Quincy High School - Goldenrod Yearbook (Quincy, MA)

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THE GOLDEN-ROD 7 that one who does not have confidence in himself, dislikes himself. I can also animate my reasoning by declaring that one docs injustice to himself if he is lacking in assurance. When we enter our class rooms to take examinations, let us be conscious that we will put the job over well. Let us teach ourselves to think that we can do that task, no matter how much anyone tries to discourage us. Let’s enter those class rooms with the spirit that we arc going to win over those toxins in our minds, always remembering that word “SELF- CONFIDENCE.” Joseph Shuman. IN APPRECIATION The appreciation of the school for such worth-while organizations as the Thalia, Debating and English Clubs has often been expressed, but it seems that the musical organizations of the school do not always receive their proper due. When we have an assembly in the auditorium, the Glee Clubs sing to us; when there is a football game the band enlivens us; when we give an entertain- ment, the orchestra is there. And the music department gives us each year our always beautiful Spring Concert. Do we realize, when we sit listening to them, be it either the Glee Club, the band, or the orchestra, how hard they have worked to be thus able to entertain us? Do we recognize their school spirit and the loyal leadership of those teachers who have assisted them? The music department is always at our side, ready to help us on every occasion, and I feel that we should give it a “rising vote of thanks.” M. C. CO-OPERATION In every school, there arc a few clever, energetic students who seem always to be participating in everything. They stand out above the rest as leaders, and when there is a committee to be formed or a task to be done, they, quite naturally, are chosen. But is it because they arc so much more clever and energetic than the others? Sometimes, perhaps; more often, I think, because they are popular, or at- tractive, or brilliant as scholars. If we would only realize it, popularity or the honor roll is not necessarily a qualification for a committee. Some quiet, dependable person would probably fill the position very successfully. Per- haps that person never realized before her ability. And in the happy co-operation with others she makes new friends and finds a new interest in the school. If we could only discover such people, or help them to discover themselves, we would feel that more than a notable few had an interest in school activities. A small group cannot do for the school what every one, in co-operation with the others, can do. It is through the combined in terest and endeavor of every one that we gain the greatest success. M. C.

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6 THE GOLDEN-ROD OUR ADVERTISERS It isn’t the staff alone that makes or breaks a magazine. Behind our own Golden Rod, determining the amount of material in accordance with their willingness to support each issue by means of advertisements, are the business men of Quincy. We depend much on them for the success of the magazine, and they have so well sustained it since its first publication that I know we owe them many a “thank you”. In this respect they have shown a co-operative, friendly in- terest in the Golden Rod which gives it strength to become a bigger and better magazine. We sincerely hope our adver- tisers will continue to give us financial aid. and we urge the members of Quincy High School to patronize our supporters. M. C. SELF-CONFIDENCE While giving my views and perceptions on the subject. I regret that I must ad- dress this to a certain exclusive few. I shall always refer to those receiving a G, or possibly a high F, as it is obvious that, in many cases, they fail to achieve a satis- factory piece of work, or do not meet with the expectations of their respective teach- ers, when it comes to college board examinations. I have concluded that the trouble lies in one word. “SELF-CONFIDENCE.” I believe that self-confidence is a very ben- eficial virtue, and I shall endeavor to stimulate it. Does the word “self-confi- dence” mean much to you? If it does, just what does it mean: How do you interpret it? Are you self-confident: That might be the manner in which an elocutionist would deal with the subject. I am no elocutionist, however, but let us pull ourselves together, and know our- selves, trust and have confidence in our- selves. Most pupils recoil on hearing the words “college board exams.” There ap- pears to be an overwhelming tendency for the average pupil to fear or dread them. Confidentially, I am to take the college board examinations, and am in the same predicament with many. Until I consid- ered how to overcome these apprehensions of fear, I was scared to death on hearing those three words, “college board exams”. Some of the greatest men have pulled themselves out of the deepest ditches through self-confidence. Self-confidence has gained fame for some of the most prominent men in history. Then why not let it help us? It can. I am sure, if we will only give it a chance. If we have confidence in others, why not have confi- dence in ourselves? Incidentally, I shall take space to call your attention to one whom that virtue helped. A young architect, new to his profession, was given by his employer specifications for plans which he wished constructed. Because he was new to his trade, and had not had any real, practi- cable experience, he, at the moment, was about to inform his employer that he was not capable of making the plans, thinking that if he failed it would completely ruin his start in life. But this man had self- confidence. He grasped the papers and laughed. Why did he laugh? Because he had overcome that dread and fear of not being confident in himself. He laid the papers upon his desk, took out his draw- ing instruments, and started on the plans immediately. This very day the building stands as firm as his mind was when he decided that he was capable of putting the job over. Now what was the cause of this? That same word “self-confidence.” I declare

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Our Trip to Japan In the year J925 my uncle had occasion to go to Japan on business, and I was invited to accompany him. Imagine, if you can, my joy when I heard his invi- tation and accepted it. I met him in Xew York, and together we started, on the last day of May, on our long-waited for trip. Ye went first to Chicago, and stayed there two days, as my uncle had business to transact there. On Thursday we left Chicago on the train bound for Van- couver, from where we were to sail. We crossed the line which divides the United States and Canada soon after we left Chicago, and the next day we were in the Canadian Rockies. How beautiful they were! They are far more beautiful than our United States Rocky Mountains, though they are the same range. The next day we reached Vancouver. It was raining, and I was perhaps just a tiny bit surprised to sec that they used the same kind of umbrellas and rubbers as we do. I had been wont to look upon any city so far away from my home as uncivilized, or at least very different from ours. Our boat, the S. S. Empress of Canada, was to leave the following day. I was thrilled! My first real ocean trip! Of course, I had been on the over-night boats, which run between Boston and Xew York, several times. But to really sail on the ocean! But my high spirits were dampened a few hours after we left shore, for I was a poor sailor! The sec- ond day out I was all over my seasick- ness, however, and I spent my time in the cabin with the rest of the passengers. We had just struck the rainy season, and traveling so far north as we were made the air damp and dreary even if it did not rain. We did not mingle much with the passengers. There were only ten in the first class. One man was an Englishman, with whom we became quite friendly after the first few days. One Tuesday night I went to bed feeling very happy. The next day was to be my birthday. But when I awoke the next morning my uncle informed me that it was Thursday. We had crossed seme line in the ocean that caused us to skip a day—and of course it had to be my birthday. But a surprise was in store for me. The Englishman presented me with a beauti- ful blue silk scarf, which he had bought a short while ago in Japan. That was the last time he had been over there. We had a special dinner that day, with fancy cake and ice cream for dessert. Xot long after my birthday the captain told us we were due to arrive at Japan the next day. I was sorry, of course, to leave my ocean trip, for I had enjoyed it in spite of the continued rain, and the high waves that rose over the ship and made my heart jump into my mouth for fear the ship would be swamped. But nevertheless I was glad to set my foot cn terra firma once more, when we finally arrived in Japan. The big hotel in which we stayed for a few days in Yokohama was more of a puzzle to me than any- thing I have ever seen. There were so many corridors and passageways in it that every time I ventured out of my room without my uncle as guide I lost my way. One day I tried vainly to find my way to the dining room. I followed the signs, as far as I could, but every time I thought I was going along smoothly and would soon reach the dining room, I suddenly came to stairs, on to a cross- corridor and more signs. I eventually gave up the chase and had dinner in my room. I went to many other cities in Japan, but I spent most of my time in Osaka and