Germantown Academy - Ye Primer Yearbook (Fort Washington, PA)

Page 54 text:

The officers and committees were as fol- lows 1 First Term. President ............ James B. Franks, jr. Secretary ....... , . . . Timekeeper ...... ..... E dward J. Doyle , Sergeant-at-Arms ..... .Herbert B. Knox, jr. Second Term. President ................... L. P. Connaroe Vice-President .... ..... I ames I. Pletcher Committees. Debating Committee- First Term-VVells, Jellett, Spiegel. Vice-President .... ..... R oland T. Jellett H. VVillard Sterrett Second Term-Evans, Allen, Wells. Nominating Committee- Both Terms-Breed, Gillespie, Nichol. Court of Appeals- Secretary ..... ......... E dgar Cope, Ir. SOT1. Timekeeper ......... Herbert B. Knox, Ir. Sergeant-at-Arms ........... Clark B. Nichol new gqct.A2i1 60 Both Terms-Knox, Gillespie, Nichol, M

Page 53 text:

PHIL OMA THEAN SOCIETY During the year of 1911 Philo. has been a great success. This debating society is one of the most important factors of the old school, as it en- ables the fellows to become good speakers and debaters. V VVe had a good set of officers during the first term, and as a result the society was Well conducted, affording good speeches and hotly contested debates. At the beginning of the second term the ntembers of the second form were admitted and made their initiation speeches, some of which were -very funny but well spoken, con- sidering that it was their first attempt. The debates, which were held every Tues- day from 1.3o until 2.oo, are not only a source of pleasure to the fellows, but a great benefit to them in after years. It is the sincere wish ofthe class that this society be carried on with great success during the remaining years of its existence at the old school.

Page 55 text:

PRIZE DEBATE' The annual prize debate was held on April 25. Owing to some difficulty in procuring judges, and also on deciding on the subject, it was held later than usual. The subject chosen is a well known topic of the day with which nearly every one is, to a certain extent, familiarg namely, Reciprocity with Canada. The subject is a very good one, as there is a great held to work in for both the negative and affirmative. As the class of '85 instituted the prize de- bate, it has always been customary to select judges from the graduates of that class. But two of that class were available, Messrs. Elliott and Schwartz, so Mr. Deacon acted as the third judge. It was announced to the contest- ants before the debate that the judges would ,award the prize for the best extemporaneous speech, the value of the arguments being of minor importance, as the idea of the debate is to find who in the class has the best command of the English language. The first prize was given to H. Wfillard Sterrett. Sterrett had an excellent debate and delivered it in a very clear and convincing manner. Unlike former years, the debators were very evenly matched, three men, Allen, Spiegel and Franks being tied for second hon- ors. Evans and XVells also had very credit- able debates. The order of debate was as follows: Allen, Franks and Evans for the afhrrnative, and Spiegel, XVells and Sterrett for the negative. Wfe hope that the debates in years to come will be as successful as the debate of 1911.