Petoskey High School - Observer Yearbook (Petoskey, MI)

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1 . i . DEBATING. Debating in Petoskey High School has suffered several hard knocks this year. First the schools of the State Debating League were divided into two classes according to school enrollment. Petoskey found itself matched against Cadillac, Traverse City, Alpena and other schools out of its immediate vicinity. Judging by past experience, the faculty de- cided that school support of debating was so weak that the longer trips to these schools would prove far too expensive. The teams were chosen late in December, Cleo Faunce, Dorsey Ellis and James Mack, on the aflirmative side, to uphold the Closed Shop. Carl J unker, Margaret Sager and Rowan Fasquelle on the negative, to defend the Open Shop. This year Miss Bollenbach coached the teams and gave a great deal of splendid, faithful service. -Mr. Lantz and Mr. Spitler assisted. On March third the negative team went to Boyne City for its first debate. There it met a team which had had four debates and was at the close of its schedule. We lost a closely contested debate by a two to one decision. The next day the affirmative team lost a two to one vote to Boyne City's negative in the Petoskey auditorium. This was quite a creditable showing for the first debate and if we had had the same number of debates as Boyne City had, it is quite safe to say that the outcome of these debates would have been different. Petoskey was PAGE EIGHTY-ONE

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in many ways superior in argument but fell down in delivery and in re- buttal work. March thirteenth found both teams engaged in their second and last debate. The affirmative team at the Soo and the negative team at home. At the Soo the team put up a splendid debate and the judges found it a difficult one to decide. Buft after much deliberation awarded the debate unanimously to the Soo. The negative team fared a triiie better for it convinced one of the judges. The Soo sent down a team well-versed in all phases of the subject. Petoskey was their equal in delivery and argument but was weak in meeting the peculiar plan which the Soo team advanced. These four debates comprised the entire season for Petoskey. A season quite unsuccessful from the standpoint of victories and school in- terest aroused, but more successful in regard to the training of new material. It is to the three experienced debators who will return next year and to the entire school that Petoskey looks for its support in re- building the fallen traditions of our high school's debating prowess. R. F., '22. FRESH.-SOPH. DEBATE 1 For many years it has been the custom to hold a debate between two teams representing the Freshman and Sophomore classes. These debates have proved very valuable in training new debaters, in creating an interest in debating and in presenting a discussion of current pro- blems. This year the Fresh.-Soph. Debate was an excellent one with good speakers on both teams. The Freshman team, composed of William Ellis, Janet Danser and Albert Crawford, presented the affirmative, side of the proposition that European Immigration Should Be Restricted for a Period of Two Years. The Sophomores were ably represented by Reva Jarman, Frances Cooper and Velma Kahler. They made strong pleas for the negation but the judges were moved to cast a two to one decision for the affirmative. Much credit is due to the coaches for the splendid showing of both of these teams. To Mr. Bates the Freshman class is indebted, and to Miss Peet goes the appreciation of the Sophomore class. A R. F., '22, PAGE EIGHTY-TWO