London Normal School - Spectrum Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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The Literary Society — Continued and the merrymakers were led on an expedition through class-rooms and halls, following a rope to the cellar, where many weird forms and noises afforded thrills for the crowd. Games, promenades, and lunch were the concluding features of a happy evening. Following the Literary Society meeting at which Mrs. D. C. McGregor, Marian Keith, addressed the students, Form Four entertained the mem- bers of the staff and student body at an afternoon tea, served in the gym. During this social hour the students enjoyed the friendly intercourse with London ' s well-beloved writer. Our form parties, too, fulfilled a very necessary function in bringing our co-workers into closer relationships. Weiner roasts, skating and tobogganing, as well as parties in the gym., provided amusements for all. Twice during the year, the friendly games with Western University were the occasions of social intercourse with this neighboring educational institution. But best of all, comes the At Home. February fifteenth, the long- looked-for date, brought fine weather. Thorough preparation by the various committees in charge made the evening an unqualified success. The work of the decorating committee had transformed the school into a bower of beauty. Streamers of crimson and gold, shaded lights, and many other novel decorations were especially pleasing. The guests were welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Prendergast, representing the staff; Misses Thompson and Doherty and Messrs. Croxford and Gemmel, representing the Literary Society. Part I. of the programme consisted of a concert in the auditorium, which was packed to overflowing. Members of the Stratford Normal were present, and brought us greetings from our sister school. The concert consisted of a dramatization, Mrs. Tree, by Miss Adams, and selections by the Glee Club. Following the programme, the promenades started, and for the remainder of the evening continued through the school. Delightful music was furnished by the orchestra, and during the promenades a dainty lunch was served in the gymnasium. The At Home will long be remembered as the most delightful event of the year at Normal. We have found in these social functions that have graced our course all that is desirable in pleasure, in education, in social comradeship. Let us now look forward to the Christmas reunion as a means of renewing friendships and of strengthening the ideals our Alma Mater has imparted to us. Debating and Oratory with Stratford. The fourteenth of March! What clearly-defined visions it recalls from the already dim and remote past to the minds of the London Normal School Class of nineteen hundred and twenty-four. On that date, in company with the athletic teams and a few loyal followers, our chosen disciples of Demos- thenes and Cicero swept proudly into the city of Stratford to measure their fluency and skill in friendly rivalry with the orators of the Stratford school. A warm welcome greeted them at the station, and the merry group trooped through the streets to the splendid building which houses the Stratford Normalites. Here they were the guests at a dainty banquet served amid decorations which blended the crimson and gold of the visitors with the colors of their hosts. Soon after the close of the lunch the centre of interest moved into the well-filled auditorium, where the feeling of good-fellowship was further reinforced by the singing of a few well-known songs. After an expectant hush, Dr. Silcox opened the evening ' s program with a few aptly chosen words. Then came the initial contest. With a steady flow of rhythmic eloquence scarcely excelled in its beauty by the poetry of the subject of the address, Miss Irene Stewart, in her quietly persuasive manner, carried her audience with her to an appreciation of the gentle character and indis- putable genius of the silver-penned, native Canadian poetess, Pauline Johnson. The Stratford aspirant to the honors followed with a well- worded discourse, but the judges were compelled to award the decision to Miss Stewart from the standpoints of superior oratory, greater platform experience, and a more happy choice of subject. The serious program of the evening was lightened by delightful musical numbers from various Stratford students, and a much-appreciated solo by our own Miss Margaret McCallum. Immediately after this brief lull Miss Mary Hosie and Mr. Bruce Shaw took the platform to contend that Women should receive wages equal to those of men for similar work. In a pointed and convincing address, Mr. Shaw opened the discussion and Miss Hosie, his colleague, supported him in an equally capable manner. They were, however, vigorously opposed by the representatives of the Stratford school in a masterly battle of words and wits. Indeed, for some time the result seemed so uncertain that one was reminded of the statue of the ancient Greeks which, because of her fickleness, represented Victory as a winged figure. The debate was brought to a crushing close by the concluding speech of Mr. Shaw; and the hall rang with applause when, soon after, the judges announced a second success for the eloquence of the London Normal School. 12

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THE second week ot the fall term marks the be- ginning of the Literary Society of this year. From the first, a spirit of interest anil enthusiasm characterized this feature of our school activities. Through this medium the talents ot the students were discovered and displayed. The competition between the Forms in taking charge ot the meetings produced splen- did results. During the year several noted men and women addressed the students. Professor Meras, ot Western University, lectured on Southern France ; Mr. Presgrave, of the Hall Acme Co., gave an address on The Silk Industry. Mr. Y. E. Saunders, a prominent London business man, spoke on Bird Music. Canadian I iterature was the subject upon which Mrs. D. C. McGregor, Marian Keith, spoke in a delightful manner. Dr. Kingston, ot Western University, gave a lecture on Eclipses, and Captain Willis, also ot London, interested us in a vivid talk on his experiences of the Great War. Among other special features of the Society meetings we mention those that featured a Mock Trial, an address on Mars by Dr. White, and an abridged reading of John Drinkwater ' s play, Abraham Lincoln, by Miss N ' eilson. Several debates prepared the school for the contests with Stratford. The Success of the Society has been greatly furthered by r the unstinted efforts of the members of the executive of both terms. Executive of the First Term. President — Mr. V. K. Croxford. Vice-President — Miss Adeline Thompson. Secretary — Miss Jean McKnight. Treasurer — Miss Mary Campbell. Representatives — Form I. — Mr. Bruce Shaw. Form II.— Miss Alta Bell. Form III. — Miss W. Kincade. Form I V. Miss H. Elnore. Form V.— Miss K. Margrett. Form VI. — Miss B. Marsh. Form VII. — Mr. Earl Lamont. Representatives of Athletic Society — Miss Jessie Boyes, Eric M. Wilson. Editor of Paper — J. C. Webster. Executive of the Second Term. President — Mr. J. Stanley Gemmel. Vice-President — Miss Mar- jorie Doherty. Secretary — Mr. Howard Brown. Treasurer — Mr. Howard Beattie. Representatives — Form I. — Mr. James Robinson. Form II.— Miss Tena B. Baldwin. Form III. — Miss Fern Gleeson. Form IV. — Miss Violet Gillespie. Form V. — Miss Velma Gregory. Form VI. — Miss Veronica Oullette. Form VII.— Mr. Ralph Martin. Editor of the Paper — Mr. J. Campbell Webster. President of First Term — Mr. Victor K. Croxford. Representatives of Athletic Societv — Miss Jessie Boyes, Eric M. Wilson. The Literary Society has proved a valuable asset of our school year, and we feel that in its functioning the real purpose of general culture and professional advancement has been carried out. Social Activities. Our present complex society demands an all-round development ot our powers. We strive to give to each side of our natures the necessary train- ing. In accordance with this development, the social nature must not be forgotten, and thus it is that social features play a worthy part in our school life. Soon after our arrival at the Normal School, an informal afternoon tea on the lawn afforded a delightful means of getting acquainted. The spirit of Hallowe ' en next called the student body together for an evening of amusement. Witches, ghosts, and other mysterious figures made their way to the scenes of festivity in the auditorium, where a programme appropriate to the occasion was enjoyed. Next came the judging of costumes, 1 1

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The Literary Society — Continued Principal Prendergast expressed his pleasure at being present, and in his charming manner counselled the students to play tor the sake of the game and to forget the prize. This is excellent advice to remember long after we leave the shadows of this school. Our friends of the sister school are accomplished hosts and game losers. On the sixteenth day of May they will return, doubtless full of determination Debating and Oratorv with Stratford — Continued. to duplicate the feat of London at Stratford. When they arrive, however, they will find the L. N. S. resolved to do its best to sustain the past enviable record. Miss Kathleen Gilmore will defend the laurels of the school in the field of oratory, and from what we know of her our hopes run high. The arguments ot the visiting debaters will be met, we hope successfully, bv Miss yv ynne Kincaide and Mr. Victor K. Croxford. Whatever ,Fate has in reserve, we are anticipating a gladsome struggle.