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

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»i (jAhr ATi(in This term the Fornm will face a crisis. To speak plainly, the Forum consists almost entirely of high seniors — in fact, there are but two or three members who are not members of that class. This fact indicates the necessity of introducing -x great deal of new material if the society is to continue its ex- istence after next term. Naturally this material must come from the lower classes. The Forum needs ten. possiljly fifteen, really nearnest fellows who desire to get some good out of the society. A ' e have limited the membership list to twenty-five in order to be able to produce a really helpful organization, and those fellows who really want to help will not be disappointed. This term Berkeley High again debates her old rival Oak- land. AA ' e have been informed that the tryouts for the term will take place shortly, so boys and girls prepare. Although not the Forum team, the team which debates Oakland is usually a product of the organization, so naturally all members are interested. The debate this year promises to be a good one. The two teams will be about evenly matched, and it will be a fight from the start. For a debate can be a fight, contrary to the consensus of opinion about the school, and it can be a good fight. This is the first debate for an entire year, so get interested — and help. 18

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IS IT WORTH IT? This is what you get for the One Dollar Student T)ues: The Olla Podrida. Six Basketball Games. Six Baseball Games. Two Track Meets. Swimming Meets and Tennis Games. Membership in the Associated Students. This is what you cannot do, unless a member of the Associated Students. You cannot: Participate in Athletics. Serve on the Pod Staff. Hold an Associated Students Office. Hold a Class Office. Serve on any School Committee. Vote at Student Body Elections, Be a Candidate for Any Office Next Term. In fact, you are not in it unless a member. IS IT WORTH 17 IT ?

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OLLA PODRIDA Agora The Agora Literary and Debating Society, one of the fore- most organizations of the Berkeley High School, was orga- nized in ' 06 by a small band of enthusiastic workers, in order to extend debating and give permanency to forensic effort. The purpose for which this society was organized is cer- tainly a splendid one, but the benefits that have developed since its organization have been far greater than many of us give it credit for. There is no student activity which can at any time be more interesting and at the same time instruc- tive, than debating ; and there is no way by which a student can be more successful and can better develop his or her for- ensic powers than by membership in either of the two debat- nig societies existing in the High School. Debating prepares the student for straightforward public speaking, overcoming the habit of hesitancy. It banishes all traces of self-conscious- ness and awkwardness. The Agora is under the auspices of the Debating League of Californ ia. This league is comprised of the debating socie- ties of most of the prominent schools of central California, such as Lowell High, Mission, San Jose, Martinez, Humboldt Evening High, AVashington Evening High, Santa Clara High, Berkeley High, and California Institute for the Blind. These schools contest with each other for silver trophy cups, med- als, etc. The Agora will debate San Jose High February 11th, on the subject, Resolved, that the several State Legislatures should ratify the Eederal amendment providing for an income tax. This is one of the leading questions of the day, and should arouse a great deal of interest. The winner of this debate will have the privilege of meeting Lowell High for the Stanford University Trophy Cup. Debating, conducted as it should be, and as the Agora has tried to foster it, gives to the student Qourage and self-reliance, and lays the foundation for higher and noble r ideals. 19