St Marys College - Dial Yearbook (St Marys, KS)

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First Row. Left to Right: Fr. Spalding, S. J., McFarland, J. Stone, Kelley, Kodman. O l.cary. hvcrliardy, Second Row Gordon. Dickntann, Stuart, V. I’ielstickcr, L. O'Rourke, O'Rourke. I mscheid, Scanlon. Third Row; J. Howard, Marchesscault. John Adler. Rohey, I!. Collins, Chester. T. Murphy. Fourth Row: Prcndcrgast, M. Hums. McKavitt. Mroczynski, Daily. I’. Grcvc, T. Daly. Fifth Row: Biehlcr. licrkcn, lSauerlein. 43Abating Soctetv V XI )F.R the direction of Rev. II. S. Spalding, S. J„ author of several text books and of many stories for hoys, the IMiilalethic Society this year was very successful. It was evident at the beginning of the year to all the old-time members that the coming term would be more interesting and more fruitful than in former years. The clever criticisms following the addresses of each appointed speaker, and the skillful arrangement of programs by Father Spalding is the direct cause for whatever the IMiilalethic Society may have done. Due to the fact that a Freshman Debating Society was organized this year, the IMiilalethic Society was smaller in membership than ever before. The advantage of the change was that the members had an opportunity to speak oftener. As pointed out by Father Spalding it is practice in public speaking that brings proficiency, and while the Sophomores were wearing off their fright by frequent appearances, the Juniors and Seniors were slowly gaining in technique. Long before the year ended almost every member could express himself with ease and effectiveness. At the final meeting of the year. Father Spalding said that he felt confident that those who had availed themselves of the advantages offered in the IMiilalethic could stand up in public and give a sjiccch in a manner creditable to a college student. Ihe officers for the school year were: Thomas Kelley, president; Alvin MacFarland, secretary: Martin Rums, secretary; and Robert Hayes, chairman. I'age One Hundred Twenty

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-public Speaking at St. Hilary’s rv fl !'! since the very earliest days of the school's history a great deal of time has been devoted each vear to the task of developing talent among the students in the practice of public speaking. The fruits of these labors appear, to mention but one instance, in the great number of able speakers whose eloquence enlivens the numerous Alumni gatherings. St. Mary’s believes, and rightly so, that if a man is able to stand on his feet and address an audience readily, forcefully, and gracefully, he has acquired an invaluable instrument for good. In fact, a man’s ability to speak well in public is the thing that distinguishes him from the ordinary run of men. It gives him a confidence in himself that comparatively few men possess. It puts him in a position which enables him to use knowledge gained in other fields to the best advantage. In a word, it prepares him to assume the responsibilities of leadership in whatever work he undertakes. During the many years of her existence, St. Mary’s has known the value and the necessity of good courses in public speaking. Hence she has sought to give her pupils every opportunity to become proficient in this art. In the classroom special courses in the fundamental principles of elocution and oratory are offered. ()utside the classroom, these courses are supplemented by the work of the Phil-alethic societies in the College department and the Junior Literary society in the High School department. Here the students are given ample opportunity to practice public speaking. Debates, open forums, and various other programs are given. In addition to such private sessions, there are held each year public debates. elocution contests, and oratorical contests, in which students of special merit arc chosen to compete for valuable prizes. In the years that have passed St. Mary’s has established an enviable reputation in the fields of forensic endeavor. Her success may he attributed to the many institutions in the school which afford the student every opportunity of developing his ability as a public speaker. Therefore, let us continue to cherish these institutions in order that the old standards mav be maintained. Page O u• Hundred Nineteen

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First Row. I.cft to Right Fr. Spalding. S. J.. McNarv. Hays. Smith. Downing. Jos. Huglu-s, I . Kcillcy. Second Ron-: McAufiffc. Yeung, York. Ilcffcrnan. (!. Morri«cy. Hoffmans. I). NIurphy. Third Row J. Smith. McGinnis. Lex, John Hughes. J. Walsh. Gassman. SlcCall. Jfresbman JDebaUttg Socictv HR Freshman Philalethic Society was instituted primarily for the purpose of relieving the congestion in the College Debating Society, thereby affording the individual members more numerous opportunities of appearing in public. It not only succeeded admirably in the accomplishment of its end. but also proved to be one of the most popular and efficient organizations in the school. About thirty members were present at the initial gathering to express their choice for governing officials. During the next eight months the society carried on its work with enthusiasm and zeal. An extensive program of debates and discussions was scheduled. Among the many questions fought out in forensic combat there were such timely and interesting topics as The Foreign War Debt, The Mexican Situation. Federal Control of Education. Negro Suffrage, Capital Punishment, and Presidential Possibilities of 1928. The activity of the Freshman Philalethic Society was by no means confined to these sessions. Two of its members qualified for the Harbaugh Debate and carried off all honors by jointly winning the decision of the judges, while one received the Washington medal presented to the best debater of the evening. In the elocution contest four of the five participants were from the Freshman society. The Society was also represented in the Ryan Oratorical contest, the Intercollegiate Constitutional Oratorical Contest, and on the Educational Week Program. rage One Hundred Twenty-one