Albion State Normal School - Sage Yearbook (Albion, ID)

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Zbistorp of the Qlimersnnian Svnrietp The Emersonian society, which is the oldest so- ciety in the school was organized in the year 1896 with only fourteen charter members. The first meeting was called in the first floor of the old rock building, and here they elected the first set of officers, the first president being John 0. liowe, who has taken a course in the dental department of the Northwestern University, of Chicago, Illi- nois, and is now practicing and is a successful dentist of Oakley, Idaho. The Hrst secretary was Miss Elison CMrs. Estella Haightl who was an earnest worker while she was connected with the society. The following are the names of the char- ter members. Stephen Parke, John O. llowe, .Tohn Clook, Ber- tha Hansen, Edith Howell, Arthur Miller, lilva Conover, Maude Kelley, Reuben Beecher, May Leavitt, George Cook, liee Fisher, Flstella Elison and Ada Rice. Mr. Parke is at the present time Principal of the Twin Falls High School and has gained for himself an excellent reputation. Mr. Fisher is a lawyer and 1 know that all Emersonians wish him success. Miss Bertha Hansen was the lirst one of the charter members to graduate from the school. She was graduated in the year 1898, being the only one in the class. She taught for some time but later served as deputy auditor and recorder of Cassia county for two years. Before the society was organized there was an elocution class to which the students belonged, and it was a ruling of the school that each student should give some literary work in the chapel at different times during the year. But when the so- ciety was organized those joining it were not re- quired to give the literary work in the chapel and as the Emersonian system of elocution was used in the school at that time, that name was chosen for the society, and the members of today are more than pleased with the appropriate name which they selected. The society from its very beginning has been an honor to the school and there is no doubt but that it will continue to be, so long as there is such a thing a sthe Albion State Normal School. The society first adopted for its rules Robert's Rules of Order, which they continued to use until 1901, when they changed to Cushings, Boiled Down. But since the Emersonians have the reputation of being wide awake and always having the best of everything, they soon discovered their mistake in changing rules, and in 1904 reverted to Robert 's Rules. Wlieii the Philomathean society was organized in the fall of 1897, all that were old members of the lilmersonian society remained as such. From the remainder of the student body there were as many members selected according to their standard in the school for the Philomathean as there were members in the Emersonian. All that were left oven after this selection were divided alphabetically, that is, if there were two students whose names began with B one be- came an Emersonian and the other a Philomath- can. l Our society at the beginning met in the rock building, and from there they went to different rooms in the main building, meeting one Friday in the room in which the piano was, and rendering a literary program, and the next Friday in one of the other rooms, and on such days the program would consist of al debate. But we are proud that we new have a hall of our own where we can meet

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EMERSON IAN HALL

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each Friday evening and also that it ranks second to none in the school for beauty and comfort. It was during the year of 1907-1908 that it was fresh- ly papered and new curtains and window shades were purchased. Our piano, bought in 1906-1907 is now paid for. These improvements add greatly to the beauty of our hall. Next year we will be able to purchase a new carpet. All will then be practically new. During the last two years the membership of the society has increased greatly. The members are, a number of them, young, but they do good work and are loyal to the society. In the last year the contest work, such as de- bating, declamation, oratory, etc., has been chiefly won by the Emersonians. In the debating team, 1 the champion team of southern Idaho! two were Emersoniansg of the Declamatory team two were Emersoniansg and the winner of the original ora- torical contest was an Emersonian. This shows that the Emos',' are not slow, and, altho two years ago many were young members, that they can do things. Of the Albion State Normal Or- chestra fifteen of the twenty are Emersonians. of the Albion State Normal Cadet Band ten of the nineteen are Emersonians. See what a part they play in the school! We are noted for our splendid plays, one of which is given each year by some of the members who are chosen by the instructor. These plays are given for the purpose of supporting the so- ciety and improving the hall. Our present critic is Prof. Knipe, who is a great worker for the good of the society and encourages the members a great deal. Our critics do not stay with us but ten weeks and we only hope that our next critic pleases us as well as Prof. Knipe. Miss Ellen Larsen is our present president and she has shown herself fully competent to hold this honored place. This short history is intended to give the reader some idea of the working of the Emersonian so- ciety and of the progress we are continually mak- ing. HILLA COOPER.