A B Davis High School - Maroon and White Yearbook (Mount Vernon, NY)

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Resolved that the government adopt a policy of subsidation for our schools. A dual debate was held by our DEBATING SOCIETY with Peekskill High School on this subject. The debate was the most important one on the program, for Peeks- kill High School had always been an annual rival. The officers of the Debating Society were Sidney Knafel, president, Bob Slote, vice-president, Donald Schwartz, secretary, and Richard Lynn, in charge of interscholastic debates. The histor- ical beginning of this Society developed with the founder, Mr. George Thompson, who not only encouraged debating, but ' wt . . , v also originated the sugges- X tion of a Davis debate before the Saturday Night Club of Mount Vernon. Out of this outstanding suggestion grew the now famous Davis De- bating Society. Under the splendid direction of Mr. C. B, johnson, our Davis dei- baters were recognized all over Westchester for their scholarship in debating on problems of world interest. DEBATING SOCIETY iTopi Row l: D. Schwartz, R. Slote, Mr. johnson, S, Knafelg Row 2: L. Schwab, L. Klein, B. Balkind, R. Lynn, A. Kramer, l. Goldberg, D. Stammg Row 3: R. Miller, R. Auerbach, R. Kaufman, W. Wein- rod, E. Tiryakian, D. Grossman, D. Schwartz. Would you believe that Mayor Hussey of Mount Vernon gave' up his political position for a day? Well, it was true, for anything could have happened when the OUR TOWN CLUB and Mrs. Walter Addis took over. Seated comfortably in the Mayor's chair was Robert Barrus, the new Mayor , and his chief assistants helping him in running Mount Vernon's municipal government were: Ben Balkind, City ludgeul lay Folger, Comptroller , Sid- ney Knafel, President of the Board of Education , and Robert Muson, President of the Board of AIdermen . Other members took over the remaining tasks. After working all morning at their different duties, the student officials were feted at the Studio Club with a steak dinner. The highlight of the day was when Edwin jediken, Fire Com- missionern, and Charles Brawn, Eire Chief climbed up the fire ladder to the top of City Hall. At various meetings guest speakers famil- iarized members with their city's educational, cultural, and government facilities. The Club had the largest membership in the school which is indicative of civic interest of our modern gen- eration. 21 nf 9 , Page forty-seven

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Cglzczt Gommon Lgrbitratofg zlme Ohl For an immediate world government! When one enlightened intellectual of the DAVIS FORUM piped up with this challenging state- ment, blows met and the only person who could unlock the controversial viewpoints was Dr. lon Carter Covell, the Forum's outstanding adviser and moderator. This club had no officers, for every member at one time represented Davis in forums at twelve different Westchester high schools. The discussions were conducted similar to the Town Meeting of the Air by having ques- tions from the audience. Ben Balkind, a Forum member, represented Davis at the Westchester County Youth Forum, where he was chosen to go to Albany. Another highlight was seeing State of the Union and touring Little Italy, the Bowery, and Chinatown. The Davis Forum prov- ed itself to be the most up and coming discussion group by enthusiastic student participation in Page forty-si.r international relationships and current prob- lems. Happy anniversary to you, sang the partici- pants in the TWENTIETI-I ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEBATING SOCIETY. Chairman Sidney Knafel extended a welcome to Mr. Cullen and guests, Mr. Cullen congratulated the Society and paid special tribute to Mr. johnson and Mr. Thompson, who later addressed the group, for the remarkable work they had done for Davis students. Edward Landau then took photographs. Mr. Childs spoke on The Mark of a Thinker , in which he emphasized the importance of pub- lic speaking and debating. The Twentieth Anni- versary closed with the entire group singing Auld Lang Syne . DAVIS FORUM iTopl Row I: L. Klein, I. Segal, R. Schwartz, A. Stern, A. Kramer, I. Wolf, G. Balkind, Row 2: G. Fiering, B. Luther, A. Weinburger, G. Scoledes, L, Schwab, R. Maseroni, S. Frankel, P. Blumberg, M. lacobs, B. Balkind, Dr. Covell

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QUIZ? AN' Cl md!! The administration of our city was managed for a day by OUR TOWN CLUB OFFICIALS shown in the picture above in the following or- der:-Row l 1 l-largrave, Supt. of Schools, Buh- rig, City Clerk, Meserole, Alderman, Wollman, Deputy Comm. of Public Safety, Ditchilc, Comm. of Public Safety, Barrus, Mayor, Balkind, City judge, Schindler, Alderman, Knafel, President of Board of Education, Muson, Pres. of Common Council, Schneider, Comm. of Water Supply, Sonnenblick, Civil Service Comm., Row 2: Canel- los, Sec. of Zoning Board of Appeals, Degen- hardt, Deputy Comm. of Public Works, Krell, Chief Inspector of Police, ledeiken, Fire Comm., Brown, Probation Officer, Braun, Fire Chief, Brown, Sup't. of Water Supply, Baklcen, Comm. of Public Health, Rodriguez, Comm. of Public Works, Morrison, Deputy City Clerk, Mayo, Recreation Supt., Row 31 Warshauer, Civil Serv- ice Comm., Schmidt, Ass't Corp. Counsel, Berg- mann, Corp. Counsel, Giacco, Director of Veter- an's Assistance, Duemmel, Registrar of Vital Statistics, Reichgott, Alderman, Gentilesco, City judge, Bliss, Civil Service Comm., Lupo, Deputy Comm. of Public Health, Carlson, Exec. Sec. to Mayor, McMillan, Sec. to Comptroller, Bartolotta, Deputy Comm. of Assessment and Taxation. judging from the happy expressions on the faces of administrators, the Davisites must have been successful managers. Page forty-ciglzt