Momence High School - Monesse Yearbook (Momence, IL)

Page 13 text:

SENIOR YEAR BOOK. 13 1897, ' 98. Kellogg Bird Carnival Concert Co., concert. William Hawley Smith, lecture. W. R. French, lecture. Katharine Ridgeway Co., concert. James Hedley, D. D., lecture. 1898, ’99. Frank Crane, D. D., lecture. Mozart Symphony Club, concert. Prof. H. P. Little, lecture. Rev. Morgan Wood, lecture. George R. Wendling, lecture. 1899, bo. John B. DeMotte, lecture. Garrett P. Serviss, lecture. Temple Quartet, concert. Rev. D. F. Fox, lecture. Slayton Jubilee Singers, concert. 1900, bi. John G. Wooley, lecture. General Sweeney, lecture. Tyrolean Concert Co., concert. Rogers Grilley Concert Co., concert. Katharine Ridgeway Concert Co., concert.

Page 12 text:

Ltecfcu.re Course, The Lecture Course was first organized in this city by Miss L. Emma •Griffin, one of the teachers in our High school, in the year 1894. For some time the course was under the supervision of the B. Y. P. U., but later the teachers of the Momence Union school accepted the responsibility of its control. For a long time previous to the organization of the course it had been apparent to our best citizens that there was need of more high class entertain¬ ments, and to meet this demand the course was organized. The first series of lectures and concerts was given during the year 1894 ’5, and this met with so cordial a recepdon that the course became a permanent institution in w ur city. We subjoin a list of the attractions thus far given to the public: 1894, ’95. Dr. P. S. Hensen, D. D. lecture. Rev. Morgan Wood, lecture. Rev. Robert J. Burdette, lecture. Laura Dainty, Reading. Edw. P. Elliott, reading. 1895, ’96. Imperial Quartet, concert. William Hawley Smith, lecture. Tyman B. Sperry, D. D., lecture. Royal Hand-Bell Ringers, concert. Rev. Morgan Wood, lecture. ■Couthwi Concert Co., concert. 1896, ’97. George Kennan, lecture. Rev. Robert J. Burdette, lecture. Couthwi Concert Co., concert. Rev. Anna H. Shaw, lecture. The Harvard Quartet, concert.

Page 14 text:

Oratorical Contest. On April 25, 1901, the first high school Oratorical and Declamatory Contest was held in Momence. The program was as follows: Invocation, - - - Rev. R. B. Seaman. Music, - High School Quartet. ORATIONS. Influence of Literature, Ready, Aim, Fire! Manual Training in Schools, Twentieth Century Conflict, Vocal Solo, Sarah Hanson. Birdie Smith. Elmer Smith. Phoebe Nelson. Estella Vane. DECLAMATIONS. A Leak in the Dyke, The Fireman’s Prayer, A Sisterly Scheme, Benedict Arnold, Cornet Solo, - - - Trial of Ben Thomas, The Swan’s Song, Kate Shelly, Robert, - MUSIC. Maysie Kious. Blendena Miller. Anna Templeton. Varnum Parish. Carroll Clarke. Alma Drayer. Ina Hess. Blanche Wilson. Ethel Weaver. Vocal Duet, - - - Carrie Spry and Olive MacChesney. Mandolin Solo, - - - Varnum Parish. Piano Solo, - - Esther Gray. HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS. Judges—Mrs. E. A. Wickstrom, Mrs. W. H. Bennett, Mr. P. Harney, Mr. P. J. Cleary, Rev. R. B. Seaman. All the contestants delivered their selections with perfect ease, rendering the entertainment one of instruction as well as pleasure. The orations were entirely original and gave evidence of latent power which, in the future, will be utilized in more rapidly bringing our High school to the front. Phoebe Nelson won first honors in Oration and Sarah Hanson second.