Townsend Harris High School - Crimson Gold Yearbook (Flushing, NY)

Page 48 text:

451 THE HARRIS ANNUAL offered to study and carry out to the minutest detail the rules and regulations of the civil court, and to show the students of Townsend Harris Hall the achievements of the Harris Debating Society. Now, having defeated the debating teams of both the Wfebb and the Groesbeck, the members of the Harris naturally turned to clubs in other schools as possible rivals. To this end, they asked Professor Sim's permission to represent Townsend Harris in interscholastic de- bates. Professor Sim referred them to the Athletic Association, which organization refused the request, saying that any society might engage in such debates, but not in the name of the School. However, the Harris found it impossible to arrange a debate with any other school, being met with one excuse after the other, from every institution it challenged. The Harris Debating Society has reached the climax of its exist- ence. Its membership totals seventy, the greatest number in the history of any of the school's organizations, save, of course, the Athletic Association. The present officers are: Pres., VVilfred T. Cohen Vice-President, Lionel Auster. Secretary, NVilliam Jaffe. Treasurer, Goldfarb. Critic, lsidore M. Cohen. These will remain in otiice until the end of the term. The club receives and welcomes visitors every Friday afternoon:

Page 47 text:

NINETEEN-THIRTEEN-FOURTEHN 43 is largely due to his past efforts that the Harris maintains her present prominent position. Much credit is due Mr. Schulz for rehearsing and coaching the debating teams, and deep gratitude for extricating the society froin many of the ditliculties which at lirst confronted her. The club deeply appreciates his past work, and hopes he will continue in his capacity of advisor. HARRIS DEBATING SOClETY But not only did the Harris win school-wide popularity, it also progressed rapidly in membership. Under the direction of Mr. Schulz at first, and then through the efforts of the members alone, a thorough system was inaugurated, whereby the greatest possible beneht was derived from the practice of writing and of oratory. The members would write stories, poems, essays, speeches, etc., and deliver them before the society, after which a critic, an expert member elected by the students, would criticize them. But what they derived most ben- etit from was practice of debate, for which the Club was most noted. Almost every week they held discussions upon some current topic of national, civil, economic, or sociological importance. Thus they learned not only the art and science of debate, but also how to get at the root of important public questions and intelligently discuss them. At the close of each semester, they held a moot-court for the benefit of the institution in general, in which an opportunity was

Page 49 text:

NINETEEN-THIRTEEN-FOURTEEN 45 E ,----: -- k f ,QI .-..x-.-,-. .. .f....: T ..,.' l.,s.,,,l?.-S,,.,.f,y,-W ,..,,.:,,, , ,.,..,. A- s- ql ' H , V T , 'aj E A up i Vg 1 l y , i , T YW Mi lli , A . . i.ri 1' - J r. W 1, ,I T: 3 V ,,g',,,,,,gimme-L,.n,,A,,Q.,..V.i.,,a,g-,, ,,h,, ru....,,,i,,,,,,,,,,,,,4,,,..,s,MQ,,i.,J,i ..,,1 Q..i.s,g,a,,..:im,1l,i.,MH,.i.ini..,.,,QQ.,.i.,,.i, lf- ff rf -'fl the beffinnin of the Fall term of 1912 one of the most i ' 'Q . g. . . . Iprominenzf associations of Harris, the Quill Club, was or- , ganized. A few fellows, who had a talent for writing which 'they were- desirous of improving, and who were supported 'if by Dr. Friedland, of the English department, conceived the idea of forming a society whose purpose, as indicated by the name. was to be writing. After a little deliberation, the students suddenly announced the organization of a new club-the uQuill. The response of the school was instantaneous. The few pioneers were speedily joined by fifteen or twenty young men, students who were already known for brilliancy in composition work. This impetus established the future of the society, the Quill Club had become a reality. From that time on the club progressed steadily. Term after term it has proceeded unwaveringly forward,,spreading its benefits over all those embryo Shakespeares who had wisdom enough to be- come members. Although the original scope of the club had only included the writ- ing of compositions, the members soon tired of this narrow field and ventured out into the more glorious realm of short-story writing. This fascinating form of literature grew very popular, and, in order to fully satisfy the boys' fondness for the short story and, at the same time, instruct them, Dr. Friedland decided to give a little talk each week upon this subject. These talks were immensely popular with the members and, as a result, the prestige of the club grew by leaps and bounds. From the short story point the work of the club expanded further and embraced higher forms of literature. From time to time, little gems of poetry from such men as Schneider and Forgione, have appeared and much favorable criticism was inspired as a result. The increasing popularity of moving pictures caused the writing of many scenarios which were acknowledged to be fully as good as some of the leading thrillers Not a few full-sized plays have appeared, and, while they never approached a possibility of being staged, still showed talent with a promising future. The Quill Club has steadily progressed since its founding and is in no frenzied struggle for existence. But practice makes perfect and it can only work to the welfare of a literary aspirant to become a member of this club for he will learn how to write in the only way- by writing.