La Salle Academy - Maroon and White Yearbook (Providence, RI)

Page 89 text:

U , Y 2 O Q 2 L . 5 Q 00N and 'VVIMIITE 5 First Row: J. Clair, J. Sutton, J. Puclien, J. Hzwkett, J. Hanley. Seeond Row: A. lteisvrt, .I. O'Conuor, .l. Buvklin. A. Sherry, D. Major, lil. Sullivan, A. Burke. 'I'hlrd ltow: A. Kelly, G. Garvey, A. Bartlett, 'l'. Kelly, J, Lamb. ' reahmen ' lnrutiun Qlnnteat ITH the inauguration of the new school year, all activities were given a generous impetus by an enthusiastic student body. As the days rolled on the gratifying results were obvious to everybody. Taking advantage of the earnest spirit that prevailed among the Freshmen, the faculty decided to revive interest in the time-honored old standby -elocution. This activity made its particular ap- peal to the Freshmen. The mere announcement of the proposed Freshman elocution contest threw the frisky new-comers into an excited state that bordered on hysteria. They went scurrying to all quarters in their attempts to resurrect the golden-tongued efforts of our immortal orators. They memorized and spoke, gesticulated and emoted for weeks previous to the contest. It was to he no childish affair. The first of these contests was held in the school auditorium, February 8, l929. Each Freshman class had its well-groomed representa- tive, while the rest of the respective ensemble gathered to see that due justice was given him. Six members of the faculty served as judges. After a long and interesting contest the winners were announced as follows: George Garvey, Eu- gene Sullivan, Ambrose Russit, Joseph Padien, James Lamb, Arthur Sherry, John Sutton, Alfred Bartlett, Ed. Gorman, John O'Connor, Joseph Jackett, Joseph Clair, Thomas Kelly and David Major. 85

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U Um 5 TE T3 f 5 E e s 00N and WHITE 2 2 Behating Glluh uf' ELLO, Jerry. How's the boy? Say, I haven't heard anything about that de- bating club you mentioned some weeks ago? What has it done since its inception last September. Well, joe, it is really encouraging to note the interest of the students in the debating club, and if you bear with me I'l1 try to give you a brief outline of its activities this year. To begin with, the students clamored for such a club. Brother Paul, heeding their cries, gave them the necessary impetus and encouragement, so that debating had advanced far beyond the high status it enjoyed in former years. Organization took place immediately. John Dunn was elected President. Teams were picked and subjects of debate selected. All our efforts were directed toward the grand finale of the year, the Senior-Junior debate. In the Senior divisions the team of Dunn, Mc- Williams and O'Keefe debated the advisability of a literacy test for immigrants with Carroll, Conaty and Barrett. After a long struggle, which threw a great deal of light on the subject, the former team finally won. Then this team de- bated the pro and con of government control of railroads with Leo Dunne, Durkin and Roarke. Thorough preparation made this debate very close and intensely interesting, but Dunn, McWilliams and O'Keefe finally achieved success by establish- ing a practical plan whereby governmental control would work for the best interests of all concerned. The Juniors had a wealth of material, among which two teams stood out. Havens, McGowan, Fletcher and Moran vied with Kinderlan, Murphy and Austin for top honors. When they discussed the practicability of student government the whole school rang with the echo of their arguments. Havens, Fletcher and Moran finally sewed it up for the negative by establishing the claim that stu- dent opinion either ignored a partial control or violently opposed complete control. Although the more experienced members of the club will be lost to the school through gradua- tion, La Salle need not be alarmed. In the Junior and Sophomore years there are budding wits and keen casuists. La Salle in debating will be safe. 84 we-. t. ,, f,. -.-

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,- or 2 . 'fA, sa is c OON and WHITE g QB1:rtpzatra There sal a group of friends, enclianlecl With the delicious melodies. HETHER playing a haunting melody of olden days or the lilting strains of a modern melody, the La Salle orchestra has enchanted its listeners with its perfection of tone. By dint of hard and continued practice the orchestra has attained a standard seldom reached in high school circles. Following the completion of a highly successful season in l927-28, many va- cancies were to be found as a result of graduation. Prospects for equalling former records of La Salle orchestras were not particularly bright. But four former players retained their positions: Donald King, George Brennan, Lawrence Batastini and William Ellis. But the new registration provided ample talent to replace the vacancies, The new material gradually reached its present peak under the tutelage of Brother Jerome and Prof. Joseph Piacitelli. se .y The performances of the La Salle orchestra have taken in a wide scope. In the two big social events of the La Salle calendar, namely, the an- nual dramatic presentation, April 25 and 26, and the commencement exercises, June l4, the line en- tertainment provided by the orchestra evoked words of praise and encouragement from all. Every Friday afternoon the orchestra has fur- nished musical performances for school and class assemblies. However, the work of the La Salle orchestra does not rest solely in school activities. On November 24 the orchestra played at the Immaculate Conception parish. At other parochial entertainments in the city the school orchestra has proudly displayed its wares, with great benefit to themselves and to the school. It is a source of satisfaction and delight to know that most of the members of the orchestra are underclassmen. Graduation will in no wise injure its personnel. Next year they can pursue their course, confident of extended success.