Alma College - Scotsman Yearbook (Alma, MI)

Page 72 text:

.E1.H. Back Row: left to right: Shirley Wenger, Dorothy Walton, Virginia Feighner, Betty Pecsenye, and Catherine Wilkie. Middle Row: Shirley Wilson, Lenore Meyer, Donna Jean Francis, and Beverly Smith. Bottom Row: LaVon Keenan, Geraldine Wadley, Frieda Volpel, Helen Lindsay, and Marian Spalsbury. During the past year, Dorothy Walton has served as president of the W.A.A. Much of the success of the organization this year was due to the cooperation of the W.A.A. Council and Executive Board. Mary Anne Bowen and Beulah Brace were vice-presi- dents and Frieda Volpel acted as secretary-treasurer. In charge of the various com- mittees were Helen Lindsay, publicity, Shirley Wenger, individual sports, Lenore Meyer, maior sports, Donna Jean Francis, awards, and Mary Anne Bowen and Beulah Brace, co-chairmen of social affairs. 80

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The speech season started off this year with the extemporary speaking contest. Out of 17 contestants, Mary Catherine Bell and Ken Plaxton were chosen champions in the women's and men's divisions. A month later, Alma was host to the Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League's Extemporary Speaking Contest. ln this contest, Ken Plaxton placed second. Prior to the opening of the debate season, a discussion tournament was held at Michigan State College upon the debate topic, Resolved, that the .Federal Govern- ment Should Regulate by Law all the Labor Unions in the United States. The Alma debate teams made up a strong squad this year, with no one outstanding team, but rather a whole squad of good debaters. After an average start at the debate tournament in Bloomington, Illinois, the teams gathered momentum at the Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League's State Contests and climaxed the season with a high percentage of victories at the Manchester tournament. The different debate teams and student speakers representing the college travelled over 2400 miles during the season. This included demonstration debates before various club and organizations. In Alma's oratory contest, Bruce Lindley, student debate manager, and Emma Richter were iudged the winners. In the state contest, Bruce Lindley placed third in the men's division. Alma will lose many of its valuable speakers and debaters this year, some by gradu- ation, others to the war. One of the hardest men to lose, however, will be Bruce Mellinger. In past years he has been named winner of both the oratorical and extemp contests, but his finest record has been made in debate. In each of the four years in which he has debated for Alma, he has competed in the A division of the Huntington-Manchester debate tournament, meeting some of the best debate compe- tition of the country, and has compiled the amazing record of 20 victories out of 24 debates. To merely speak of Alma's speech record would l be incomplete without mention of Alma's coach, l Professor Carney Smith, leader of the speech activ- l ities. lt is through his work and interest and under g l his guidance that such a record has been made l possible. BRUCE MELLINGER 79

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The aims of the Women's Athletic Association of Alma College are seven in number: i. to deveolp an intramural program which will be broad enough to meet the interests of all college women, 2. to develop standards of leadership and sportsmanship for college women, 3. to promote those activities which may be adapted to the leisure time of after school life, tennis, golf, hiking, bowling, archery, skiing, skating, etc., 4. to encourage the adoption of health concepts by all the college women with the hope of actual improvement in habits of living, 5. to require medical examinations without exception for the participation in sports, 6. to provide opportunities for the development of student leadership, and 7. to provide opportunity for boys and girls to enjoy sports and games together. Each year the W.A.A. sponsors two main social activities for the women of the college, the Christmas Chocolate and the spring banquet. The after- noon chocolate was held at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Dunning on December Tl. The W.A.A. Banquet was held on April 23 in the Wright Hall dining room. lt was the first formal dinner given by the association. Freshmen awards were presented to Beverly Smith, Shirley Wilson, and Gerry Wadleyp while letters were presented to Virginia Feighner, Shirley Wengeer, Lenore Meyer, and Betty Pecsenye, and the Senior award to Frieda Volpel. Those receiving honorable mention were Mary Jean Coley, Mary Ann Bowen, Beulah Brace, Catherine Wilkie, Helen Lindsay, Marjorie Kuehn, and Donna Jean Francis. These awards were given to the girls who have merited them through outstanding work in sports and W.A.A. 81