Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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THE REFLECTOR CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL FEBRUARY 1928 On October 19 the second meeting of the club was held. The members were entertained with a novel presentation of a debate on the proposi- tion. “Resolved: that it is worth while to study Latin in high school.” The debate was won by the affirmative side, who managed to prove their point by means of a playlet. John Kowalsky gave a brief speech for the affirmative side, and proceeded to prove his points with the play, which was under the di- rection of Miss Howard. The characters were Alba Belli, the mother; John Kowalsky, the father; Norma Lindquist, the daughter; and Michael Rappaport, the son. The theme of the play concerned the son who did not wish to study Latin in high school. His father agreed that he would not have to take Latin if he did not eat or use a single thing during that whole day which had a Latin name. The poor son could eat scarcely anything, and he certainly didn’t enjoy himself, for his older sister was continually reminding him about names derived from Latin. At last he gave it up and decided he would take Latin if he could only have a square meal. After this playlet, John Pivornik spoke for the negative side. The members of the club then voted, and the decision was in favor of the affirmative side. Disapproval of this was ex- pressed by groans from the boys. The next meeting of the I.atin Club was held on November 30, with several discussions on Roman life being given by different members. Margaret Ausden Bruch spoke about the gen- eral aspect of Rome; Olinda Buffone talked about Roman streets in general and told of a typical short street; and Mary Coen told of the shops, street shrines, and the fountains. We heard about the street crowds and the cosmopol- itan nature of Rome from Marie Petruschak, and Marie Goetschius pictured the procession attending great nobles. Helen Okrent discussed a multitude of things, while Anna Petrisin ex- plained the danger of being out at night and the discomforts of life in Rome. For the next meeting. Miss Howard suggested that songs be given in I.atin. EI. CIRCULO ESPANOT. El circulo espanol fue organizado en el mes de septiembre. Los siguientes fueron elegidos como ofieiales: presidente, la senorita Giacom- ini; vice presidente, el senor Kelly; secretario, el senor Fain, y tesorero, el senor Boyle. Hay ahora veinte y dos socios. Los impuestos son cinco centavos por cada persona. Adernas, el circulo se reune una vez por mes. A cada reunion se le pide al secretario que lea el acta de la sesion anterior y la presidente pide a los miembros si tienen observaciones. Enton- ces el secretario pasa la lista. Es costumbre responder con un proverbio en lugar de “pre- sente.” F,1 programa siempre abre con el cantar de “America” por los socios y las diversiones siguen. Durante la segunda reunion la president toco un disco de musica espanola. Una representa- cion dramatica fue presentada por los senores Ferseh, Szalay, y Romlein. El senor Fersch hizo el papel de un rico, llamado Desiderio; el senor Szalay como su servidor vivo, llamado Or- lando, y el senor Romlein su servidor perezoso, llamado Prudenciano. Orlando responde tan aprisa que casi todas las veces rompe algo y al contrario Prudenciano responde tan despacio que su amo teme volverse loco. Todos desem- panaron bien sus papeles y los socios gozaron con la pieza. A la proxima reunion se presentaran dos piezas. Una se llama “La Primera Disputa” y la otra El Joven Doctor Infortunado.” Al cuidado de la senorita Kehl, nuestra ma- drina, la pieza anterior ha tenido exito y esper- amos que las siguientes sean lo mismo. Ella hace lo posible para hacer las sesiones interesantes y nosotros le agradecemos mucho por esto. La senorita Giacomini ha tenido la bondad de, dar- nos sugestiones estimables. Reynold Fain, Secretario, June ’28. THE TRIAL OF FIRE On November second we had the pleasure of being entertained by a delightful and scientific play, given under the direction of Mr. Derr and Mr. D. Collester. The purpose of this play was to show the hazards and destructive force of fire. Freshmen students represented different fire hazards, such as, kerosene, rubbish, carelessness (who was the arch criminal), cigarette, match, and defective chimney. Each showed its helplessness in the prevention of fire; and its careless use by many slovenly and indifferent people was over empha- sized. Evert Anderson as the judge, and the court clerk, Mr. Damiano, most effectively created a solemn court atmosphere. The district attorney. Erwin Roedel. worded his accusation in a grave and stern tone that made the poor defendants feel mighty meek and small. The attorney for the defendants, Mr. Reilly, was vociferous and convincing in his plea. The jury was composed of able and judicious seniors. The court officer, with his long swinging ha- ton, gave much reason for fear. Mr. Careless- ness, who calls himself Mr. Pable, drew forth our genuine sympathy. Oh! how every sensi- tive person in that audience craved to save you, Mr. Carelessness, but you cannot deny that you are the direct cause of the loss of many lives and property. Mary Valenti, Feb. ’28. PAGE THIRTY-ONE

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THE HE FLECTOR CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL FEBRUARY 1928 say to the world that we have attained a very high degree of experience and knowledge in de- bating. Louis L. Leibowitz, ’30, Secretary. WHERE? WHAT? WHY? If you would be real up-to-date Come to Room 108 The Current Events Club there you’ll find Each member with an active mind. Talking of subjects important just now Such as, “Who will take next the President’s vow r They talk of the problems of everyday life, And also of wars and vict’ries and strife. Oh ! you can depend upon my honest word (For I have been there and I know what I’ve heard) That if you come out you’ll have loads of fun And you’ll know everything of importance that’s done. No more betraying, blank looks on your face, Nor wondering, “Sav, just where is that place?” Our meeting shall be just one grand race To see who knows most about Current Events. Marie Smith, June ’28. HI-Y NOTES After many futile attempts, the Clifton Hi-Y Club finally met at the Passaic Y. M. C. A. for the first time this term on Thursday evening. November 17, 1927, for reorganization. The meeting opened very enthusiastically with an unusually large attendance. The election of officers was the first subject brought before the members. The officers elect- ed are: Wilbur Ackerman.......................President Donald Berry.....................Vice President Emil Vanecek...........Secretary and Treasurer President Ackerman appointed the following committee to draw up a program for each meet- ing: Chairman, Evert Anderson, Steven Weiss, Wynant Moorman, and Aldo Sala. Anderson addressed the members, urging them to become better acquainted with each other, and to think over plans and suggestions for making the meetings interesting. Mr. Richards, the sponsor, and a member of the Clifton High School faculty, also addressed the gathering on the purpose of the club. The real purpose of this club is “To create, maintain, and extend throughout the school and community, high standards of Christian Charac- ter.” Its slogan is “Clean living, clean speech, clean sport, and clean scholarship.” It stands for Christian Character, and not creed. Every boy who wants to stand for the best things should join and thus lend his support in the elimination of the worst and cultivation of the best in school and community life.” E. J. Vanecek, June ’28. Sec’y and Treas. THE FRENCH CLUB Due to the difficulties which we have met in setting a definite day for our meetings we have been rather late in organizing our club. The first meeting of the French Club was held on November 21. The purpose of this first meeting was to choose the officers of the club. The officers of the club are the following: Mary Looss............................President Helen Hopkins....................Vice President Anna Grazioso.........................Secretary Hortense Stevens......................Librarian Mary Valenti...........................Musician Plans for the next meeting are being made by the officers of the club. We, members of the club, fully appreciate the work done by our director. Miss Vorratli. Anna Grazioso, June ’28. OUR LATIN CLUB Among the new clubs that have made their appearance in Clifton High School during the past term is the Latin Club, sponsored by Miss Howard. This club was organized on Septem- ber 21, the following officers being elected: Miss Alba Belli, president; John Pivornik, vice presi- dent; Helen Okrent, secretary; Olindu Buf- fone, treasurer. The club meets on the third Wednesday of each month in room 205. page thirty

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THE KEF LECTO Fi CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL FEBRUARY 1928 7he SEWING. DEPARTMENT SEWING DEPARTMENT n DOMESTIC SCIENCE My privilege is to write of the “joys” of learning to sew. Our sewing department is still young, having been organized for only two years. Still, in that time, 255 of us have dis- covered the delight of learning to make our own clothes. Before that time, at the beginning of each season when we passed through the stores and saw the myriads of beautiful fabrics and colors beckoning to us, we felt a pang of regret; here was a door of opportunity, but closed—to us. When the fashion magazines came out each month, how we did wish we might have some of the lovely gowns pictured! Again a door of opportunity, but closed—-to us. Then the sewing department was opened in our high school. Here was a chance to make wishes come true. Two hundred and fifty-five of us grasped our opportunity. We do not yet boast of gowns of “star shine and moon mist” but who knows what lovely things we may be fashioning in a few years to come! Then, too, the sewing itself is a pleasure. The pretty materials and colors are an inspiration to handle. Stitches and seams are not mere mechanical means to garment construction, but are the most fascinating steps in the creation of a lovely costume. Many think that this “creative art” is a par- ticular gift to some people — that there is a “knack” for sewing—that some people never have for learning to sew. It is hardly possible that there is an instinct for sewing. In most cases this “knack” comes about because one has been encouraged to learn while young—be- fore acquiring the fear that sewing is difficult. In olden days with stays and whalebone, and crinoline, sewing was an intricate, tedious, com- plicated process. Today, the art is very much simplified. Any girl with a little patience and a love for pretty things can make a dress as smart as she may wish. We take pride in our sewing. More—we take pride in wearing the dresses that are so truly ours. Lillian Murphy, June ’29. Balanced Diets We all know the old slogan, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” It was plain even in early days that bread alone was not the staff of life. Food experts and nutritionists have been making valuable contributions to the solution of the food question. If we have a high priced motor car, we are very careful to use the best of oils and gases, for we know what irreparable damage can be done by the wrong fuels. Human bodies are like the motor cars, in this respect. Give them the right kind of food and you have a splendid, alert, working body, ready for any emergency; give it poor food and you have a body on the par with a cheap, rattling “tin-can” that consumes gas and oil, and every now and then something goes wrong with it. Diabetic.and rheumatic cases are living ex- ponents of excessive sweets. Anaemia and un- derweights on the other hand show a lack of nourishing foods, such as fresh vegetables, cer- eals, fruits and milk. The right kind of food involves a knowledge of balanced diets. The necessity for iron and vitamins in our blood requires us to take at least one fresh or cooked vegetable daily. A quart of milk, any way preferred, cooked or raw, con- tains the lime which is essential to our bodies. We must avoid rich pastries. Sweets and meats must be taken in moderation. In place of sweets and pastries, fruits and plenty of fresh vegeta- bles may be eaten. If we would take more care of our diets this world would be a happier and healthier one. PAGE THIRTY-TWO