Central High School - Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 15 text:

1 l On the front row of the lnterclub Council picture above are Eugene Alevander, Martin Binder, President Ellis Feldman, Sidney Halpern and lienry Horniclc. On the back row are Donald Page, Dr. Frederick Child, Hilary Putnam and Richard Ash CLUBS PERFORMING the important function of binding together the extra-curricular activities of the school, the Interclub Council has proved itself an efficiently func- tioning and necessary body. Directing the efforts of the various clubs under President Ellis Feldman and Vice-President Sidney Hal- pern, the lnterclub Council has devoted the efforts of the clubs toward aiding in the present war. Composed of representatives ofthe various clubs, it supervises the presenting of non- athletic awards and of club charters. The lnterclub Council sponsors assemblies and gives publicity to the various clubs. During the past school term the lnterclub Council was composed of ninety per cent of the 182nd Class. Under the guidance of the Interclub Coun- cil are the following clubs: The Camera Cfub devotes itself to the training of those boys who desire to develop skill in the art of photography. The club has a modern, fully equipped darkroom where the members learn to develop, print and en- large their pictures. They also have discus- sions pertaining to the theoretical and prac- tical side of photography, plus taking news pictures for the Ceniralizer and Jlirror. Frequent trips are made to various institu- tions where members gather information concerning various photographic processes. The Camera Club offers a firm foundation for those who intend to take up photography as a career. The Cfzefmirlr-if Club presents students with an opportunity to learn about some of the industrial processes and techniques. The members make excursions to industrial plants where they actually see some of these indus- trial processes taking place. Lectures are given by members and guests. The Chemistry Club imparts to students, who are interested in the field and who intend to make a career of chemistry, an idea of what the science deals with. Sponsored by Professor William I. Ma- whinney, the German Club stresses the great German literary monuments of the past. Lec- tures on such great men as Lessing, Schiller and Goethe are given by the students and sponsor. Memlmers of the club use simple everyday German and are constantly striv- ing to increase their German vocabulary.

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The observatory in the old Central was the fifth permanent observatory in the country and was one of the best equipped. Despite the fact that the present building is not equipped with an observatory, the f1.ftron.omy Club is one of the most popular. The club has a program which lists such events as talks by guests, members and the sponsor, as well as trips to places of astronomical interest. It was formerly thought that astronomy was merely an academic subject, but the present war has emphasized our dependence upon it for accurate measurement of time and dis- tance. The Clze.r.r Club develops the reasoning and intellectual powers of its members. The members play competitive games among themselves. The best of these players become members of the Chess team, which engages in interscholastic meets. Chess gives mental training which is invaluable in later business or professional activities. The Current Events' Club stimulates in- terest in present-day affairs. It provides a background for diplomatic and consular serv- ice, or ournalism. There are talks by student members on economic and political condi- tions at home and abroad. There are also discussions on local, national and world politics. Map makers are not the only ones who are tearing at their hair in frustration, cutting out paper dolls, and looking forward to spend- ing the balance of their lives in state asylums. Never before in its history has the club had more material with which to work. The members are learning valuable lessons in the art of intelligent reading. They are learning to formulate and express personal opinions. Surely the freedom necessary to this kind of club, the right to meet, and to discuss and criticize the government and its officials, will never be taken from us as long as we learn to appreciate it while young. The Ernect Lacy Literary Society develops facility in literary production and criticism. It cultivates the art of expression. Activities of the society include short-story writing, talks by the sponsor on literary style and talks on writing by outside speakers. The French Club aids students in their regular French course and improves their dialogue and conversation. There is weekly preparation and discussion of points of gram- mar, plus study of the customs of the French people. For post-war travel abroad, or lan- guage as a profession, this is a fine club. The Science and Philoxoplzy Club presents a new outlook on science and philosophy, and gives an all-around understanding of sci- ence. Discussions on phenomena of matter, electricity, radiation and the theory of rela- tivity provide ample training and experience for all interested. When the Radio Club was conceived, many persons expressed doubt as to its usefulness. However, Central High's, future Marconis took up the quest wholeheartedly, provin'g their critics' fears to be unfounded. Interest in radio has revived considerably because of the classes devoted to this subject, this has added greatly to the club's membership. The boys devote most of their time to the theory of radio and electronics. Their sponsor, Harry Levene, feels sure that several of these boys will develop their talents into well- paying jobs in radio. The Debate Society, under the direction of Sponsor Frederick Child and President Sid- ney Halpern, speaks either pro or con on topics of current interest. Matches are sched- uled with other schools having debate teams. The club affords good practice for future lawyers and politicians 5 it teaches a person to arrange facts in an orderly fashion and to present them clearly g it teaches boys to see both sides of a question. The Art Club is designed for those students whose artistic ambitions are curtailed by the regular course in art. The aim of the Art Club, under the sponsorship of Mr. Gill, is to foster an interest in all branches of artistic endeavor, instead of merely trying to spe- cialize in a vocational sense. No compulsory assignments are made. Members work in that Held in which they are most interested. This helps to broaden the student's interests as well as to help him find out for which branch he is best suited. Many of the mem- bers have exhibited their works at exhibitions of high school art.

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DRAMATTRC SOCIETY Officers of the Stunlent Council pictured below are: Bernard Sacks, presidcntg Louis Seltzer, trczisurerg and Iohn Shiffert, sec eiziry. Not shown in the picture is Irwin Potzish, vice prcsinlcnt The above picture was taken during the Drai- mutic Societfs presentation of Ruum mSll'l'A'1'A'c'. Sla11d1'l1.i1,fron1 lefl: llenry Levinson, Thomas Sclmali, Norman Starr, Fred Sclirier, leromf Szimuelsohn, Nlziriin Lenow, Nlzirtin Binclcr, Sidney Decovn-v zxncl Leon Auron. Sf'f1lf'rf.' Helen Nlarcolina, Henry Rolmlvins and Ioy Dienes STUDENT CCOUNCCTT