Jacksonville High School - Crimson J Yearbook (Jacksonville, IL)

Page 14 text:

r The plans for the efforts along literary and dramatic lines, for the year 1911-12, have been completed and provide for a full year in this work. All the work in this department will be under the joint direction of Mr. Hate and Mr. Cook. The elementary work will be done, as usual, in the literary societies. 1 hese have already organized and will begin their active work during the month of October. The Athenian, under the leadership of Lois Hayden, ’12. will continue the work of last season in parliamentary drill, extemporaneous speaking, readings and presentation of short papers. Athenian has a membership of nearly fifty, and strong work should be fhe result. The Forum has a small but efficient number of members, and the work of this society will follow along lines mentioned in another article in this issue. A new society has been provided for this year—a dramatic club. The purpose in forming this club is to afford the more advanced students an opportunity to study the principles of stage presentation and the drama from the producer’s point of view, l'he work of the club will consist of reading and interpreting the parts of several plays during the year. Part of the year will be spent in the study of the lighter plays of Shakespeare, the balance of the time to be devoted to modern comedies. Because of the difficulties in handling a larger number, membership in this club will be limited to twenty-five and open only to Juniors and Seniors. Any member of the two upper classes may apply for membership. A general tryout for candidates will be held by the directors so that each candidate may be tried out on their merits in dramatic ability. Standing in scholarship will also be taken into account in selecting the members. Every effort will be expended to make this club one of high standard, and membership will mean merit and ability. The club will meet regularly one evening each week. The first tryout for 1911-12, for which fifty candidates have registered, is set for October 14th. A call for candidates for the oratorical has already been made. The date for the local contest has been settled. Candidates must register their subjects by January 12th. Several have begun reading in preparation for this work, and a better local contest than has ever been held is expected. l'he declamatory w'ork will be under the direction of Mr. Cook, who has the reputation of being a very competent coach in this work. Mr. Cook was very successful last year at Oconto H. S., Oconto, Wis., both of his candidates winning in locol and district contests. Announcements as to the details of this work will come later. The local contest is set for April 11th. Debating will again offer opportunities in that line to any one interested in public speaking. Mr. Bate will offer the same course in debating as was offered last year. 6

Page 13 text:

r □ c □ c we need the money! Oh, no; we’re not hard up. It isn’t that, but how can we put out four hundred copies on nothing? You say you’ll take it? Oh, bliss! 1 knew you would! You’re a dear. What? You want two subscriptions? My dear, I’m stunned for the moment. I see, you want the other for George. Yes, I knew he was going up to Wesleyan this year. All right; wait a second and I’ll make out your receipts. I thank you so much. Come over this evening and we’ll have some welsh rarebit. Good-bye! THE WAY IT WAS Scene—Rear of Recitation Room. Characters—Pedagogue in deep disgust. Crestfallen Pupil. Irate Father. SCENE I. Deeply Disgusted Ped. (In strident tones.) Oh, thou that sittest there In deep despair, Come from it. Knowest thou that thy behaviour Hast been exceeding bad? Knowest thou that from that hand T hou threwst A small ill-shapen ball that lodged I’ the back of thy defenceless neighbor? . Knowest thou, thou low unheeding one. That in the rules of Discipline Your crime is black indeed? I shall unto thy undeserving name A score of demerits affix, To vex you and to vex your parents. Speak, wicked one, and see if T hou canst find words To clear the blame away. Crestfallen Pupil (with eyes downcast.) Oh, beloved Pedagogue, in the dust am I befroe you. Oh, I beseech thee, think not ill of.me! Heed my youthful years. I beg of you penalize me not too se verely. Here in the dust am I before you. (halls in the crayon dust in the aisle, weeping.) Deeply Disgusted Ped.; Arise, thou lowly one; I leave thee with thy guilty conscience. (She spurns him and leaves the room with an indignant air.) SCENE II. (A room containing Crestfallen Pupil and Irate Father. T he Irate Father shakes aloft a letter from the Deeply Disgusted Ped. No words are necessary. The next action speaks for itself.) And so she did not hurry. Nor sit up late and cram, Nor have the blues and worry, Put—she failed in her exam. THE CEREAL STORY They walked among the Shredded wheat. When grape nuts were in season; He asked her why she seemed so sweet. She answered. ‘-There's a reason.” 5

Page 15 text:

The plans for this year are somewhat more developed than last season, ajici k«sr-TH(!u tering for this course- -rrtay'obtain a knowl-'' edge of dividing and analyzing questions, methods of investigation and research on public questions, and presentation of points of argument in debate. Beginning December 5th, the class will meet twice a week until March 15th. Approved work in this course will count as an equivalent lumber of hours’ work in Lngiish. Arrangement for this credit will be made 1 .he'S ector and the instructor in English. he outlook for two strong teams this year should he excellent. Bullard and Weeks, of year’s teams, are again candidates. A n unifier of last year’s squad who displayed ubililt but did not make the team, are still in school and should make strong candidates. AH in all, the prospects for a good v tar in literary activities were never betti Enough variety in the lines of work is afforded so that every one interested may participete. 1 he following is a summary of the plans for the year: Athenian and Forum (open to all students)— Meet once every three weeks. Dramatic Club— Every Thursday at 7:15 P. M. Debating Class— — 1 wice a week, beginning December 5th. March 8th— Local oratorical contest. March 15th—Debates: Springfield—at Springfield. Quincy—at Jacksonville. December 20th, 1911— Holiday Dramatic Production. January 12th— Candidates for oratory register subjects. J. H. S. vs. J. H. S. vs. April 11th— Declamatory contest. April 25th— Annual Senior Play. May 3rd—W. I. H. S. League contest. THE ATHENIAN The Athenian Literary Society held the first meeting of the year on Monday, September 15th, at 3:30, in the Study Hall. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: President—Lois Hayden. e President—Lura Wiswell. Sec’y and i'reas.—Marian Mowry. The program for the year was merely touched upon. The society is planning to have same interesting papers and enthusiastic debates, which every girl should hear. 1 he Athenian has proved itself a splendid thing. Now it needs new members. It needs you and you need it. The meetings, held immediately after school, are always short and spirited. “s—(jirls, think about it and come to the next meeting. THE FORUM Literary Society held its and the following officers March 1st— Orations completed and marking. handed in for The Forum annual election were elected: President—Everett Weeks. Vice President—Edward Bullard Treasurer—Tracy Alexander. 7