Pennington School - Penseman Yearbook (Pennington, NJ)

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THE PENSEMAN Not only did we have distinguished visitors address us, but our own students appeared before us in various declamation contests and oratorical competitions, their keen rivalry for the cups and medals furnishing many evenings of edification and instruction. Another phase of our Saturday evening programs was the musical con- certs which Dr. Green provided for us in abundant quantities. Among the most prominent musicians who graced our chapel platform were Mr. Cola- femina and his artists, William Sylvano Thunder and Hilda Reiter, and the Chautauqua bands and orchestras who presented a thorough sweep of the field of music, ,their programs varying from the simple chamber music of Mozart to the weird overtures of Debussey and the crashing chords of the modernist, Scriabin. Our own school Glee Club and orchestra, working in conjunction with Mr. Masonheimer of the Music Department, entertained us several times in programs of popular songs and classical ballads. The members of these popular organizations deserve credit for their unselfish participation in these events which have meant so much to the school. SOCIAL HE social season at Pennington was launched with appropriate bril- liance on the evening of January 29, with the gala occasion of the in- formal Mid-Y ear Prom. A large crowd of enthusiastic revelers was in attendance. Converted into an atmosphere of festivity and gayety we hardly recognized the gymnasium which was hung with colorful festoons, college banners and American flags in a becoming manner. The music was provided by the Rutgers Collegiate Orchestra and accord- ing to the general concensus of opinion, their playing surpassed any we have had of recent years. During one of the intermissions we were entertained by Charles R. Smyth, who sang several popular selections in a competent fashion. The feature of the affair, however, was the distribution of confetti and streamers in lavish quantities, which in a short time converted the dance floor into a miniature Mardi Gras. The refreshments were provided by the culinary department and met with the approval of all. In fact, from every standpoint the dance was an un- qualified success and great credit should go to the Senior Dance Committee who provided such an unusually attractive evening, and to the patrons and patronesses who, by their earnest support, made the affair possible. At this writing plans are under way for the Annual Commencement Prom, which we are assured will be a milestone in the social life of Pen- nington. The committee is engaging an exclusive orchestra and a professional decorator, and no efforts will 'be lacking to make this event an affair to be long remembered. 46

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THE PENSEMAN DRAMATICS HE encouragement of artistic dramatic expression has always been the policy of this school in its desire to develop students along aesthetic as well as scholastic, spiritual and athletic lines. The production of plays at Pennington this year took the form of class presentations and the keen resultant rivalry effectually heightened the quality of the drama presented. This year's senior play, Three Live Ghosts, which was given under the capable supervision of Mr. French, on the evening of January IS. was a decided hit with the students and was acclaimed with many flattering adjec- tives by the local press. Outstanding among the splendid cast of performers were Charles Wil-kinson, whose astounding mastery of the difficult Cockney dialect was a constant source of amusement to all, Fletcher Downs, whose clever interpretation of the role of a shell-shocked soldier met with the approval of the critical audience, and William Flintzer, whose portrayal of a reformed criminal was skillfully constructed. The remainder of the cast whom space does not permit us to mention, carried themselves with poise and restraint and were a contributing factor in the play's success. ' On the evening of March 19, the curtain rose on the joint production of the freshmen and sophomore classes, Little Miss Jack, a comedy melo- drama in four acts. The play was well received by the large audience present, who laughed vigorously as the 'humorous situations were unfolded. Much credit is due to the coaches, Clinton Cranmer, and Edward Deery, who were aible to obtain such excellent results from the material at their disposal. The school was particulraly enthusiastic over the acting of Olin VVelch as the suavesociety slicker. and Joseph Roobin, whose amusing characteriza- tion brought down the house on several occasions. The other members of the cast were entirely adequate and helped to make the play enjoyable for all. ENTERTAINMENTS MONG the most pleasurable and profitable occurrences at Pennington is that of the Saturday Night Entertainments. We feel that this year an unusual effort has been made by Dr. Green to provide the school with the best possible program and that he has gone to great pains and expense to obtain for us the performers and entertainers who have con- tributed so vitally to our life at Pennington. W'e have had lecturers, poets, humorists, clergymen, raconteurs, dramatic readers, magicians and business men who presented to the student body a wide range of inspirational subjects throughout the year. Such notables as Dr. Adam Geibel, Edmund Vance Cooke. Dr. Alexander Cairns, Norman Schlichter, and Calvin O. Althouse have addressed us from the platform and the stirring appeals of the speakers and stimulating Philoso- phies of the poets have found permanent lodgement in our memories. 45

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