Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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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

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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 Forte only exclaimed, “The same old Davies. I thought you would change in my six days ab- sence, but I see you still believe in your stars.” They both laughed and began to talk about the successful flight from Constantinople to Paris which was the cause of the presence of throngs of people at the aviation field. “The journey was wonderful, the Humming Bird functioned marvelously and I am happy for I have brought honor to my country;” ex- claimed Forte with a wave of his arms. “What has the company said concerning your trip?” asked Davies who was very interested. “They have raised my salary and will permit me to make a non-stop flight to New York City, next month!” replied Forte, who was excited over this glad news: “Imagine,” he continued, “what honor I will bring to France if I succeed in accomplishing this flight to New York, and I am sure of succeeding with the Humming Bird.” The next day the papers gave full accounts of the successful flight made by this daring young pilot. For days, his name was on the lips of all people. It was the first time an aviator had made a successful non-stop flight from Con- stantinople. His name was not the only one in the news- papers, for a misfortune had befallen an aviator by the name of Tellanca, who was returning in his aeroplane from Berlin when it suddenly burst into flames, Tellanca being killed instant- ly. Tellanca ranked next to F'orte in ability and accomplishments. He was heralded as one of France’s best air aces. The country felt a great loss in the killing of Tellanca. So it was not extraordinary that this was the topic of the day. Two days later, after the misfortune of Tel- lanca, Forte payed Davies another visit. When- ever time permitted, Forte always came to the observatory. Davies was considered a father to Forte. He had raised Forte from the age of five, when Forte had become an orphan to the age of sixteen when Forte was able to sup- port himself. They spoke about the Tellanca incident. “Well,” spoke Forte, after he and the astronomer had spoken for an hour, “I would rather die in my plane than live to tell the tale of being in a wreck. I would gladly die, like the captain of a ship who goes down with it when it is sinking. Furthermore, Davies, I cherish my Humming Bird so much it would break my heart to see it demolished, but if I were to die, I think it would be better. Davies did not reply but calmly twisted his short white beard. Silence followed. Davies walked to the huge telescope, focused it on the heavenly bodies which were visible as the sun had set half an hour ago. Preparations for the trans-Atlantic flight were in progress. The Humming Bird was given a thorough overhauling and Forte took several trial flights. As the day approached, F’orte seemed to be- come happier and happier. His dream was to be realzied: the dream to be the first flyer to make a non-stop flight to the North Ameri- can continent. “Davies, I do wish that you would decide to come down to the field when I start off. You never have seen me ‘take off’ since I have been flying.” “Well, replied Davies, “I can see you better through my telescope than I could if I were down at the field among the crowd. Every flight you have taken you were seen by me through the help of my telescope.” This conversation took place in the observa- tory two days before the scheduled flight, which was to take place Saturday morning, if weather permitted it. All day F’riday, Forte was busy preparing himself for this perilous voyage over three thousand miles of water. Friday night, Davies busied himself by look- ing through his telescope. He focused it toward the north and wrote something on a large sheet of white paper which was lying on the desk which stood near the telescope. For several hours, he continued this tiresome task of focus- ing and writing. During this task he would mutter words under his breath and sometimes would say, “I guess they are right.” He was working more swiftly now as a storm was ap- pearing on the western horizon. At last his tedious procedures were over. He seated him- self at the desk and began to write again. The storm came in all its fury. For one hour it raged, sending flashes of lightning in all direc- tions. The thunder shook the huge glass dome, it seemed as if the glass would fall. F’or one hour, Davies studied the chart on the white sheet. They were drawings of the heavenly bodies. He was so concerned over the white paper that he was unaware of the storm raging with- out. PAGE EIGHT