sition starts I generally feel fairly well, and I think that I can talk just as well as the next fellow. But by the time about three of the students have spoken I begin to get nervous. I begin to wonder if I haven't forgotten something. When about six have finished speaking I usually have my original preparation so badly mixed up that I can't get it cleared in my mind. I can think of nothing else. I am generally aroused from my thoughts by the teacher's sharp, "How many times do I have to call you? Are your ears bad?" I answer meekly, "N-n-no mam," and slowly make my way to the front of the class. First I give an idea of what I am to talk about; then I paused to think of what comes next. This usually takes quite a while. While I am thinking I glance around the room; this look confuses my thoughts and starts my imagination. Oh! Why was I born with an imagination! It will wreck my fe yet. I can't keep my thoughts on my subject. I wonder what the teacher is grinning at! Dollars to doughnuts it's "me." What wouldn't I give to be able to sink through the floor? What is everyone else laughing at? It can't be me, but it must be me. Who else is there to laugh at? Oh! How I wish I had some place to hide! After a minute or two of this— I would say a week—I return to my seat and wonder what I have id. The teacher does not leave me in suspense for long. She and the class discuss the many faults and the very few good qualities of my story. I denounce all forms of recitation and leave class feeling "like thirty cents."—Bruce Shields. BEST DAY OF YEAR No doubt Christmas is the best day of the year not only to the children but also to other members of the family. This particular day—this best day of the year—is celebrated and held saved in memory of the birth of Christ. Although Christmas is not celebrated on the same day for all races of people it is celebrated on some day of the year for all people who accept Christianity. Christ's spirit of rendering service which signifies the true Christmas spirit has been passed along. Even those who are discontented and otherwise unhappy are made to feel happy on this day when we are trying to make the world brighter. The poor and the helpless are made happy and thankful for the gifts and words of encouragement they receive, and the persons who give the gifts or utter the words of encouragement find oy actual experience that it is indeed more blessed to give than to receive. Christmas brings good cheer to every one that has the Christmas spirit—the spirit of love and peace found in every place, and in every person as long as he is trying to do some one "a good turn." Christmas is the best day in the year, because it plants deep in our minds the great lesson of unselfishness and it leaves with us a desire to do good. This desire often grows into a determination to be of service—to bestow gifts of service every day of the year. Of such giving Lowell wrate so beautifully: "Not what we give but what we share, For the gift without the giver is bare; Who gives himself with his alms feeds three— Himself, his hungry neighbor, and me." —VERNAL JOHNSON. OGDEN HIGH Dec Today’s notes consist of three articles written by two pupils. These articles may well take the place of news items for they are full of “meat.” We recommend them especially to all students and we are of the opinion that our patrons will also get a kick out of them. They are “peppy.” SECOND PERIOD. The second period classes are the most looked-for classes of the day. Why? That's what I wonder is "why?" Well I think I have it. It's the questions we have to answer, for some questioner of the schoolroom, the school, the city, the slate, the country, and the world. They are trying to find out if every screw in the head is tight, if every leg is on properly, if all ten fingers are arranged correctly, and last, but not least, if you are all there. If you left half yourself at home asleep or on the table or in your drawer or on the way to school. Of course, they must give something else to keep us coming, so they give us each a little piece of candy each Tuesday. Although the pupils are supposed to be grownups, they are still children when the candy—iodine pills—is passed around and each one takes her piece. SUMMONED. Something else most generally happens. It is very rarely that a second period class passes without some poor little brown clad laddy from the office hunting up some girl. He says: "Mary is wanted at the office," and, if he sees her rise and start toward him, his heart leaps up and his face grows pale as he walks down the stairs alongside this good looking Mary. Well, the second period closes, the bell rings and everyone's face has a frown and everyone stumbles through the halls thinking of the class period. Class is over and their pleasure is over for twenty-four hours when they will meet again to answer a few questions and to go to the office. VIOLA SAUNDERS. CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. "Seven more shopping days before Christmas!" "Do your Christmas shopping early!" These and similar advertisements meet one's eye at every turn. Christmas shopping is one of the happiest pastimes of the year (also one of the most difficult). Shopgirls are overworked. One's mind is overtaxed as one tries to think of suitable presents for friends. And Dad's pocketbook is a sure victim of this mania for Christmas shopping. We—as school students— should help smooth over a few difficulties. Let's do "do our Christmas shopping early," as far as possible. Let's be considerate of the clerks. Let's be considerate of the fellow-shopper. Let's decide on articles as quickly as possible, therefore saving shopgirls many steps. Let's appreciate the efforts of the clerks to please. Therefore making it a happier "Christmas shopping" for all concerned—parents, friends, clerks and teachers. MELVA BILLS. THE CLASSICUM. Have Ogden High School students any outlet for expression? Of assurance! For instance, our worthy "Classicum." Worthy indeed, but are not the editions rather far apart? Of every twelve months, we spent nine in school, four—only four—"Classicums" are issued. The orig-nal purpose of the "Classicum" was to give students a way to express their opinions. A very worthy mission, we admit. Yet, with only four issues of the paper, this is practically impossible. By the time a student's opinion, or suggestion, is printed and other students are allowed to read it, said student may be dead, married, or may have moved out of town. Let's have more issues of the "Classicum." I'd dare bet—if I wasn't broke—that the majority of the students in Ogden High do not so much as I know the name of the editor of said paper. How very democratic! East High school of Salt Lake recently printed an editorial telling of the j election of the officers for their school paper, "The Red and Black." The election was described as the peppiest time the school would probably expect all year. For editor, twelve candidates were nominated. After a week six were eliminated. A few days later the remaining six were to be voted on by the student body. One does not need to stretch his imagination to see that the election "pepped up" many students and was enjoyed by all. How different is this election from the appointing, by Mr. Merrill-—on the recommendation of English teachers—of the lucky (?) person who edits our paper. We need (emphatically) more democracy in our school and schol paper. CONVENTION HELD. A recent convention was held in the east for the editors of all high school papers. Did you, fellow student, know of it? East High's editor of their school paper had his fare paid for him and was present at the convention. Why wasn't our editor given the same privilege?! Was any enthusiasm shown because of the event? If so, when? If not, why not? Recently all; the school papers were judged, honors being given for the best. East High's "Red and Black" ranked fourth in the column. Ogden High's "Classicum" was not mentioned—not even noticed. Pep, enthusiasm, spirit, where art thou? Ogden High school has the record of being one of the best schools of the west. Last year the average percentage of our graduation examination papers ranked j as second best with the other high schools. Why shouldn't our school paper rank as high? Should not the paper be worthy to be Ogden High's school paper? FIRST STEP. When, in 1896, the two .boys, Spencer and Rich, started the school paper, their purpose—as I have once stated—Was to furnish a way for students to express their opinions. How many opinions are expressed? Is not the paper more of a typical short story and poem-' magazine? Even so, it is very interesting—but how much more so it could be made! When the paper was first started students unanimously supported it. Now—weep aloud—we are compelled to take the paper, in order to insure its publication. Again—with how much enthusiasm do we greet the issues? Why this change? Once again—why this change? Is Ogden High's pep decreasing? Are we losing interest in school news? Are we lacking in the proper school spirit? We unanimously say "No!" Therefore let us resurrect and do our best to bring about the reformation of Ogden High and its pape. Let's have a "Classicum" printed every month! Let's have some "new stuff!" Let's prove we are not lacking in school spirit. And let's, show outsiders that we are "still alive!" MELBA BILLS OGDEN HIGH S CHRISTMAS TIME. Snow a flyin', bells a rlngin', Songs of gladness in the air, Voices joyful, hearts a singin', People hurryin' every where. Sprigs of mistletoe and holly, Christmas trees and toys galore. Makes you forget your tears and folly, For Christmas time is here once more. —Naomi Wilbur. INTELLIGENCE TEST. The office girl has a new intelligence test. This one, however, is for the teachers—not the pupils. This popular young woman has a beautiful Christmas tree just back of her desk and as the teachers enter the office they are met with: "What is lacking in this Christmas tree?" Some teachers answer right off the bat and get 10.0. Most of them stumble, however, answering: "Tinsel," "candles," "star," "popcorn," "decorations," etc., ad infinitum. These answers are unsatisfactory to the wily clerk. Just as a mild hint to such teachers as have not undergone the test, we will say the answer is a single word of eight letters, beginning with a "p" and ending with "s." Now can you guess? A FINE SHOW. The Ham-And club's first annual radio show has been declared by exhibitors, by the management of the Egyptian theatre, and by the public a genuine success—a very worthwhile evert. Every known make of apparatus was represented in very excellent style adding materially to the very artistic entrance of that most beautiful theatre. The excellent programs put on each night were very favorably received and all in all, the show idea carried over beautifully. The boys and the advisors, Messrs. Wangsgard and Smith, are to be congratulated on this first show—and we all hope that it will become an annual affair. Manager Peery and the exhibitors have already expressed their willingness to co-operate again next year. GAMES TODAY. Coach Kapple and two basketball squads are leaving for Salt Lake early today to play L. D. S. in the Deseret gymnasium at 4 o'clock. With all these splendid pre-season games we are assured that the basketball season will be more interesting and lively than for several years past. Fred Gentsch, '23, now at Wharton school of finance, University of Pennsylvania, is home for the holidays and gave the high school of finance, University of Pennsylvania, is home for the holidays and gave us a pleasant visit. Judge J. A. Howell was scheduled to address the assembly today at 11:15 o'clock. Some excellent music was also promised. The assembly was to be conducted under the auspices of the student body. President James Ure presiding. SOME JOY KILLERS. Of all the odious persons I know I dislike most that one who tells a youthful worshipper of a certain legendary character: "Ah, there ain't no Santa Claus." He may take the form of the neighborhood bully, the remarkable know-it-all, or some other scrooge, but to me, whoever he is, he is the worst of the Christmas kill-joys. In almost every family, including inlaws, there is, so to speak, a Christmas miser, one who gives not as a giver, but as a receiver. It is he who does most in reversing the words of Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Another well-known kill-joy, the commercialized Christmas giver, is somewhat like his brother miser. This dealer in coins does his best to make the exchange of gifts an exchange of lucre. One finds him everywhere. To me, Christmas has never seemed quite such a rub of the magic, since a certain know-it-all told me of Santa's identity, and the true giver of the longed-for gifts. But, after all, it is not the gift but the giver and his spirit of giving that brings the real happiness. CARMA SMUIN. DORMANT TALENT. A teacher complained the other day that we do not find more opportunity and occasion to utilize and encourage the abundant talent represented in the high school. Many students have talents and abilities unutilized which should be permitted to function so that they might have normal, natural development. Much has been said of late concerning extra-curricular clubs and organizations that promote growth and give opportunity for self expression. We heartily second the recommendation recently made that other clubs be formed so that every student shall have an opportunity to participate in at least one organization. CLUB BANQUET. On Wednesday evening last the cast of "Seven Keys to Baldpate," accompanied by Miss Beck, director; Manager Bill Gunnell, Principal Merrill, Dean Irwin, President Ure and Beth Winkler of the cast of 1924 held a delightful, social and banquet in the Spanish room of the Reed hotel. Superintendent Hopkins and Franklin Richards were invited guests also, but were unable to be present. Harper Culley proved to be a wide-awake toastmaster and kept things moving during the evening. Each member of the cast quoted his favorite lines, and interesting toasts were given by George Glen, Forbes Campbell, Winifred Mans, James Ure, Winfield Scott, Principal Merrill and Miss Beck. Miss Jean Wainer, Frances Hfeles and Hal Armstrong furnished most acceptable music for the occasion.