Atwood Hammond High School - Post Yearbook (Atwood, IL)

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 Philomathean Literary Society. Front Row (from left to right)—Flo Shonkwiler, Minnie Scheffer, Blanche Rodgers, Maud Weatherholt, Annie Laurie Suffern, Mabel Smothers, Roma Call. Back Row—Gertrude Long, Herschel Baker, William Offenstein. Joe Wyeth, Floyd Wildman t Joe Moore, John Biggs.

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Alpha Literary Society. Front Row'from left to right)-Helen Davis, Ruth Eldredge, Gladys Quick, Ada Doty, Maurine Stevenson, Anna Dorjahn, Grace Dodson. Back Row Mary Colyer, Paul Fisher, Earl Hines, Joe Cogdal, Beryl Quick, Merton Suffern, Kenneth Wilson, Elsa Heerdt.

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THE LITERARY SOCIETIES Shortly after the school term opened, the High School decided to follow the plan of the preceding years, and have two literary societies. The students were divided as evenly as possible by the faculty, and took the names of Alpha and Philomath-ean. The officers were chosen at the first meeting, and programs were started at once. The purposes of the societies were many, but the thing they were chiefly striving for was to cultivate the talents in the students and to enable them to speak in public without unnecessary embarrassment. This plan was carried out very successfully during the year, each student appearing on the program several times. Each was given a chance to appear in many different ways such as readings, essays, vocal, and instrumental solos, extemporaneous speeches, debates and orations. This wide range of subjects made it convenient for all, as well as making the program more interesting. Another feature which made the programs of special educational benefit was devoting the entire program to some writer s works. This created more interest in the study of literature. In the preceding years at each program a critic was appointed for the day, from among the faculty. This year, Supt. Nie-dermeyer recognizing the value of the students’ criticisms, suggested that the critic be appointed from among the student body. This plan was followed out, and proved very successful, as well as taking a burden off the minds of the teachers. The closer relation between the upper and lower classmen was also sought for. Members of all classes were frequently required to be on the same program. Seeing those venerable seniors get up and stammer about, often gave the freshmen more courage to appear. On the whole the societies can be considered a great success and well worthy of the time put upon them. As much benefit was obtained from them as from any high school study. A great part of this success can be traced directly to the Faculty. They seemed to have an inexhaustible fund of new ideas for the programs. Kenneth Wilson ’14. THE PRELIMINARY. In the district preliminary oratorical contest held at Bement, the Atwood representatives won from Bement every event in which they entered. Bement took the piano solo as there was no contestant from Atwood in that event. To say that Bement had not expected such a sweeping victory, would put it mildly, for their demonstrative gyrations earlier in the evening plainly be-spake a confidence in their contestants who were supposed to take everything and leave Atwoad nothing. Then imagine their feelings when the disappointment meant for Atwood, came upon themselves. Mary Colyer who represented us in declamation with ’The Talking Woman by More Isabelle Fiske, won her event by a unanimous decision of the judges. Helen Davis with her essay on The Passing of the Indian” won with a two to one decision. The decision on Paul Fisher’s oration Expert service” was unanimous. All of Be-ments’ contestants in literary events were girls who are deserving of much credit for the excellent rendition of their parts. A small company of Atwood rooters went to Bement in automobiles and their joy knew no bounds when the decision was announced. Their enthusiasm lasted until they reached home where they awakened the sleeping village with vociferous yells announcing the news of the victory.