North Quincy High School - Manet Yearbook (North Quincy, MA)

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4 MANET CONFESSIONS OF A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-HERMAN GLUCK By Joseph Costello, 12-1 The award is based on a consideration of each en- try as an example of its particular type of composi- tion. For this reason CONFESSIONS OF A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTF-HERMAN GLUCK, an example of the informal essay, is the judges selection as the most successful entry. It is to be commended because Q15 the illusion of reality is sustained tliroughoutg Q27 it depicts with light and humorous touch the awkwardness of adoles- cence, a difficult subject: Q31 its use of connotative words convey effective shades of meaningg Q-lp its deft touches of humor depend for the most part on situation rather than expressiong C51 it maintains the subjective point of view with skill and restraint, Q61 it heightens suspense with a concluding episode. I have always had the most burning desire to know just what in the world people talked about at a dance. At a very early date I came into this world designated as Herman Gluck. I have always thought that this had something to do with my troubles in dancing. I also con- fess that I am normally of a rather shirking or bashful disposition. All this is necessary for my confession. Now actuated by curiosity, I myself attended numberless dances, usually in the stag ca- pacity. In my Hrst dances back in grade school the world had completely overawed me, I had been hindered by an excess of timidity. Then, conversation was confined to rare mention of numbers attending, of attire, of decorations, yes, sadly, even of the weather. In those days I had escaped by the constant change of part- ners, to all of whom I addressed the same re- marks, acquiring thus a certain cleverness and facility of speaking. Yet, as formality increased in dancing, so conversation grew increasingly difficult. I ac- quired a characteristic reserve resulting from the lack of anything to say. Soon, however, I found that I could be critical of my own danc- ing abilities with great success. I found that my awkwardness and mistakes in the dance could become an entrancing subject to while away the hours. I ever found new whips with which to lash myself, and in so doing I gave my partner a chance to uphold and excuse 1119. Yet this charming tete a tete became boring to one of my fast growing conversational powers. About this time, say the middle stage of high school, my character took a turn. Every month or two I would rather boldly indulge in a cig- arette, or coffin-nail. I would let an occa- sional 'thell or damn escape my lips. Altogether I was rapidly becoming a worldly- wise personage. In keeping with this air of dare-d-eviltry was my carriage on the dance fl-oor. Though know- mg nothing of dancing I found much more en- joyment in simply assuming a knowledge of it, as so many others were doing successfully. I no longer excused the jab of the toe into the un- protected region of an adjacent ankle or the overlapping of a shoe on the tender toe of a partner. It was really a thrill to savagely clamp a toe and refrain haughtily from an apology. But, to continue, my speech became rather flippant, and I made many remarks of a daring unrestraint. Once I recall distinctly asking a young maiden where she had been all my life. Though doubtful of the meaning of this bold phrase, I had heard it used to advan- tage, and here it did not fail to produce a coy -,,. Q, xx. .1 as R . 3 xx A i l Q ': Q . M QA j j hff ? 2 f f I 1 flxiksh X IQQI, f ,, xg? X ,--.wif A fx X -:.SIi IL K Imp -.. f fi' joseph Costello blush. I would on other occasions chide my partner on the number of her admirers and lament the impossibility -of making a date with her. I have always regretted that my num- erous conquests extended no farther than the dance floor. Yet I only used these new found powers of conversation at dances and was re- luctant to let this passing chatter influence my outside actions. Still this was a delightful period of existence and one for which I carry the fondest memories. However, all this, too, changed. By mathe- matical processes of elimination, subtraction and whatnot it became necessary for one to yoke in his own special partner. Wliile his partner usually circulated among others most of the night, he could not escape strolling hither and thither to the dance hall in her company. Conversation cropped up as a major issue. And the issue was too much for me, I must confess. On walking to the demoiselle's house I would, of course, wait the customary half hour for thc completion of facial operations. In this phase

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MAN ET 5 I used up my limited knowledge of politics with Dad. Now how a young person like me could be expected to chat meaningly on politi- cal hash incomprehensible to most of my elders is a riddle. Yet Dad certainly expected it, and I struggled through. Then Jimmie tthere's always a Jimmiej, would rapidly diminish my baseball stock in long eulogies of heroes. Mother being busy at supervising her daughter, I was saved from further conversational hard- ships. Then Betty would trip into the room, and I would depart with a possessive arm looped through hers. I murmur on the blessings of a worthy family, I extoll the very excellent features of the maiden 's dress, make-up, et. al. tThough dating from the Ark this method never failsb. I act the good listener to all her appealing patter and her naive babbling, for this is a requirement of good conversation. All in all this phase is not too trying. Moreover, a car will lessen the amount of speech necessary in this trip. Once at the ball the orchestra, the guests, and decorations are all suitably considered. Friends and new introductions provide us with still more material. All that comes is grist to our mill. Now before continuing let me stress a point in my -outlook. The dance is unmis- takably connected with the act of love. A girl may with propriety be clasped in an embrace at a dance. The orchestra blares. bleats, and whispers of love even as it did in the staid old Vienna days in different fashion. Yes, above all, one brings another suitable for the bestowal of one's affections, either at present or in the future. So the love element in conversation cannot be detoured even though it enter in only an aubon. Thus I have found it necessary to adopt certain tactics, but because of various complexes I succeed not too greatly. Talk lapses, although I occasionally dart a personal thrust before retreating i11to my shell. I have often hoped that the ethereal dream in my arms realized that my insane remarks arose from a desperate wish to preserve conversation. I am not able to provide an easy flow of pleas- ing little nothings. Yet I know the girl is not interested in poetry, mathematics or such out- lets. Therefore, though I assure myself that I am happy, a dense fog of impenetrable reserve separates us. Every day conversation seems like a pun in a funeral hall. Under these con- ditions my bravado is not so easy. I feel capa- ble of sweeping her off her feet if I once burst into my oratorical vein. However, I tremble at thought of a lengthy continuance of amours. I am not able to provide light talk and dare not pour out the passionate discourse of which I am capable. Finally, the farewell number is droned, and we depart. Oh, spare me these parting mo- ments! Action and not speech is much more advisable, is it not? I, however, an incurable introvert, am far too timid in action to permit a graceful withdrawal. Impending difficulty loosens the chopped-up speech. I talk insipidly of stars and moon, fearing the approach of Betty 's front steps. Ah, steps of portent, steps of wondrous meaning! Here they are, and here are wel She breathes a low thank you for a happy evening and talks ever so idly while I say rather untruthfully that I had the best time lever. Now a kiss is accepted as the cus- tomary action at this point, but such a simple osculation would have driven me through th- earth's floor. Ah, nol I filled long moments with queer grunting expressions wh's, ers uy's and ah ts, and slipped away with my col- lar stiff against my neck. ON RIDING BICYCLES TO SCHOOL By Arthur Schuh, 12-1 Here is a piece of writing which conforms 'to the requisites of the liunioi-ous essay. The author success- fully treats his subject. at fair length. in a rather delightful style. giving a decidedly original interpre- tation of certain phases of bicycle riding which makes the essay amusing reading. Years ago when we were unpretentious seventh and eighth graders many of our number shortened the distance between home and school by riding bicycles. After attaining the honor and dignity of th P ninth grade most of the pedal pushers laid aside their trusty vehicles and trod their weary way to school rather than risk the chance of being seen in such an undignitied pose as one is apt to assume while riding the afore mentioned vehicle. However, there are still some stalwart, sturdy, and unspoiled lads of the upper grades who continue to propel their velocipedes school- ward every morning. As we, who disdain such a primitive mode of conveyance, are laboriously making our way towards the two-thirds finish tl school house, these two-wheeled knights speed gracefully by us, unhindered in their purposeful progress by all the twists of fate and weather. They have hardly ever been known to shirk their chosen task for anything less -than a fiat tire. This remarkable example of physical and mental fortitude which passes us every morn- ing, cannot, as you see, fail to inspire us. The plucky gladiator do-or-die look in their eyes makes us think of VVashington at Valley Forge. Their stamina and fearlessness make us realize that all is not lost and that perhaps we too. by a similar application of will power, can learn the valence of strontium. These bicycle riders have learned from ex- perience that the more clothes a cyclist wears, the greater are his chances of remaining tit to