Boys High School - Epitome Yearbook (Reading, PA)

Page 78 text:

76 THE EPITOME Qperetita One Of,OL1f...IIlOSt successful operatic productions was featured in the audi- torium on the night of April 23d. The hall was thronged with enthusiastic spectators, who enjoyed the play to the fullest extent, as displayed by the over- whelming bursts of applause that swept the assembly. The principals taking part in the production rendered their selections in the best possible fashion, with plenty of volume, clearness and purity of tone. Their whole-hearted participation in a class of production strange to many of their ex- periences, discloses the fact of strenuous effort applied. Mitch Arters, as Cleopatra, was quite a sensation because of his Happer superfluities and soprano voice. Williana Burkhart, who had volunteered to take the double character of the ghost and as William, was, unfortunately detained by illness, and, as a result, was replaced by Arthur Bechtel, who, having but two days in which to practice for his roles, displayed remarkable enthusiasm. Assisting in the important parts, H. Ziegler, as Anthony, with his two mates, Pompey and Caesar, respectively Gendall and G. Freehafer, proved their innate ability in the art of love making. To bring out more vividly the lively action of the play, a sympathetic chorus of accomplished artists intervened between solos with its sonorous ditties and rhythmic steps. Because of the splendid manner in which the operetta was enacted, the players unanimously favored the presentation of the play in the Southern Junior High, which would enable the players to exhibit their powers to a greater extent. The repetition was received with equal enthusiasm on the night of Saturday, May 22.

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THE EPITOME 75 Qrelhesitra Our school Orchestra can certainly be proud Of its record during this past Semester. A very successfully rendered program given at the Southern Junior High School, a week's engagement at the State Theatre, a participation in the Music VVeek program at the Rajah Theatre, and the Commencement programs are the big things which we have accomplislhed through a great deal Of hard work. This statement that we have worked hard is proven by the fact that 41 Orchestra men have played Our musical numbers with a decided improvement in the way Of precision. This is to be expected from professional Orchestras, but for Orclhestras Of the High School class this is not common. Thus, in Obtaining this precision, we feel that we have something really accomplished and that we have established for the Orchestra an enviable reputation. Tlhrough graduation the orchestra will lose five of its best members, thereby opening a gap that will have to be filled by the lower classmen. A growing in- terest On the part of the student body will fill these gaps and render the orchestra even better, so that the prospects Of a better orchestra are becoming brighter as time advances. Finally, the graduating members Of 1926 June bid the best musical Organiza- tion of the school a final farewell and their 'hearty wishes for a better orchestra and band in the future. Let'S take a final roll call for the year. PONVELL MIDDLETON, Conductor E. GEIER FREEHAFER, Reporter CHARLES EGGERT, Librarian VVILFORD REIST, Concert Meister First Violins- Second Violins- Clarinet- ALBERT READINGER VVILMER MAURER CHARLES EGGERT NORMAN HANGEN HAROLD CTRUBER DONALD FRANCISCUS MITCHELL ARTERS CARL SEIDEL CARL KLINE PHILIP VVITMAN IXRTHUR BECHTEL LUTHER RINGLER LEONARD DEGLER MEREDITH THOMPSON IARTHUR GULDIN HARLAN ALTHOUSE H. BURKHART LLEWELLYN NVILLIAMS C Saxophone- JOITN LEVAN Triiinpet- STEVVART VVITMAN PAUL SHENK HENRY FLICKINGER Flute-- SEAL CHAMBERS PRESTON BEIL Piano- LIiROY E. SNYDER TIIEODORE TEMPLETON LUKE HEATH THOMAS CURRY Bassd SCHUBERT KELLER E. GEIER FREEHAFER E Safafhone- FRED COX , . RUSSELL HUYETT HARRY FLAT T1'QP'm R ROBERT MCKINNEY Tmmbouep- OBERT EIDER CLARENCE REICHWEIN EUGENE ESHELMAN Tyaps... JOHN D. CORBIT HENRY IRWIN W'ILLIAM TSENBERG

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THE EPITOME 77 The Debating Team '1'he Debating Team of Reading High has just completed an unusually successful season, obtaining frequent victories throughout the year, Under the splendid tutelage of Coach Eugene ll. VVhitman, the team achieved fame and reputation which adds to the prestige of Reading High. The Debating Team is composed of boys not only excelling in oratorical ability, but also in scholastic linesg therefore it is a body to be extremely en- couraged. Handicapped at the opening of the season by inexperienced candidates, Mr. VVhitman has now developed a team worthy of meeting any high school. Attaining six victories out of ten debates is not a record to be scorned, especially when taking into con- sideration the novelty of debating in Reading High, the youthfulness of the debaters and the strength of more sagacious opponents. Debating in Reading High is but in its crea- tion and for numerous reasons should be given more attention, since it is a scholastic background in itself for future professional careers. Not only were the activities of the debaters confined to debating, but also to oratory, wherein Seymour Ziff, a skilled debater, won the right to represent Reading High in the National Oratorical Contest, a nation-wide rivalry. Although he was eliminated at the district contest, the doubtful decision was received not only unsatisfactorily by Reading High, but also by the audience, who greatly appreciated his ability. The outstanding performances of the Debating Team were the winning of the Ursinus League Pennant, which league is organized for dual debating teams in Eastern Pennsyl- vania. Reading High had as associate contestants Norristown High, Allentown High and Easton High, which is a worthy aggregation to beat. Another predominant feature of the season was the decisive beating Reading High handed to Hazleton High in the triangular meet. This was the first time in the history of Reading High debating that our team triumphed over Hazleton, which has a debating club bearing the envious reputation of being not only impregnable, but invincible. Those boys who represented our school in debating circles are: Sydney Abels, Wilson Austin, Arthur Bechtel, Howard Frantz, Geier Freehafer, Russell Huyett, Judson Kenny, James Rick, 3rd, and Seymour Ziff. Record for the Year 1926 i Jan. 6, 1926-'Reading High 3g Easton High, 0. Reading High, Og Easton High, 3. Feb. 17-Reading High, 15 Lancaster High, 2. Reading High, 33 Lancaster High, 0. March 26-Reading High, 2g Norristown High, 1. Reading High, 53 Norristown High, 4. April 16-Reading High, 25 Allentown High, 1. Reading High, 35 Allentown High, 6. May 12-Reading High, 15 Harrisburg High, 2. Reading High, 25 Hazleton High, 1.