Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

Page 30 text:

26 Paxton Community High School Reflector ATHENAEUM CONTEST TEAM Standing—Emily Wylie. Howard Hill, Clara Shinker. Sitting— Evelyn Swanson, Evelyn Pierce, Maurice Johnson. talks about anything else. He is never satisiiecl until he nas mastered tne question in every detail. Paul Nelson—Senior—Debater—Platonian. Paul has a powerful delivery. He makes a fine appearance on the platrorm, has a splendid speaking voice, and has the oratorical temperament. Mary Carson—Junior—Piano Solo—Platonian. Mary hails from Clar ence. Illinois. She is a fine musician and the expression of her music 1 simply wonderful. Emily Wylie—Sophomore—Piano Solo—Athenaeum. Tnis talented your.g lady has had the honor of winning for her society for the last two years. Last year she won the violin solo. She is an asset to her society and to the school. Maurice Johnson—Sophomore—Oration—Athenaeum. This was Mam-ice's first try at literary work and he did exceptionally well. We shall expect to hear from him again before he leaves high school. Sidney Johnson—Freshman—Oration—Platonian. Sidney has been the real find of the season. He is equally good as debater and as an orator.

Page 29 text:

Paxton Community High School Reflector 25 iHiteraru anit burial fcimtts LITERARY WORK AT P. C. H. S. Realizirg me true worth of literary training, the students nave 'aken tin active irterest in this work for the last two years. There are two literary societies in I axton Community High School—the Athenaeum Society and the Plutonian Society. The societies are equalized in number at tne be-ginr.ng of each school year. New students are apportioned between the two societies by lot. The plan in the past has been for eaen society to give one entertainment and then for the two societies to meet in an annual contest. The quality of work done in the preliminary entertainments and in tiie annual contest has been remarkable. In most schools, literary work cannot compete with athletics, hut a Paxtor. Community High School the enthusiasm runs fully as high at the t me of tho inter-society contest as it does at the time of any of our most important athletic contests. The quality cf work done in the inter-society contest and the enthusiasm shown by tile school has been the subject of favorable comment by those who have witnessed the contests for the last two years. The two sides were exceptionally well represented in the contest ihi . year snd it seemed impossible to determine before hand which side would win. The program was made up of a debate, orations, serious readii gs, humorous readings, and piano solos. The debate counted three points and each of the others one point. This made it necessary for a society either to win all of the numbers except the debate cr to win the debate and at least one other number in order to be declared the winner. When the votes wore counted, it was found that the Athenaeums had won the debate and pianc solo, and that the Platonians had won the other numbers. This gave the Athenaeums four points and the Platonians three, and the silver loving cup was retained by the Athenaeum society. The Platonians have the consolation, however, that, while they were beaten in number of points won. their society received the greater number of judge's ballots. Counting by votes, the Athenaeums received six ar.d the Platonians nine. CONTEST PERSONALITIES Clara Shinker—Senior—Debater—Athenaeum. Clara hails from Ludlow, Illinois, and she certainly was an asset tc her society this year. She has a certain ease and calmness on the platform that few speakers possess. Ha .el Carlson—Senior—Debater—Platonian. Hazel is clear cut in both thought and statement, and is very forceful in delivery. Howard Hill—Junior—Debater—Athenaeum This young man is a natural horn debater. When he starts on a subject he neither thinks nor

Page 31 text:

27 Paxton Community High School Reflector Standing—Sidney Johnscn, Paul Nelson. Sitting—Hazel Carlscn. Emily Jchnson, Mary Carson, Arlene Carloten. He has three more years to win for his society and for P. H. S. Arlene Carlsten—Sophomore—Serious Reading—Platonian. Arleno has a splenuid voice. She gives readings like an ar.isi. Evelyn Swanson—Senior—Serious Reading—Athenaeum. This young lady has a very pleasing and graceful manner on the stage. Her iterpreta-tion is excellent. Evelyn Pierce—Senior—Humorous Reading—Athenaeum. One would naturally suppose that Evelyn would be the one to give the humorous reading. She was up against a veteran speaker, but gave a good account of herseif nevertheless. Emily Johnson—Senior—Humorous Reading—Platonian. Emily won the serious reading for her society last year and the humorous reading this year. She does one kind of reading just as well as the other.