Hopewell High School - Kaleidoscope Yearbook (Hopewell, VA)

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Edgar Allan Poe Literary Society HE second year of the existence of the Edgar Allan Poe Literary Society has ended with as much success as did the eventful first year. The Society was organized in the fall of 1928 with the aim and ideal of affording the students who wished to join it, a society wholly devoted to the interest of literary subjects that could not be obtained from the classroom, and to be, in this respect, a real credit to Hopewell High School, and at all times this has been the aim of the Society. As an extra curricular activity, the Society has endeavored to uphold a high standard for its members. Fore¬ most is the standard for scholastic attainment in that each member must maintain a rating of C in classwork. Since the re¬ peated failure to maintain this rating calls for the expulsion from the Society, it encourges the members to strive for better grades. Another ideal has been that of cooperation, because through cooperation good citizenship is attained not only in the school life but also in the world after school. One of the first achievements of the year was the presenta¬ tion of an Armistice Day program in the auditorium. This pro¬ gram given at the request of Mr. Mallonee, featured a debate, and short talks on topics appropriate for the day. Not secondary were the programs in the group for they were devoted to a deeper study of literature. The Program Committee strived to give programs that would not only be interesting and entertaining, but would also be useful to every member. The program devoted to the study of drama reviewed the drama of the past arid present, whereas another gave a delightful study of famous characters in literature. In the midst of the varied interests and activities of the Literary Society, the students did not lose sight of the fact that they were successful in the contests with the Sidney Lanier Literary Society in 1929, and consequently their determination was greater to keep the cup in their Society and to prove them¬ selves equal to such worthy opponents. Lastly was the definite contribution of the Society, together with the Sidney Lanier Society, to the school in their presenta¬ tion of choral selections at the Commencement. This participa¬ tion was an evidence of their primary interest in the school and the cooperation with their sister society. Page Nineteen

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Sidney Lanier Literary Society S the main object, the Literary programs of this year have been to intensify the study of Universal Litera¬ ture to a greater extent than in our daily classes. Our first program included a study of American Literature, enumerating the outstanding authors and their famous contribu¬ tions to Literature. The program following was devoted to English Literature in its various stages. A very interesting re¬ port was given on the Passion Play. The meeting before the Christmas holidays imparted the true Christmas spirit in the miracle play given, which was translated from Latin into English by the Latin students of both societies and in the Latin and French carols sung by members of the society. The Literature of the less familiar countries was condensed into one program. A contest was the main feature of the last program. A giant book, made of paper, was placed on the stage so that imper¬ sonated characters from familiar books were able to step from its pages. The remaining members contested in recognizing these characters as they appeared. The winner was Teddy Lindfors. At Christmas time our society established the precedent of caroling in the city. The citizens showed their appreciation by the many candles placed in the windows of their homes. April began the enthusiastic preparation of the final Literary contests between the two societies at the close of school. The students participated in the first preliminaries with eager efforts to outstand. The new talent in the society gained special merit. There were ten public readers, five essayists, nine public speak¬ ers and six debaters. The winner of the public reading was Frances Johnson; of essay, Margaret Argenbright; of public speaking, Edward Parker; of debating, Abraham Cohen and Mary Frances Wells. We are proud in having for our society five of the interforensic students, representing Hopewell High School, namely: Mary Frances Wells, debating; Edward Parker and Margaret Argenbright, public speaking; Frances Johnson and Abraham Cohen, reading. The last two presidents of the Sidney Lanier Literary Society have also been presidents of the Student Government, William Earl Pritchard and Custis Burton. The Literary Societies plan to combine their treasuries and present a Literary Night in token of devotion to Alma Mater. Page Eighteen

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The Civics Club HE Civics Club of this year was reorganized with officers as follows: A. E. Meehl, president; Howard Davis, vice- president and program chairman; Helen Bell, secretary and treasurer; Mary Boocks, reporter and Miss Burch, sponsor. The purpose of the club is to promote the general wel¬ fare of the school and further all civic activities. It instills in its members a knowledge of our government and our part in it. This year the club has sponsored a historical trip to Rich¬ mond which included a visit to the two Houses of the General Assembly, Capitol Building and other places of historical note. The club has further functioned in civic activities by the observation of Arbor Day. The members planted a tree on the school lawn, dedicating it to Mr. Mallonee. The club is now considering the advisability of sponsoring a trip to Williamsburg. We resolved to take a hand in “Clean- Up-Week” in and about the school. “No Trespassing” signs are being made to plant on the front campus. We wish for the Civics Club of next year the best of success. Co-Operative Student Government The Co-Operative Student Government Association has con¬ tinued its existence this year along the same worthy aims and ideals as are outlined in our constitution. Namely: That each pupil may learn by personal participation the mechanism of our student government, thus preparing him for a useful life as a citizen. There are five main divisions of our student government. First: The Home Room organization; second: the Student Council, which is composed of a faculty sponsor who is appointed by the principal, faculty advisers who are elected by the faculty, a representativ e from each home room organization, and a presi¬ dent, vice-president and secretary who are elected by the student body; third: the Executive Committee which is composed of the president, vice-president, faculty advisers, sponsor and a member of the Student Government who is elected to serve on this committee; fourth: the principal, who has the power to veto; fifth: the various squads, namely, Sanitation, Traffic, Usher, Assembly and Program, who are appointed by the president and vice-president with the help of the sponsor. With this machine our school has functioned smoothly and accomplished much. Page Twenty