Newtown High School - Newtowner Yearbook (Elmhurst, NY)

Page 17 text:

March, 1929-Well, things are going fine. Plenty of work, plenty of interest, G. O. elections coming soon-electioneering-and the hall's looking like a rogues' gallery or rather an art gallery. I quake when I see those lordly beings stand and deliver them- selves in study hall on the merits of their respective parties. There are three this year, Scholastic, Service, and School Spirit. First time we've seen the platforms. Great prom- ises. By the way, I'm going to see the new Masque and Bauble presentation. Great plays- Rivals, As You Like It, L'Aiglon, and the others. April, 1929-Really, I'm so miserable. I was complimented today for my interest in a certain girl in my class, and in helping her with homework. I didn't do this out of any greatness of soul, but rather out of greatness of curiosity. She was extremely interesting to study, but I feel like a culprit after drawing out all her ideas and facts about her, just to satisfy curiosity and put her into a story we have to write as an assignment. Then to be praised for unselfish interest! Sept., 1929-Have undertaken the role of pedagogue trying to inject grammar into two immature minds. The darlings take a three-year regents and as yet do not know the difference between a preposition and a verb. However they are sample specimens of the male mind. One is a braggart, the other has an inferiority complex. Hope I'll be able to get that Arista auxilium medal. It certainly is hard work. Dec., 1929-Oh, boy, what a party at the French Club. We had more than we could eat and the orchestra was great. We danced until school closed. Marie was there all prettied up and being sweet. Jack was also there monopolizing her. I'd like to talk to him. You bring a girl to a dance and lend her without interest to someone else. He's got some business head. Well, it's time for basket ball. I must be ambling. jan., 1930-just received 96 on Cicero regents which was not as good as Dad expected. But, it will be better next regents. Charles came over and we played chess. After that -great fun dissecting frogs. . June, 1930-Well, here is the end of a good four years. I feel strangely old today thinking about my freshman year and the silly things I worried about. They really didn't matter anyhow and settled themselves in the end. Rather sorry to leave old Newtown now. Things are just becoming interesting-hops, and Arista, Res Gestae, Roosevelt Club, and Poetry Club meetings. Classmates also more interesting 3 some have actually grown up. Queer how you detest things when you have them and see their value later as I've detested school at times. Now I'm a bit afraid but extremely desirous of entering college. But there is another sphere of interest! SYLVIA BAssETT I 13 I

Page 16 text:

Among the folks in History While searching the archives of the library in the old Newtown building, far at the bottom of the desk where you put things for safe keeping and forget where you've put them, I chanced upon these private diaries Koh, so private that I really shouldnit let you read themj of the years 1926-1930. Nov., 1926--I met Mary today. Not especially interesting. Has dimples and nice eyes but giggles all over the place. How I detest silly girls. I think there were nicer ones in the Annex. Over here in the main building everything is strange and the teachers and pupils so different. April, 1927-AS I write, I feel that I'm giving some of myself away. I know I shouldn't feel that way since I hope to write later on. Someone has said, Anything can be made beautiful. So this morning coming to school, I tried it. I found fairies on the hedges playing with the rain and the white serpents spouting smoke over the bridge. Even the bakery smells on Corona Avenue were delicious. There are rumors of choosing a Lantern Staff. If I could only make itl May, 1927-Ugh! but I hate it all :-the seniors shoving you into posts-the delicate aroma of burnt potatoes penetrating the French class-the disdain of the 'Latin teacher-the class pest's air of bravado and the girl in Study Hall, eternally lipsticking and perpetually eradicating it all period. Oct., 1928-My teacher is great-loads of satire and quick brain-not pretty-even plain but in each feature Worlds of character. She waves her right hand upwards and out, pursing her lips when asked trivial questions. Oh, yes, that reminds me, I got the lowest mark in English I've had in a year. Why don't teachers with great brains have great generosity? CPerhaps just for that reason.J Nov., IQ28-JuSt got home! What a day! Nearly worked to death, and then they sing, School Days. Song writers surely are romanticists. Perhaps they never had to correct those awful things cub reporters write. Then, Oh you're the X-Ray editor ? They stare. How wonderful l I tactfully reply, f'Yes, it is. March, 1929-Oh, dear little diary, it was so exciting today. I was standing in the hall and Henry actually came up and talked to me. I was never so surprised in all my life! And then he walked down the hall with me and down to the second Hoor! I was so nervous I didn't hear a word he said. Ooh, but it was exciting and U-AXVN CSee Codej. l 12 l

Page 18 text:

The Dine Tree Alone, in the silvery moonlight, Against the dark blue sky, A stately pine was swaying, Bending o'er waters shy. The stately pine was Reality, Upright, undaunted and true, The water which it was shading Was my River of Dreams, clear, blue. The water receded, drawn on by the lwoong The pine grew enormous and shadowed it soon,- My dreams almost crashed on the rocks of despair, But the Moon disappeared, removing my care. The waters returned to the pine-tree, A river of laughter and life, Threw a veil of dreams o'er the branches And buried forever the strife. Oh! Towering pine-tree, symbol of power VVhose strength is drawn from the passing stream, Like the mighty work of the present hour, 'Tis glorified by Ideal's dream. F. GLADYS HESSELBACH l 141