Harmony High School - Cardinal Yearbook (Harmony, MN)

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ahr (£mttrsts One require nent of our high school course is thatth 3 .students, before graduating, take four years of literary work. This includes the study of at least fifteen good English classics, three years of rhetoric and composition, and one year of the History of American and English Literature. At least one story or essay is required each week from the rhetoric students, and in the lit-er ture class special reports are prepared on the different writers and their productions,while some of the best works of the writers have been committed. This English work is interesting indeed. Besides the regular class work,a half hour or an hour is spent each week giving reports of current events in important National and Foreign affairs. Visitors come frequently to these meetings and seem pleased with the work. For three years we have had an active literary society. Meetings were held every two weeks, some of them public ones. The programs would include music, both instrumental and vocal, readings, declamations, and a debate. In lftOJ a declamatory contest was held. Three honors were given, for which eight girls and two hoys contested. The selections were well rendered and every one seemed much pleased at the ability and skill shown. We had a strong debating team in 11HM, and on February 12 of that year a debate was held hero between the Preston High School team and our own. Preston sent their three best representatives to uphold the negative side of the questiou—Resolved: That cities and towns should own their public utilities. Allen Stork, Julius Wolsted, and Teddy Ryan were Harmony's representatives. They did well but were defeated. This year an opportunity was afforded the students to have a second contest. It was to he a contest in debate, reading, declamation. and oratory. The whole High School became interested. It was decided not to give personal honors, but instead to give the honor to the one of the two societies in the high school which had the better representatives. This added interest, and at once the societies, the “Delphian” and the “Olympian,” brought out their competing teams. Each society had live representatives: a speaker, a reader, an orator, and two debaters The date set for the coolest was the twenty second of February. During the week previous to the twenty second, one might have heard strange sounds in the recitation room, where the rehearsals were held. A committee was chosen from each society to decorate the hall in the colors of the two societies, and when their work was finished the effect was quite pleasing. The evening of the contest was a fine one and a large crowd assembled. Every seat was taken, in fact, standing room Lould hardly be had. At eight the curtain rose and the bright faces of the High School Chorus greeted the audience as they sang • I know a Bank whereon the Wild Thyme grows.” Then the contest proper began. Paulenc Stenvick (Olympian ; opened the program with the debate, on behalf of the affirmative, on the question Resolved “That United States Senators should Is? elected by popular vote.” Amyc Brokken ( Delphian ) answered for the negative. Allen Stork was the second speaker for the affirmative, Julius Wolsted second for the negative. Then followed the rebuttals. Second on the program were the readings. I ;la Patterson (Olympian ) with her “Marguerite” and Hu bye Dunn I Delphian with her

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 Lm The school gave two cantatas this year. In connection with the Art Kxhibit the grades prepared a short cantata, entitled, “The Revolt of the Toys.” In this several toys, represented by hoys and girls revolted, and, melodiously, preferred charges against a naughty Alfred to good old Santa Claus. Santa invoked the aid of Faith, Hope, and Charity. These gentle maidens sang in behalf of the naughty boy and all ended well. It was a bright little gem of song and word, highly appreciated by all. On the evening of December nineteenth, the high school students gave the most pretentious musical affair that they had ever attempted. It was a cantata, entitled, “The Pioneers.” In this the scene is laid in the Canadian Northwest. The characters comprised settlers, soldiers, aud Indians, such as were common there during pioneer days. The parts were rendered with commendable skill and the singing was good. A fine evening brought out a large audience that seemed pleased with the efforts of the school. The opening solo invited the settlers and Indians to participate in friendly contests. Soon a song of warning breaks up the gathering and war clouds begin to lower. The Indians, singing their “Canoe Song,” hasten to meet other tribes, while the whites flee to the fort for protection. Here Clapperton, the valiant blacksmith, boasts of his prowess. The Aurora is seen and is regarded as a good omen. The chorus, “The Northern Lights,” proved one of the best. The Indians advance and make determined attacks upon the fort but are repulsed. Thunder resounds in the distance. This is regarded by the Indians as an evil omen. They desist from the tatas attack and agree to listen to peace proposals. A rainbow appears. This was one of the most effective parts of the cantata, the beautiful chorus, “The Rainbow,” being sung by a chorus of thirty voices. Peace comes and with it joy to all. The pioneer children execute a pretty drill which is followed by a grand finale chorus, “Hail to the Pioneer.” The cantata comprised over thirty musical selections. There were several solos and a large numl»er of choruses. The music of the cantata was in charge of Miss Mildred A. Spencer, whose painstaking effort was highly appreciated. The costumes and the manner iu which the parts were given showed careful preparation. CAST or CIIAKACTKKS Captain Drummond In charge of fori Ole Wolsted. Meld rum The Storekeeper Teddy I Ivan. Manitowaning Indian Scout Floyd Newell. Thessalon Indian Chief Xorval Helle. Magnatawan Indian Brave Clinton Harrison. Kagawong Indian Brave Hubert Bussell. Moskoka Indian Brave Allen Stork. Clapperton Blacksmith .Julius Wolsted. Bigsby Farmer Eugene Hunt. Algoma Drummond Captain's Daughter Flhel Daniels. Grace Meldrum Storekeeper's Wife Eda Kasen. Shawanaga Friendly Indian Maiden Nettie Larsen. Sheguinda Wife of Thessalon Vida Bussell. Marie Parry Settler’s Daughter Zell a Case Wikwemikong Daughter of Thessalon Lillie Winnega. Soldiers. Settlers and Indians.

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tlhr (Cmiti'sts “Soul of the Violin,” held the clos attention of the audience. Their pieces were pleasing and effective. Next the people were entertained by the High School Male Quartette. They sang “Masaa’a in de Cold. Cold, Ground.” and responded to an encore. Then Teddy Ryan (Olympian) gave his oration, “The Union Soldier”; Hubert Russell (Delphian) followed with “The Unknown Speaker.”They made the old hall ring and received much applause. The last number was the declamations. Vida Russell (Olympian ) gave “The Lance of Kanana” and Eda Kasen ( Delphian ) “The Ohari »t Race. ’ They held their own with other contestants, and their selections were fully appreciated. After the applause had abated. Mr. Seivig announced the decision of the judges. They had decided in favor of the Del-phians, but all were satisfied. To close the program a short One Act Comedy was give 1 The cast consisted of eight characters chosen from amoug the students.The comedy was entitled “A Good Dinner” and was very laughable. A county declamatory contest had been plat tied to be giveu at Preston February 24. Each of thesix Fill more County High Schools was to send two representative . Harmony sent to this contest Eda Kasen and Rubye Dunn. Wli.-n the time came for the the girls to give their parts, they rendered them well, indeed. Eda took the people with her in “The Chariot Race” and made the picture stand out vividly to her hearers. Rubye was given by her audience that quiet and intense attention which bespeaks successful effort. When the decision of the judges was given, Harmony was not one of the prize win- ners. Of course we should have liked it better if we could have brought home one of the two prizes, but the team did well, and the school is proud of the showing it made. Hubert Russell Eela Patterson Eda Kio-en Teddy Rvai. Rubye Dunn Vida Russel .Julius Wolsted Amve Hrokken Pauleua Stenvick Allen Si oik