St Johns High School - Knight Herald Yearbook (Toledo, OH)

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IJ J) MASQUERS C » 5 THE past year has been a most important one in the history of dramatics at Saint John ' s. It has made progress in this art in ways that are new and which may well become a basis for future achievements. This progress may be briefly summed up in two events. First, the presentation of the annual High School Play, which was the most successful from an artistic standpoint of any in the past decade; and secondly, the formation of the first dramatic society ever known to Saint John ' s. The Bat, by Mary Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood, was presented as the annual play on February fourth and fifth. There is no doubt that the play itself is far above the usual run of mystery plays, being known as somewhat of a classic in its field. But the play was by no means easy to act or to direct. But the results attained were suffi- cient to reward everyone for his labor, for the play was acclaimed by faculty, students and audience alike as an achievement worthy of pro- fessional pride. Francis McNerney, who furnished the comedy in the person of Steve the valet, was admittedly the star of The Bat. The burden of the whole show can be said to have rested on the capable shoulders of Jack Solon, who played the part of John Van Gorder, the wealthy and retired lawyer who was interested in the theoretical detection of crime. Probably one of the best bits of character portrayal seen on the Toledo amateur stage this season was given by Thomas Brady, who portrayed a dazed and wounded detective. Albert Fournier acted the villain in a lifelike and convincing manner. Francis Kerscher was ad- mirable as Doctor Wells, the unscrupulous accomplice. Joseph deVault was as typically English as Robert Kryzaniak was Japanese. Both gave unusually clever character impersonations. Richard Kelting made the audience feel intensely the plight of a victim caught in a net of cir- cumstances. Raymond Schrinel died most convincingly and took the part of Fleming well. William Beins was capable as Brooks, the un- fortunate cashier. The entire production was under the personal supervision of Mr. Francis X. Reynolds, S. J. Eugene Miller, the famous director and actor, was responsible for the splendid artistic success of The Bat. Mr. Paul L. O ' Connor, S. J., and Mr. Edward J. O ' Connor, S. J., at- tended to the commercial aspects of the play. Charles Testa was busi- ness manager, with Hubert Beckmann as assistant. Daniel Herr, ably assisted by Erwin Effler, Jr., was in charge of all publicity. Charles Wright and Ralph Sindyla proved to be capable and efficient stage managers. As a direct result of the play came the formation of The Masquers Club, the first dramatic society known to Saint John ' s. Plans for the society were formulated and discussed at the annual play banquet, held February twenty-seventh in the school cafeteria. The plans soon materialized, and in a few weeks the charter was drawn for the organization that decided to be known as the Masquers. Richard Kelting is the first President of the society, with William Beins as Vice-President and Joseph deVault as Secretary and Treasurer. The Masquers boast of sixteen charter members and several try- outs have been held for prospective members. The requisites for ad- mission are scholastic standing of eighty per cent or over, and unmis- takable dramatic ability. Next year The Masquers will be in charge of all dramatic affairs and all actors will be selected from their number. From the above it is easy to see why Saint John ' s High School is justly proud of her record in the field of dramatics during ' 33- ' 3-4. [25] ' ' Off Stttge Snaps

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CL 4frV5 KNIGHT HERALD d- tt J WITH this special issue the Knight Herald celebrates its first major achievement since its inception just eighteen months ago. It was not until the school had been without a student publication for an entire semester that a group of interested boys under the guidance of Mr. Reynolds, S. J., as faculty supervisor, put their heads together, passed around the hat, and answered the students ' clamor for a school newspaper. The paper itself was small, and there were many changes to be found in succeeding issues, but each month brought a marked improvement. By the end of the scholastic year and after the publication of only four issues, the Knight Herald was firmly recognized as a real activity. The first issue of the paper this year found its size increased, its appearance improved, the staff en- larged and everything made better. Without hesitation the Knight Herald was accepted as a member of the two leading scholastic press associations of the country, The Catholic School Press Association and The National Scholastic Press Association. In the early part of the present year the paper developed and ad- vocated an editorial policy, stressing increased enthusiasm in school activities, the organization of a Dramatic Club and the formation of an High School Alumni Association. The results of the space devoted to articles stressing increased enthusiasm in school activities was clearly reflected in the attendance at the basketball games, the large audiences that viewed the two performances of The Bat and the success of the Sodality in all its undertakings. The Dramatic Society has become a reality. The Alumni Association still remains an unfilled plank of the platform, but its realization will probably be seen in the near future. It is certain that the Knight Herald has and will do everything in its power to further plans for such organizations. Few papers, scholastic or metropolitan, can boast of placing two-thirds of their advocated policies into practice within a period less than a year. The paper since its beginning has constantly been experimenting. The headlines have been subject to frequent changes and criticisms, until at last there has been developed a system of headlines that seems to be in perfect harmony with the appearance and style of the publi- cation. The news articles have been written in many different styles in an earnest effort to determine just what was the best way to present a certain type of news story. The editorial portion of the paper has al- ways used its space to express what it thought to be for the best interests of the school and the furtherance of the paper ' s policy. This pictorial edition is a fitting climax to a year devoted entirely to progress. The paper ' s progress has never been doubted. It sent a representative to the National Scholastic Press Association Convention in Chicago last October. It has been represented at Toledo Press Asso- ciation meetings. Its staff has ben addressed by the leading journalists of our city. It is proud of its exchange list which extends from New York to California and includes many of the better scholastic publica tions of the country. The paper has lived up to its title, Knight Herald, in every respect and with its policy of bearing important messages it has attained a position of precursor worthy of any herald of the Middle Ages. Journalistic A oods ' [24]

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« « FORENSIC ART — cff I iO SEE things as they are, to get right to the point, to disentangle a skein of thought, to detect what is sophistical and to discard what is irrelevant are Cardinal Newman ' s words in reference to Uni- versity training. They express perfectly the ultimate purpose of the two forensic Clubs, the Newman and Bellarmine Societies. The Newman Society is a Senior organization and has long-standing traditions. Development of readi- ness in expressing oneself before an audience and an increase in knowledge of current problems are the two purposes of the Newman Society. The Moderator of this notable group is Mr. Paul O ' Connor, S. J., who with his wealth of experience has given the members a sound foundation in the art of public speaking. The President is Arthur Harwood and the Secretary is Frank Albert. These officers have guided the Newman Society through a very suc- cessful and profitable season. Regular meetings of this Society took place once a week. At these meetings debates were held on practical topics. During the course of the year every Senior has had ample opportunity to debate. After the decision was given and the best speaker chosen, the house was thrown open to discussion on the question under debate. Sometimes for the sake of variety, the entire meeting was devoted to discussion. At all times students were encouraged to speak so as to gain experience and poise in addressing a group. Members of the school debating team are chosen almost wholly from the members of the Newman Society. This year eleven of the sixteen debaters are from the Newman Society. Debaters from the New- man Society have twice defeated debaters from the Bellarmine Society. In the first debate, Daniel Herr, Hubert Beckmann and Raymond Schrinel upheld the negative side of the question: Resolved that Japan was justified in her recent action against China. Mr. Schrinel was selected best speaker. In the second contest, Victor Beck, Thomas Murray and Robert Kryzaniak represented the Newman Society, upholding the affirmative side of the radio question: Resolved, that the United States should adopt the essentials of the British system of radio control. There was no choice for best speaker. The Bellarmine Society is an exclusive Junior organization whose purpose is to train Juniors in the forensic art, and to acquaint them with parliamentary practice. Because it is the only third year organiza- tion, it is very popular with the Juniors, and nearly all the Juniors belong to it. Although this society was founded but seven years ago, it is now recognized by all as one of the most interesting and profitable organizations in the school. As in the case of the Newman Society, meetings are held weekly in the after- noons, when everyone has an opportunity to speak. Many fine speakers have been developed by the Bellarmine Society. This year Bellarmine debaters have afforded keen competition to the Seniors, and five students from the club have gained a position on the school debating team. The patron of this Society is St. Robert Bellarmine. The Juniors are extremely fortunate in having for their Moderator, the very experienced Mr. Francis X. Reynolds, S. J. It was under his guidance that this group became outstanding and began to furnish material for the school debating team. The distinction of President is held by Bernard McQuade. The Chairman is Richard Kelting, and the Secretary is Irving Warrick. These officers have initiated new activities, including the Bellarmine Banquet. At each gathering of the Bellarmine Society something new and different is introduced. Sometimes there are debates on up-to-date problems that are confronting our country or the world. Among the debated questions were the Japan-China controversy, the Radio Control problem and the Philippine dilemma. Thus the students acquire some knowledge of current topics as well as practice in speaking before an audience. Oftentimes the meeting is conducted as an open forum, where the third year students are practiced in extemporaneous speaking. Again, a meeting may be devoted to instruction on reading properly. Mock trials in police courts are also conducted. A regular case is drawn against a Junior and legal procedure is carried out. After debates or trials, famous orations by Patrick Henry, Cicero, Grattan and others are delivered. This year on May 17th, the Bellarmine Society sponsored a symposium in honor of their Cardinal patron, at which all the students of the school were guests. After a brief speech of welcome by Bernard McQuade, Joseph deVauIt reviewed in brief the active life of Cardinal Bellarmine. Albert Fournier, who had been selected as the best speaker in third year, delivered a stirring oration on St. Robert Bellarmine, the Apostle of Catholic Action. The remainder of the program was in charge of the Masquers and the Bellarmine Qua rtet. [26]