Berkeley High School - Olla Podrida Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

Page 51 text:

SHORTHAND CLUB To save time for war work done after school hours the Shorthand Club held its meetings this term during the noon hour on alternate Mon- days. Each class in shorthand has furnished at least one program during the term. Among the topics discussed were the history of shorthand, terms used in market reports, Charles Dickens as an expert shorthand reporter, and his humorous descriptions of his own shorthand studies as found in David Copperfield. Talks have been given by men and women experienced in various lines of business. These helped to acquaint the students with the modern methods they will meet in the business world. The officers are: President, Christina Samuels; Vice-President, Alice Benning; Secretary, Mary Clark; Treasurer, Isabella Mcintosh. THE COMMERCIAL ENGLISH CLUB The Commercial English Club made its initial appearance this term. The Club was organized to satisfy the demand for such an organization and, judging from the enthusiasm shown by its members, it is here to stay. Meetings are held once in two weeks. The work consists of oral and written work of various kinds and the study of standard works by standard authors. Set talks, informal discussions, lively debates, the presentation of small plays, the study of famous essays and novels, and reports on books fill the Club ' s programs. Many good times were enjoyed by the Club members on trips, picnics, evening parties, and luncheons. The officers are: President, Alexis Post; Vice-President, Isabella Mcintosh; Secretary-Treasurer, Arthur Roberts. PIANO CLUB Violinists and flutists in large numbers are welcomed into the B. H. S. orchestra, but even the magnanimity of that organization and the mag- nitude of our auditorium would not admit of twenty-five pianists on the platform. The result has been the formation of a Piano Club which meets once every two weeks and which studies the works of the best composers. Constant playing before the Club has given an added poise and polish to the playing of the students. This work of the members has resulted in much improvement in the technique and expression of their playing. The officers for the term are: President, Clare Lenfesty; Secretary, Louise Runckel.

Page 50 text:

Spanish speakers of note are secured to talk to the Club. Among the speakers whom the Club has had the privilege of hearing this term are Senor Gaxiola, editor of Hispano America; and Professor Jaen, of the University of California. At the close of this term all the members participated in a social evening given by the Club. The entire program of skits, music, and games was given in Spanish, furnishing an evening replete with interest and fun. The Club meetings are held fortnightly. The officers are: President, Aida Verdi; Vice-President, Scott Ruby; Secretary, Richard Ehlers. GERMAN CLUB For the purpose of affording an opportunity to hear and speak the language they are studying, the German students have again organized the German Club. Varied and interesting programs have been furnished the Club by an elected committee of three. The students gave recitations and illus- trated lectures. The meetings ended with all the members joining in singing German songs and playing German games. Each year toward the end of the fall term an entertainment befitting the Christmas-tide is held. This usually takes the form of a German play, written and staged by the students. The Club meets on alternate Wednesdays in Room 108. The officers are: President, Philip Urner; Vice-President, Frieda Hein; Secretary, Parker Allen. Plans are under way for a German paper, similar to the successful issues of last term, to be edited by the Club which probably will be published at Christmas time. THE GREEK CLUB. The Greek Club of the Berkeley High School was organized nine years ago by Miss Clayes. Since that time an ever-increasing interest in the achievements and ambitions of the Club has been shown by the students. This interest was further aroused by the appearance of the Greek paper, Athene, the pioneer language paper of B. H. S. and the only one of its kind in America. It has received recognition by classical students and publications all over the United States. The Club meets every two weeks, and among the interesting programs planned is a series of illustrated lectures on Greece, by Miss Clayes. The officers are: President, Enid Ogden; Vice-President, Leona Benning; Secretary-Treasurer, Rhea Boynton.

Page 52 text:

Forum Membership in Berkeley High School ' s only debating society, the Forum, was in such demand this year that in addition to the usual scholarship requirements tryouts were necessary to keep the membership within bounds. The Forum meets during the fifteen-minute advisory period on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The members give short debates on live questions of current interest. The plan adopted by the Interscholastic Public Speaking League of California of each debater preparing both sides of the question and being assigned the affirmative or negative at the time of the debate was successfully followed this term. In the early part of the term faculty and Forum members gave interesting talks on parliamentar} law and the purpose and the methods of debating. That the Forum has ably succeeded in its task of developing good debaters is shown by the fact that in the tryouts for the interclass and school debating teams Forum members captured all the places. The officers are: President, James Sewell; Vice-President, William Biddle; Secretary, Ida Ellen Spitler. DEBATING The Berkeley High Debating Team came out on top in the big debating event of the term, the first intra-district debate of the California League of Public Speaking, by defeating Alameda and Napa. Hall Griffiths and Wheeler Jensen, the Berkeley negative, won from Alameda two to one, while James Sewell and Kenneth Williams of the affirmative won from Napa, twice winner of the state championship in the last three years. Six teams entered the interclass debates, the seniors, Hall Griffiths, Harold Crockett, Kenneth Williams, and Wheeler Jensen, winning unani mously. Debating isn ' t occupying that old back-seat position of the days of yore. It is coming to the front and if the increasing interest of the students is any indication, it will soon be one of Berkeley High ' s most popular activities.