Townsend Harris High School - Crimson Gold Yearbook (Flushing, NY)

Page 86 text:

FRIENDSHIPS It would seem fitting that the President of the Senior Class use the space allotted him in the Crimson and Gold for extolling the many virtues and attributes of the group he heads. If I followed this accustomed course, I would be expounding only established truths. The banquet, senior-day, the prom, and the various other functions which the class of January, 1934-, has successfully sponsored, proclaim it as one of the best Harris has ever had. But there is a more important factor than the extra-curricular endeavors of the class. That factor is the formation of associations which have increased our spiritual properties. Harris social life has acted as a stimulus, for it presents a plot in which to sow the seed of eternal friendship and, unlike Senior groups of the past, this one certainly has taken ad- vantage of the opportunities offered. The fact that we have arrived at our pres- ent status by overcoming hardships and al- most insurmountable difliculties, the fact that we have successfully assumed the leader- ship of the school, is irrelevant. Our great- est accomplishment has been the establishing of friendships among our schoolmates. And these enduring friendships are preciousg for when we look back on our scholastic career we shall see that all our triumphs were as nothing in comparison with associations that remain firm during our life-time. Solomon Chaikin, President Senior Class page eighty-two

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CLASS SECTIUN The essential unit of Harris, the class, upon whose smooth functioning depends the success of the school, is composed of indi- viduals united by common purposes. It is comparable to a cell within a larger, more complex organism. Its legislative and execu- tive bodies are counterparts of the school or- ganizations. The class cannot exist without the support of the school, and vice-versag therefore, a flawless cooperative system is necessitated. The class prepares its members for school activities. From it come, in each branch of experience, those who compose the leading groups of the school. The ranks of the var- sity teams are filled by practised class mem- bers. They are best fitted to serve their Alma Mater. Those aspiring to garner journalistic honors become interested in the production of a class paper. During their association with this journal, their latent abilities are developed and encouraged. When these stu- dents are qualified, school publications enlist them on their staffs. The leaders of the class, its ablest men, in whom has been fostered a faculty for guidance and responsibility, be- come leaders of the school. The united Har- ris recognizes this quality of leadership im- bued in its students and raises the deserving ones to high and responsible executive positions. One need only observe the progress of a single class to become cognizant of the ad- vancement of the entire schoolg for each in- tegral unit does its share toward the further- ance of a better Townsend Harris. page eighty-one hs. Q 79 limllm n Nllilllll i sting., ll .5

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CLASS FUNCTIONS The class function is an established custom in Harris, and from the nature of the func- tion may be determined the character of the class. For apparent reasons, the most important of which is unfamiliarity with the school and its ways., the Lower C class does not have a function. But after advancing a grade and being imbued with a greater confidence and enthusiasm, the Upper C's feel themselves capable of giving a reception for the new freshmen. It is customary to present enter- tainment at these semestral gatherings. Oc- casionally, as happened this semester, the U. C Class sponsors another function, which, lf successful, increases its prestige. It is usu- ally in Lower B, however, that a true class activity is first arranged. The class members attend a boat ride, ball-game, or any other entertaining diversion. As Upper B's, the students become more sedate and less loqua- cious. Their responsibilities have had a sobering eH'ect, and again they succeed in promoting a function-generally a rally. The Lower A's deem it fitting that a more pre- tentious afair, one indicative of the elevated ranks of the class-a banquet-should be staged. Finally comes the senior term. Upper A's lead in most of the school's activities. They publish the Stadium and issue a Crim- son and Gold, but the crowning glory of their last term in Harris is the successful sponsor- ship of a senior prom. Thus, the cycle of enjoyable functions, all of which have helped to inculcate a feeling of pride and self-respect in the heart of the Harrisite, comes to a brilliant close. page eighty-three