Palmer Institute Starkey Seminary - Echo Yearbook (Starkey, NY)

Page 39 text:

E. se -' ff! X 9 mersunian literary Sucietpr Emersonians, Adelphians and Friends: The Emersonian is one of the two literary societies of Starkey Seminary whose common purpose is The improvement of its members in literature, oratory and parliamentary usage. This object is followed up in the Friday night meetings held, alternately with the Adelphians, in the chapel and in Room Six. The chapel meetings consist of both musical and literary numbers. A great deal of variety in the musical part of the program has been possible this year. The society talent, from which for the past two years, hir. Sutphen has almost entirely chosen his orchestra, is the best in many years. Miss W1'igl1t has cooperated with us in working up special numbers and in several times taking part herself. The literary features of these meetings consist in original work, in readings and in recitations, all of which are first prepared by the artists for the evening, and later submitted for criticism to the department of English. The meetings in Room Six are conducted in a less formal manner. The plans for these meetings are in the hands of the literary director, and vary directly with the originality and initiative of that officer. During this year, these meetings have held the general interest to an extent that speaks well for the efforts of the literary directors. Several of the stocks-in-trade of the societies are spelling and cipher matches, extemporaneous speeches, quotations, debates and mock trials. Occasional meetings are given over to practical courses in parliamentary law, in which we drill the procedure which, when put into practice, makes perfect our meetings. The oflicers of the society are elected at the beginning of each term. They are president, vice president, treasurer, critic and marshall. The president, subject to the approval of the society, chooses his cabinet, secretary, literary director and music director. An editor is elected for the full year. A member of the faculty acts as critic at each meeting. VVe are closing the year with a large membership and a full treasury. Our meet- ings have proved of interest and benefit to both members and visitors. Therefore we consider this year a very successful one, and one in which the society has been greatly improved. I thank you. Th irt y-.lf 've

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S1 Q- ' NNN if a The Qhelphian Qssutiatiun ln 1886, the Adelphian Association came into being for the purpose of perfect- ing the ability of public speaking, recitation, oratory, and public self-confidence of its members, also to promote the spirit of friendship, as is shown in the Greek name Adelphia, which means brotherly love. The officers consist of a president, elected at the last meeting of each term, who presides over the meetings, the vice president, elected for the same length of time, who acts as chairman in the absence of the president, and the editor, who writes society news for a column in the Starkey Seminary lVIonthly. The editor retains his office for a year. The president appoints a cabinet consisting of a literary director, a music director, a treasurer, and a secretary. Every other week, the Society holds a meeting in the chapel. Here, on the platform, members of our number entertain their Adelphian brothers with well selected readings, recitations, carefully prepared orations, articles, and written matter. liach member not only provides pleasing entertainment for his brother, but trains himself in the art of speaking intelligently, coherently, forcefully, and interestingly, to an audience, thereby gaining poise and self assu1'ance. lVIusical selections written by the finer composers are rendered, making the programme more pleasurable and promoting the proficiency of the players. The Friday after a chapel assemblage, a small room meeting is held in one of the class rooms. These meetings generally consist of extemporaneous speeches which are exceedingly benehcial in sharpening the wits and preparing the mind for quick, clear and decisive thinking, and perfecting the ability of the speaker to marshall his arguments at a moment's notice and give a lucid, concise and compact discourse. Sometimes these meetings consist of mock trial, parliamentary law, cipher or spelling matches. This year, we voted to have a faculty critic, and since then our meetings have improved, guided by the helpful criticisms of our faculty friend. The Emersonian Literary Society was formed a few years earlier than this Association. Between the two groups a friendly rivalry exists, which stimulates each association to higher efforts. Several times a year, joint meetings are held, present- ing the best talent of each society. Last year in a debating contest, we took the laurels. Athletics are observed to some extent. lntersociety basketball games are held and each June there is a track meet in which each association tries to outrival the other in prowess. Last year the Adelphians held the honors in relay racing. This year's meet is yet to be conquered, and we hope to have the same success. It is an unwritten law that any Adelphian, in after life, may expect brotherly help from his fellow members. The Association corresponds with the college fraternity. Thirty-four I

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5. Q A News ff! g 0 O O Q0 O The Y. XV. C. A. has occupied an important place in the school life of the girls for a number of years. It is an organization which has proved helpful and en- joyable in many ways. lweetings are held on Thursday nights, under the guidance of llfliss Long. Much of the credit for the things we have accomplished during the year is due to her interest in the Y. W. C. A. By keeping in touch with other Girl Reserve movements, she has maintained our meetings on a higher plane than we could have done alone. Aside from the few acts of charity which the Y. W. C. A. has carried out, the project for world friendship was probably the most interesting thing in which we have taken part. Last year the girls dressed dolls to be sent to Japan for this purpose. However, it was not until this fall that we received the letters and the return pre- sent, a folio of views and hand etchings. The second project, undertaken this winter, was the preparation of a school-bag for a Mexican child. Plans for a dance during the spring, are in progress. llffluch of the interest shown in the serious side of the Y. XV. C. A. may be traced to the fact that it has also a lighter and more social side. At any rate, the influence which it exerts on the girls is widely felt, and it has proved itself an exceedingly popular institution. -....4..T 19.1111 .. The Y. M. C. A. started off the year with great expectations fof having good times and interesting meetings. It seems that these expectations are to be fulfilled, for the meetings that we have had so far have proved very interesting. Professor Wa1'ren, whose interest has been the chief factor in building up the Y. M. C. A., has done a great deal toward making the meetings interesting. He has brought up discussions and encouraged debating. Through these debates a great deal of interest and enjoyment has been derived from the meetings. One of the greatest things which Professor VVarren has done is to procure speakers for the meetings. The addresses have been delivered by men in a position to advise the boys about their aims in life. Plans have been made by the Y. M. C. A. for a dance, a play, and camping trips. There is also to be a basketball team chosen from the fellows, which we think will turn out to be a good one. The play is to be given for the purpose of raising money for our dance. If all of these plans turn out well, we shall be able to call this year a success as far as the Y. M. C. A. is concerned. Thirty-six