Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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THE REFLECTOR CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL FEBRUARY 192» PRAISE AND BLAME Oh, you who rise to the heights of elation when someone bestowes words of praise upon you, then fall to the depths of despondency when you are censured for some act, take heed! Praise is but too often the offering of flatterers. Then, beware! Take it only for what it is worth. But if this praise is offered by your teacher or instructor it is sincere and you have merited it. But always remember that this bit of praise—given, perhaps, for a well-written composition or an excellent geometry paper, does not include future compositions or geome- try papers. Take the gift gratefully, promise yourself to receive more like it, and forget. If a person is blamed for doing what lie should not, how often he resents this rebuke offered out of kindness by one older and more experienced. Napoleon refused to listen to the advise of his generals. When anyone blamed him for plunging France into so many unneces- sary wars for his own personal glory, the firing squad was his answer. Too late he found he might have profited by these words. There is a story told of an old master who had called in a critic to judge his painting. The critic found fault with it but the artist refused to accept his criticism. “Then in the room a coxcomb came, To scan the work with praise or blame, He with a glance its worth described; “Ye Gods! a masterpiece! he cried.’’ Spoke the artist to his critic, “Unjust to me thou hast not been,” and he blotted out his pic- ture. The praise of fools is not praise but blame. Always remember that, and value his rhapsody of superlatives at only the air used to expound them. Turn a willing ear to your critic, and, painful though it may be, try to put yourself in his place and see your faults as he sees them. That is success. Eleanor Pederson, June ’28. PROCRASTINATION What is a greater detriment to a household, company, any organization than a procrastina- tor? Putting off from day to day, never com- pleting a project, he goes his way, holding back work and taking away all ends gained by the rest. Once the habit takes its tenacious hold the downward progress is very evident. One may hardly be conscious in many cases that he is procrastinating and then, again, he may do it deliberately. No matter whether he be con- scious or otherwise of his failing, the habit has the same evil effect. Throughout life the pro- crastinator becomes lazier and lazier, losing self respect and ambition and regard for all others. Thus is it not true that the time to check the habit is in the beginning? When ever the de- sire comes to put off some work, remember the results. If the habit of putting off seems to be a regular one start in now and take hold of yourself and the reward will be self-evident. No words can here be quoted more fitting or truer than, “Never leave for Tomorrow what can be done today.” Ruth Hornby, June ’28. EDUCATION Educate the people! is the cry of an efficient democracy. Educate every living sold regard- less of race and color is the plea of a progres- sive industrial society. It is education that is wanted in every walk of life, in the arts, in business, in society, in industry, and in com- merce. Surely this subject of education is a ponderous one. Someone has wisely said, “Education is the ingenuity of a person to use what he has learn- ed.” In the case of the arts, there is an im- mense opportunity to use what one has learned about them. In the art of music we have a deplorable misunderstanding between what is high and beautiful and what is low and de- grading. Appreciation comes with knowledge. I know from personal experience that the mas- terpieces of the great virtuosi are not enjoyed by the common herd as greatly as is jazz of which an authority in music has befittingly said, “Jazz is not fit to be called music.” What a crime it is that the great masterpieces such as Aida must be jazzed for their enjoyment. In these days when business is carried on under the most efficient methods, the man whose mind works quickly and accurately will be the winner in his business transactions. And only through a proper preparation in business will he be able to compete with the other business wizards. Society today imposes the most thorough edu- cational qualifications on its members, an edu- cation which is more cultural than practical. In reading the society columns today we read almost exclusively the names of educated and learned men. None can fail to notice the wondrous develop- ment of commerce. Who in the days of our forefathers would have dreamed of the airplane, and air conveyance which in the future will con- vey man as efficiently as does the train and steamship today? Systematic studying and ex- perimenting has given to mankind inventions which will profit this world materially, socially, and economically. page six M. Valenti, Feb. ’28.

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THE REFLECTOR CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL FEBRUARY 1928 SCHOOL SPIRIT—WHERE IS IIE? I can almost hear the groan that rose to your lips as you read this title. You have heard so much about this young man that I believe you have almost come to hate him. But that is simply because you don’t know him. He’s real- ly a very likeable chap, as you’ll see when you find him. And, you know, ‘‘It All Depends On You.” You have the finest building in the state in which to house him; many clubs, competitions, athletics, and other affairs in which to keep him interested; a helpful principal, co-operative teachers. These will all help to keep him, for once he’s here he can’t help but want to stay. But it’s up to you to make the first move and to get him. Come on, everybody, let’s all give School Spirit a chance. Open the doors. Show him that you want him and then find out what he can do. You’ll like him; see if you don’t. —H. B. Hopkins, June ’28. FRESHMAN! Have you thought over what you expect to do when you get out of High School? Are you shaping your course to suit those requirements? Now is the time to formulate ideas for the future. If you have some plan of what you would like to do after you graduate, so much the better for you when you reach your senior year. Every year a few students graduating from the High School are unable to enter the college they have longed to enter. Why? The reason is very evident; they have not planned ahead and fulfilled the requirements for their course. Colleges are becoming stricter and if you wish to enter one after you have successful- ly negotiated the obstacles of a High School education you must be prepared to meet the demands of a higher institution. Think serious- ly of this, for on it much of your future may depend. E. Anderson, ’28. THE BY-PRODUCTS OF OUR STUDIES When you study chemistry, you hear a great deal about by-products,—those products which are not the main object for which a process is carried out. Sometimes these products are worth as much as or more than the chief prod- uct itself. For instance, the by-product of cot- ton, ravon, is more expensive than the cotton, itself. From coal tar, a by-product of coal, numerous dyes and medicines are made. In education also we have by-products, the benefits which we get aside from facts in history or literature. In my opinion, the most important by-product here is the study of human nature, in books and in life. While studying our litera- ture we are taught how to dissect and analyze the feelings and actions of the characters. In looking around us, W’e unconsciously do the same thing, weighing people by simple actions and words. If we are wise, we utilize our opin- ions by correcting our own errors; we learn how to analyze and control our own feelings. Another by-product is appreciation. We are taught how to appreciate good books, music, manners. We learn how to discriminate between good and bad. From our assemblies we have gathered much in this line. Educated people have talked to us on various subjects, and if we have listened carefully, we have gained a great deal. Another by-product is self confidence. With- out this, one can reach nowhere. We must know what we are capable of doing and then do it. Therefore, let us make use of these by-products, for it is really writh these that we learn to enjoy life in full. Mary Faillace, Feb. ’28. PAGE FIVE

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THE REFLECTOR CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL FEBRUARY 1928 LITERARY The results of the literary contest held Nov- ember 1-28, as decided by the judges: Miss R. Smith, Miss E. Vorrath and Miss E. Firman, were as follows: SHORT STORY First place (prize story for the term)—“The Last Flight.” A. Kaplan, Feb. ’28. Second place—“Hettie’s Disillusionment.” Margaret Storm, Feb. ’28. Third place—“Diligence Is Success.” Rose Braviak. POETRY First place (prize poem for the term)—“The Battle.” Dorothy Krouse, June, ’29. Second place—“The Phantom Ship.” Ellen Phillips, June ’30. These stories and poems appear in this issue of the Reflector together with the following which received honorable mention: By Substitution—by Anthony Tubbiolo. The Rise to Fame—by Corinne Krumlin. True Love—by Marie Goetchius. The Lone Leaf—by Martha Scacciaferro. Autumn Leaves—by Martha Scacciaferro. The Broken Temple—by Ellen Phillips. CONTEST THE LAST FLIGHT “Vive Forte, vive Forte, bravo, welcome home Forte, welcome home.” These were the excla- mations that come from the throats of thous- ands of spectators. They were all gazing heavenward, at a large plane which made sev- eral circles in its course above the field. The aeroplane swooped down upon the field and af- ter a good landing came to an abrupt stop. Another shout went up as the aviator jumped out of the cockpit. He was borne upon the shoulders of his followers. Broad smiles of suc- cess beamed upon his face. His curly brown hair was waving in the breeze, the dark blue eyes gleamed with triumph as he was borne to the office of the Aviation Transportation Company of Paris. Three hours later, after the great ovation ac- corded to him hy his fellow countrymen, Forte made his way up the steps to the observatory of Paris University. He was alone now, having escaped the throngs of admirers. The observatory was situated on the highest hill in Paris. Its glass dome was visible miles away. Two large windows, one facing west and one facing east, were the outstanding fea- tures of their observatory. It was through these windows that the telescopes projected, which were used for side views. One large telescope which protruded through the glass dome was used for heavenward purposes. Forte opened the door leading into the ob- servatory and was greeted by an aged astrono- mer, who upon seeing Forte, exclaimed, “Forte, welcome! Safe, ah, just as my stars predict- ed!” PAGE SEVEN