Momence High School - Monesse Yearbook (Momence, IL)

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.

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 15 text:

SENIOR YEAR BOOK. 15 The Declamations were well delivered and doubtles s showed the talent of the high school along this line. Varnum Parish won first honors and Alma Drayer second. The Musical program, one of rare selection, was given solely by members of the high school and no doubt the harmony did touch the hearts even of some of those who did not claim a residence in Momence. We sincerely hope that these contests will continue and that, year after year, the Momence high school will send forth orators and declaimers even as good as these. SENIOR CHARACTEROGRAPHS. J. V. D., “A Maiden never bold of spirit, so still and quiet that her mo¬ tion blushes at itself.” M. A. B., “A flash of her keen, dark eyes, forerunning the thunder.” C. I . E. C. N., “Tall and slender with hair all curled, a typical, stylish Gibson girl.” W. S. K., “ ' Three-fifths of him genius and two-fifths sheer fudge.” O. M. B., “Her fingers shame the ivory keys, they dance so light along.” A. I. D., “A sad, good Christian at her heart.” F. E. C., “She looked up to blush and she looked down to sigh.” L. M. T.y “Faithful, gentle, good, wearing the rose of womanhood.” G. N. P., “His mind his kingdom, and his will his law.” L. E. W., “Like a lovely tree she grows to womanhood, and between whiles rejects several suitors, just to learn how to accept a better in his turn.” I. M. F., “Be to her virtues very kind, be to her faults a little blind.” B. S. S., “She is pretty to walk with and witty to talk with and pleasant too, to think on.”