 5'! The poet praises its golden beams Ihert are many who fell on the road of dreams., The lights that I ight its shores. for jfs beckoning may waylay. So I may travel the road of dreams. Its baffling lights explore. And I may reach its dazzling heights Where I’ve longed to be before. Ellen Phillips, June 30.