Central High School - Centralian Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

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EDITORIAL. Neal and Miss Julia St. Clair, two of our own pupils, reflected honor upon themselves and their school by winning the first and third prizes respectively. But not only have the good things been done by individuals, but the literary societies have also done some excellent work. On December 21, 1900, the fifteenth annual Christmas Play was given by members of the Philomathean and Platonian societies, the Central Literary Club, and the Society of Literature and History, and every one agreed that it was by far the best Christmas Play ever given on Assembly Hall stage. Such a play, given as that one was, could only have been done by hard rehearsals, and the people who composed the cast deserve great credit for their fine work. The hall programs of the different societies also deserve mention. The Philos gave theirs first and it was most assuredly a success. It was an original play and was given by young ladies, who would easily make their mark upon the professional stage if they should so choose. The Platos came next with an original farce comedy, and, judging from the extravagantly complimentary things said about them, they made a great hit. The audience was kept laughing all the time at the ridiculous situations of the old uncle, Ephraim Hasem, and Wood B. Broke, alias Miss Julia Summerfield. The contents of “Plato: His Book” spoke well for the literary ability of the society. The S. L. H. were next in line with a play called “City Ways”, which, though not original, was nevertheless well acted by members of that society. The parodies which they sang were some of the best ever sung on our stage. We never tired of listening to the droll talk of Mr. Pendergrass and Mrs. Granson, and our only regret was that the entertainment was not longer. As we go to press, the C. L. C. have not given their hall program, but if it is to be a typical C. L. C. program, we know that it will be a good one. Such is the kind of work done in Central in a year, and it is the patriotic spirit that prompts this work, which makes the reputation of the Central High School known all over the United States. Every pupil that goes to our school ought always to be ready to stand up for his school, and always to be ready to give three lusty cheers for the Royal Blue and White. —16—

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tia( ) tr. Well, school is about over! Some of us are glad and others are,—well hardly sorry, but, to the Seniors who will never come back to “Old Central” again, there clings a loving, tender feeling for the old school that has been their home for four long years. We are sorry to leave the place where we have had so many good times together, and yet glad to receive a diploma of which any one might well be proud. And, indeed, the whole school may well be proud of the school year just past, for never in the history of Central has there been a more successful one. Early in December word was passed around that Central would again compete in the annual oratorical contest held at Chicago. Mr. Joseph Ellis was selected as our contestant and he succeeded in carrying off the first prize from a contest in which there were thirty-five schools represented. A little later the Sons of the Revolution offered a prize for the three best essays on some patriotic subject. Miss Maude H -15-

Page 17 text:

EDITORIAL. surely looks at the present time as if the societies would never regain their former privilege of giving open sessions. About the middle of the year some members of the Platonian Society decided to go before the Board of Education and request that body to again grant the former privilege. Before doing so, however, they went to the president of the Board, Mr. Joseph L. Norman, and asked his advice upon the matter. He advised them to speak to Mr. White and to try to gain his consent to the petition which they had drawn up. This was done, but Mr. White refused absolutely to recommend the Open Sessions. lie said that they caused too much excit-ment and disturbance in the school, and that, therefore, they took away the attention of the pupils from their lessons. At this juncture all of the societies endorsed the petition of the Platonians and the affair began to take larger form. A joint meeting was held and Mr. White was asked to be present and to state his reasons for opposing the Open Sessions. He told the societies that the Open Sessions, added to the hall programs of the different societies, would make entirely too much disturbance and excitement. To off-set this, the societies offered to sacrifice the hall programs for the Open Sessions. Mr. White still refused. He also made some objections to the way in which rehearsals were carried on; he said that there was too much ‘ ‘fooling around”done and too little work, and then also there were things in the programs themselves of which he did not approve. To meet this, the societies were willing to put the rehearsals, programs, and even the finances under the supervision of the faculty. In short, the whole thing was to be under the direct control of Mr. White; the societies would simply rehearse their entertainment, have it passed upon by the teachers, and give it at the appointed time. Mr. White could see that every bill was properiy taken care of and turn what was left of the money over to the societies. Still Mr. White said no. The societies thought that they had conceded all they could; they bad even given the Christmas Play without getting a cent from it; all the money was turned over to Mr. White. There was no use, however, in carrying the matter to the Board, so it was dropped. If the Open Sessions were again restored, we believe that they could be given with great benefit to the school. The very enthusiasm which they create —17—