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

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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]

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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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DEBATE TEAM DEBATING, one of the essentials in the formation of a complete curriculum, has always been empha- sized at Saint John ' s. Although all the students receive complete and solid courses in the forensic art, the idea is carried out still further in the form of a debating team. This team, like our various athletic teams, competes with schools in the city and also with those of other cities. The personnel of this group consists of the best men selected from the Bellarmine and Newman Societies. Raymond Schrinel, Arthur Harwood, Robert Kryzaniak, Charles Testa, Carroll Parker, Victor Beck, Thomas Murray, Valentine Deale, Joseph Wrobel, Joseph deVault, Erwin Effler, Albert Fournier, George Graff, and Martin McManus comprised the Saint John ' s Debating Team of ' 34. This year Saint John ' s was very fortunate in having excellent material in both the Senior and the Junior groups. Mr. Paul O ' Connor, S. J., was selected as the instructor and coach of the Debating Team. Daniel Herr was placed in charge of the schedule, and although the schedule was short, all the teams booked provided keen competition for our debaters. As a result of their labors, the team lost only one debate throughout the current season. In every debate a Saint John ' s representative was selected best speaker. Although all the men chosen did not see active service, owing to the limited schedule, yet each of them received a valuable training, in which stress was laid on poise, logical thinking and fluent speech delivery. The first team that Saint John ' s engaged in formal debate was the University of Detroit High School team at Westminster Auditorium on January twenty-ninth. The subject under discussion was: Resolved that the United States adopt the essential features of the British radio system of control. The affirmative was upheld by Saint John ' s. Thomas Murray, Robert Kryzaniak, and Victor Beck were the speakers for Saint John ' s. Richard Foley, Leo LaPorte, and John Flaherty represented the Detroit school. The judges awarded the first place to Saint John ' s and selected Mr. Kryzaniak as the best speaker. The second debate of the year was held March sixteenth in Westminster Auditorium. St. Ignatius High School of Cleveland furnished the opposition. The topic was the same as in the previous debate. This time Saint John ' s upheld the negative, Arthur Harwood, George Graff, and Raymond Schrinel doing the arguing for Saint John ' s. The judges again selected Saint John ' s as the winner. Arthur Harwood was chosen best speaker. On April sixth, Robert Kryzaniak, Erwin Effler, and Arthur Harwood representing Saint John ' s jour- neyed to Cleveland, for a return debate with St. Ignatius High School. The topic of debate was the same as in the two preceding debates. Saint John ' s lost their first debate of the season, but Arthur Harwood was chosen best speaker. Resolved that men are more intelligent than women, was the topic of the return debate with the University of Detroit High School on April twenty-seventh. This was a non-decision debate. Albert Fournier and Carroll Parker made the trip to Detroit and ably represented Saint John ' s. The debating team together with its coach is to be congratulated on its fine work. The Seniors on the team have received invaluable training which will serve them in good stead; the Junior debaters proved that they are capable of carrying on the debating traditions during the coming year. It can truly be said that the debating team of 1934 has established a record that has never been equaled in the history of Saint John ' s. Saint John ' s in turn says, good work and congratulations. [27] JL