University High School - U Highlights Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

Page 19 text:

Second only to athletics in a school are the musical organizations. This year has been a noteworthy one, as it marks the real beginning of musical development in the school. At present we have a Hue, well-drilled chorus, composed of twenty-four students of the high school. This chorus has afforded the student body great pleasure and enjoyment by its singing in the mass meetings and elsewhere. In addition to the chorus we support an excellent mandolin club, consist- ing of twelve mandolins and two violins. The music which both of these organizations have rendered has been well selected and of a high order, and has been appreciated by all who have had the good fortune to listen to it. For those who are not able to compete in athletics, music is a good alternative. The advantages in training the voice early cannot be overestimated. A fellow who leaves high school with a good working knowledge of music-its reading and rendering-is, indeed, far ahead of his companion who knows practically nothing about the art. It is a great recommendation for a man on going to college to be able to say that he belonged to a good musical organization during his high school course. The experience which one gets in singing or playing with other people before an audience is very valuable in after life. In addition to the ex- perience which one gains in such musical organizations as either of those referred to, a great deal of enjoyment is gotten out of them. The uninitiated cannot imagine what fun it is to sing and play with other fellows C and girlsj , and occasionally to perform before an audience. In future years we are confident that these organizations-the chorus and the mandolin club- will receive the hearty and enthusiastic support of the student body. Never before has debating played such an important part in the life of the school as during the past year. Interest in literary work has grown amazingly, and, what is better, has not ebbed after reaching the high-water mark. The Clay Club, the oldest debating society in the school, has flourished exceedingly, and its programs have been uniformly excellent and interesting. The Hamilton Society, which was formed last year, has also taken a boom, Its membership is in- creasing and it is fast raising its standard. The Hamilton Society won the debate from the Clay Club this year, a fact which shows that there are capable men interested in it. New features in the way of debating this year are the clubs which were formed in the two lower classes. The Sophomore Debating Club started with a blaze of fireworks, and now, with less pyrotechnical dis- play, is doing good work. Most noteworthy is the Literary Society of 1908. This club is one of the most successful clubs in the school. Interest and enthusiasm are running high, the member- ship is close to fifty and the Freshmen are improving in their work every meeting. This use in debating is very encouraging to the deans and faculty, as they realize that it is a great advantage for a man to be able to speak clearly and fiuently before an audience, to be able to think on his feet and preserve his self-possession. In future years let these debating societies be in as prosperous a condition as they are now, and the University High School will, indeed, have cause to feel proud. The progress of the University High School! Are we moving along in the right direction, and do our results, thus far, justify the expectations of our many friends? We think we can safely and truthfully answer in the affirmative. Constantly we are being told how new we are, out here at the Varsity High, what obstacles we have to overcome because of this very rawness, and also because of the experimental character of some of the work being done among us. True it is that we are somewhat new to our surroundings and that Time alone can efface our youth. Also it is true that we are proceeding along new lines in some directions, but let us not forget that we are in the hands of wise and competent educators, who will not take a step on untried ground without careful consideration. We believe that there are no backward steps being taken in this great school of ours, but that all work here is making for genuine progress in the field of education. Surely the students are becoming imbued, most encouragingly, with the spirit of co-operation and unification, and, in many cases, with a keen appreciation of the unrivaled advantages we are enjoying. Let us not forget, then, for a moment, our splendid shool environment, our unequaled equipment and our notable faculty, and let us remember with pride that we are the child, albeit the infant child, of so great a parent as the University of Chicago. I9

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In the spring of 1904 we had a baseball team which brought great credit to the school. Al- though it did not win the championship of the league, nevertheless it rendered a good account of itself, especially as it was the first baseball team in the history of the University High School. Last fall we were represented by a Hne, plucky football team, light but fast. As the other teams in the league had heavy elevens we were unanimously conceded last place. The others had not counted on that ighting spirit which our men were to exhibit. By dint of hard work and good coaching, the team was whipped into shape for the league games. In these contests our men surprised their opponents greatly, winning the first three games and losing the last game after fighting pluckily against a team which was thoroughly experienced and outweighed them twenty pounds to the man. This gave us second place. Never before has such true grit and stick-to-it- iveness been exhibited by a University High School team. The indoor track season was not as encouraging as we had hoped it would be. The prospects early in the year looked very bright, and we thought we might possibly win a place in the indoor series of meets. In the open meet at the First Regiment Armory, our relay team won easily. After this, however, several of our best men were barred by conditions, others had to devote more of their time to other work, and as a result but nine or ten men were left to wear our colors on the indoor track. These representatives did well, living up to the standard set by the football men. Three or four men did especially good work g our relay team showed itself to be on a par with the others, but in some way we failed to make good. Better things are looked for when the men go outdoors on the cinder-path. This is the first year we have had a basket-ball team. The five did not show up very well owing to the frequent shifts required on account of the Withdrawal of a number of players through deiciency in studies. Never before has a team suffered so severely from the yellow cards. The same combination was never used in more than one game. This state of affairs is disastrous to team-work, and without team-work a basket-ball team is, indeed, at sea. Dining most of the season we were represented by what really amounted to the third team. However, we played our schedule and finished all of the league games. We also had a girls' basket-ball team this year. The captain was elected and a coach secured early in the season. Under the latter's direction the team was soon working smoothly. The girls have practiced hard and faithfully, and in the games contested they have played pluckily and well. The managers of athletic teams receive very little credit from the board of control or the students for the work they do in behalf of their teams and the school. This is not as it should be. The duties of the manager are many and difficult. In many cases the manager is compelled to devote himself wholly to the interests of his team, allowing his studies to fall behind, and prevent- ing him from engaging in any other form of student activity. The manager is regarded as a drudge. This is not the proper light in which to put him. He should receive some recognition from the board of athletic control, in the way of an emblem, sweater or cap. As the athletics of the school are improving from year to year, it is to be hoped that the manager will occupy a more prominent position than he now holds. Up to this date those men who have played on the teams have received little or no reward for their work in behalf of the school. This was due to the fact that old-fashioned methods were em- ployed in the collection of money for the athletic fund. Next year this will be different. We shall then have a well-organized athletic association to bear the expenses of om' teams. With this system in force, every man who has earned a U will get it, and there will be more reward for those who have worked faithfully than heretofore. We shall undoubtedly turn out better teams when the students of the school realize that they will receive' their just deserts if they practice hard and regularly. - 18

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