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

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Students COUHC11 .Hfrllalnfnum.fnrlmuuirlrmuuwU nruurlwill1Ium,.Hf41n1NWHlU MNusmW,innrnmiwumuluulunmnMmrnumuammlnlaunmrlmrnh Pdl-IRJ VPCIGJ S F B T R C S A A C H

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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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Students' Council AST year it was apparent to the deans and faculty that there should be some medium between the students and teachers. As a result of this need it was decided to organize a body called the Students' Council, this council to be made up of four people from each class, viz., its president, vice-president, secretary, and one representative elected by the class. The Students' Council last year did a remarkably good work. It put the Weekly on a sound financial basis and elected good men to fill the positions on the staff, it engineered two or three dances for the benet of athletics in the school. These affairs, besides affording a fund for athletics, served also to unite the student body, and produced a great deal of school spirit. The Council also recommended to the faculty various things about the school which should be remedied, or supplied: things trival in themselves, perhaps, but which, taken together, amounted to a great deal. This year, owing to various circumstances, the Students' Cormcil was not called together until the middle of the second quarter. At its first meeting Henry R. Johnston, '05, was elected pres- ident, George Janisch, '06, vice-president, Floyd Barnet, '07, was chosen secretary, Richard Compton, '06, treasurer, and Axel Hultquist, '05, was elected sergeant-at-arms. The Council immediately started to work. It recommended to the Board of Athletic Control the managers of all the athletic teams, including next years football team. In addition, various improvements about school were suggested to the faculty. Owing to the fact that the Weekly was in competent hands, and also that it had run for over a quarter unassisted, the Students' Council assumed no control over the publication. The most important work which has been done, up to the present time, by the Council, has been the starting of an Athletic Association. The benefits which will accrue to athletics through this association cannot be overestimated. Men who have Worked hard for the different teams will get suitable emblems. We shall have a reputation for generosity to our athletes which will bring other men interested in sports to our school. All the students will feel an interest in the athletics, because each one will help to support them. We shall have better spirit and loyalty in the school than ever before. That this will be brought about by this year's Students' Council is indeed something of which to be proud. Next year, to get the best results, the Council should be organized as soon as school com- mences. In this way the body will keep the trend of affairs much better and 'will do more intel- ligent work. The students who make up the Council are as follows: 1905 1906 MERRILL M. FOLLANSBEE GEORGE JANISCH AXEL C. HULTQUIST CLYDE BENHAM HENRY R. JOHNSTON BERT WEARY' STANLEY G. MILLER RICHARD COMPTON 1907 1908 FLOYD BARNET KINGSLEY MARTIN HELEN E. FOSTER DORTHY McCoY KENNETH MacKENz1E JOSEPH BARKER MARY YEAZEL 21