Allen Stevenson School - Unicorn Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 93 text:

SPEECHES 'I' HE last four Friday morning assemblies in the spring featured the finalists in the annual pub- lic speaking contest. In the semi-final rounds, facul- ty judges graded the speakers in six categories, ranging from content to delivery, on a scale of one to ten. The two winners in each of the top three grades went on to compete against each other in the final round, judged by Mr. White iPresident of the Boardj, Mr. Boocock fHeadmaster of Buckley Schooll, Mrs. Roffman fformer parent, Trusteej and Mrs. Leighton iHead of Lower Schoolj. The seventh grade finalists began the season, with Frank Visconti relating how Saudi Arabia was not a million-dollar paradise but a dirt-poor land where only a very few enjoyed the benefits of oil revenues. He was followed by Clinton johnson, who spoke on the evils of alcohol abuse. Warren Etheredge gave an amusing talk on pickles iwhich won him first place in the gradej, followed by second place win- ner Alex Gellert, who spoke on the benefits of New York City living. The eighth grade speakers followed on the next Friday, and here Barrett Lester emerged the winner with a skillfully worded and presented talk of sleep. Second place winner lan Fischer talked about how computers will soon replace man, while close third place man Tim Reunitz discussed abandoning the Electoral College, The rest of the eighth graders all placed within a 20-point span, and some of these were jimmy lacobs l what the world is turning into j, Dean Landis iagainst corporal punishment in schoolsj, Clifton York fdisastersj, and Eric vanLeight this experiences in a French schoolj. The following week the ninth graders spoke. Bod- ey Brookins predicted his vision of A-S in 1990, and CZ? iv 1' t- in a closely-related speech, Lars Lofas Star Trekked his way into the future. Danny Szor, first place winner, urged people to speak out, even if it meant going against popular opinions. Second place win- ner Michael Hedges, who told the audience to please stop teasing the unfortunates. jeremy Ben- Ami placed third with a talk about an imaginary election day which found America in chaos. The following Friday all the finalists competed, and Szor won, with Gellert runner-up. 9

Page 92 text:

FALL STUDENT COUNCIL - back row: Henry, B. ludson, Mr. Pariseau, Marchant, Selton, middle row: T. DeVido, H. Wydler, A. Seplow, A. Papazoglou, front row: Greef, P. Livingston, Ben-Ami President, Hilliard, Gellert. STUDENT COUNCIL R. PARlSEAU'S pride and joy, the Student Council, was ably headed by leremy Ben-Ami for both semesters, and became ever more involved in school affairs than before. Of course the Council helped run the annual Carnival, the Opera Lottery, the 8th 81 9th Grade dance, the UNICEFF collec- tions, and the continuing purchase of kitchen equipment. This year the dance was the main attraction, as such an event had theretofore been prohibited by the school administration. Friday, May 13th, was the date of this extravaganza, featuring Roger Sommers' Mace band. The affair netted about S250 and reportedly nobody was caught trying to sneak off upstairs for nefarious activity. SPRING STUDENT COUNCIL - back row: Metcalf, B. ludson, Mr. Pariseau, Marchant, Hagen, middle row: Couloucoundis, A. Seplow, A. Papazoglou, Roger Raines, front row: Lester, P. Livingston, Ben-Ami President, Hilliard, Kaminski. 88 -A 5 From this's year's Carnival the Council netted 51300, and as we go to press it is yet undecided how to allocate these funds. Some of the ideas so far have been to buy a new curtain for the stage, individual movie screens for each classroom, new accordion partitions for the Sth, 7th and 8th grade classrooms, or buying a new card catalogue for Mrs. Rittenberg in the library. Four A-S Carnival booths participated in the May 24th block party, and good cheer was spread over 78th St. as Matthew Peyton skateboarded by. Over fifty boys went to the Metropolitan Opera lagain courtesy of Mrs. leanconl, while the UNICEFF drive raised 5380. Great credit to Messrs. Pariseau 84 Ben- Ami ... now, shall we have a debate, anybody?

Page 94 text:

PRIZE DAYS 90 F OR eight eighth graders and eighteen ninth graders june 9th Prize Day signified the end of the line at Allen-Stevenson. The previous day, while Upper Schoolers frolicked at RandalI's lsland Field Day, Lower School lgrades 1-4j had their com- mencement, accompanied by two plays, many songs, and prizes, ribbons, etc., for many recipients. Upper School Prize Day ceremonies began with Dr. Kring tAll Souls' Unitarian Churchj invocation. He was followed by jeremy Ben-Ami's valedictory. For the first time, the valedictorian was not the speech contest winner, but one chosen by the fac- ulty from a list of student-nominated candidates. ln a well-prepared talk which skillfully avoided men- lioning a single name, Ben-Ami dealt with the usual we-have-much-to-be-thankful-for material. Then Mr. Suter, really the master of ceremonies for Prize Day, began the long list of awards, some- what shortened this year due to an earlier ceremony at an assembly which dispensed many lesser awards. Mr. Suter began with the Shop Award, presented to 6th grader josh Holland this year, while the Art Award went to Mark Browning. Next, the Drama Club award went to Barrett Lester, the Francis Keally Drama Award, one of the school's most venerable, was omitted in error from the program. Ut went to Danny Szorj Editor of the A-S News Bradley Kulman, along with Clifton York, copped the publications awards, small recompense for thousands of hours of slaving over the News and Unicorn. Outstanding citizens in 5th and 6th grades are presented with medals from the Sons of the Revolu- tion, this year these pins went to Hans Wydler and jeffrey Oesterricher. The Daughters of the Revolu- tion medal fsame thing, but for 7th gradersj, went to Alex Gellert. Then came the richest award, the Mayflower Compact, given to the best 7th grade history student - along with a S100 savings bond! jesse Cohen was the worthy recipient. the ran an A-plus average all year longlj In gratitude for eons of time in the lab, the Science Award went to Nick Armington, while Ben- Ami copped the Glenn Gamble Memorial Latin Award. For independence of spirit the Charles Horman Memorial Award was presented to Michael Hedges. Next followed the coveted Athletic Cup, given to the best all-round athlete. This was awarded to David Hilliard, who amassed no less than thirteen varsity letters and three captaincies in following his distinguished older brother Landon. Then followed the presentation of the Alumni Medal, perhaps the most prized of all the awards. Ben-Ami won this one, too, for outstanding service to the school. Next came the award of honor rolls, with nearly half the fifth graders being so rewarded, while the list dwindled considerably as one went higher in the grades. Mr. Cole took the opportunity of speaking at length before handing out the diplomas to the graduates, reminding the ninth graders how awful they had been as seventh graders and how they had supposedly progressed in the last three years. He was followed by President of the Board Mr. White, who cracked a joke at Mr. Cole's expense, sat down, and called for the singing of America With that, Prize Day expired for 1977.