Main Avenue High School - El Sombrero Yearbook (San Antonio, TX)

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 HyiipAegj Inter Scholastic Contests The debating and declamation contest was held at Main Avenue and was one that will always he remembered as the most exciting of events. It was particularly thrilling because we had for our opponent a most worthy one, Brackenridge. The girls declamation and hoys debate were set for the afternoon. Brackenridge filed in and occupied their alloted space. Main did the same. Pandemonium reigned. Brackenridge cheered, then Main out cheered them. Mr. Johnston, principal of B. H. S. introduced the speakers. Miss Leona Bridge. Main’s representative, was the first speaker. From the minute she stepped upon the platform, the atmosphere was one of breathless suspense. We knew she would win. But Brackenridge was also backing her declamer, Miss Dorothy Cooper. The boys debate came next. Main was represented by Mr. Milton Schneider and Carl Evans who supported the negative side of the question “Resolved. That a movement for an open shop in Texas subserves the best interests of the State and should be supported by public opinion”, while the affirmative was upheld by Mr. Roland Voight and Julius Nafach of Brackenridge. The contest was soon over and the “honorable judges” as Carl so often addressed them, rendered their decisions in favor of Main’s representative in declamation, Miss Bridge, and Brackenridge in debate. The boys declamation and girls debate were held that night. Mr. Oscar McCracken and Murrell Stockton of Main and Brackenridge were the contestants in declamation. Miss I)ama Jones and Anita Brenner of Main Avenue upheld the negative side of the same question that had been debated in the afternoon. The affirmative was supported by Miss Winifred Schuetz and Miss Kathleen Thompson. That debate was a thing of beauty and therefore as Keats says, “A joy forever”. Dama with her dignity and Anita with her pep made a perfect team. The judges gave their decision in favor of our girl debaters and Mr. Stockton of Brackenridge in declamation. This decision left Main and Brackenridge “even”. The honors were divided equally in favor of Main’s GIRLS and Brackenridge’s boys. The district meet was held in San Marcos. Main was represented by Miss Leona Bridge in declamation and Miss Dama Jones and Anita Brenner in debate. Even though Leona lost, her efforts were not wasted as she will probably declaim next year and win. Dama and Anita debated the teams from Staples and Luling and after two rather hotly contested debates, beat them both. —25—

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 HVIiP-ACHE Interclub Contests DEBATING Years ago a public-spirited citizen of San Antonio presented Main Avenue with a cup for debating and each year a debating contest has been held between the various clubs to determine who shall keep the cup until the following year. This year, for the first time, the girls—the Philomathean Debating Club—entered the contest; the boys’ clubs were; Congress. Hayne, and Jeff. Each one choose a first, second, and third team, which were: Philomatheans—First team, Etta May Price and Dama Jones; second team, Anita Brenner and Natalie Forsyth; third team, Mina Alvord and Louise Ryan. Congress—First team. Hyman Plenn and Julian Blair; second team, Robert Col-glazier and Stanley Slavens; third team. Clovis Coffman and Harry Frey. Hayne—First team, Harrison Pollard and Spurgeon Mansfield; second team. Joe Sparks and Sam Maltzman; third team, Carvel Hunter and Britton McCall. Jeffs—First team. Carl Evans and Ellis Albaugh; second team, Robert Thomas and Albert King; third team, Russell Harpole and Leslie Evans. The first teams debated the state subject—'‘The Open versus Closed Shop;” the second teams had the subject, Resolved; That the Initiative and Referendum should be adopted in Texas;” the third teams debated the question Resolved; That the President should be elected by popular vote.” Debates were held on the first, tenth, and seventeenth of December. The standing of the clubs after each contest was as follows: December 1 December 10 December 17 Won Lost Won Lost Won Lost Phils 3 0 5 1 6 3 Congress 2 1 4 2 7 2 Hayne 1 2 2 4 4 5 Jeff 0 3 1 5 1 8 ORATION AND DECLAMATION Main also has cups for oratory and declaiming for which, after the excitement of the debating contest has subsided, contests are held each year between the boys’ clubs. In the oratorical contest the orations were written by the speakers. Each club entered one contestant and this year Congress carried off the cup, John Bailey of that club being judged the best. The entries from the clubs were: Hayne—Pascal Buckner. Congress—John B. Bailey. In the declamation contest the speeches were not original but by some prominent man or woman. Oscar McCracken, of the Haynes won the contest this year. The other contestant was Clifford Forster of Congress. —24—

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