University of Nebraska Kearney - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Kearney, NE)

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Learn French First Row: Miss Hosic, T. Berg, E. Burke, L. Calhoun, V. Davis, L. Hanthorn. Second Row: D. Huffstutter, L. Konecky, M. Unit, J, Mallory, B. Martin, R. Nelson. Third Row: M. Spongberg, M. Thornton, D. VanZandt, F. Barge. If one were to visit a meeting of Le Cercle Francois, he might find the members active- ly engaged in some lively' French game such as Qui Suis-Je?' which is a French adaptation of Who Am I?”, or maybe their own French version of Upset the Fruit Bas- ket. Although they may sound rather childish, it certainly challenges the begin- ner's knowledge when he is required to have a French word or sentence at the tip of his tongue so he may answer when called upon. The French Club, which meets the second Tuesday of each month, aims to further in- terest in the French language among begin- ning students, and to facilitate the use of that language. At several of the meetings, the students gave original skits, readings, and stories for the enjoyment of the other members. In January, Dallas Donaly conducted a very clever meeting. Between spasms of laughter, the group harmonized on Frere Jacques, Clair de Lune, and Alouette, and played several French games. The March meeting of Le Cercle Francois was held with the members of Beta Pi Theta, the national honorary French society which organized Le Cercle Francois several years ago. At this meeting the two groups enjoyed a film about Paris which Miss Alma Hosic, sponsor of both organizations, had secured. In keeping with the modern trend—that we must eat wherever we chance to go—Le Cercle Francois decrees that there shall be refreshments after each meeting. Page 29

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Sincerity, Truth, and Design is the motto of Sigma Tau Delta and its purpose is to promote interest in the reading and writing of good literature. The members read orig- inal essays, poems, stories, and sketches at each meeting. In order to become a member of this or- ganization, a student must have a high scholastic average, the ability to write, the desire to read good literature, and the unan- imous vote of the active members. Merely becoming a member of the organization does not conclude the activities of the individual, for this is but the first of ten degrees that may be obtained. Only four of these de- grees, however, are open to undergraduates. Rising from a lower to a higher degree is ac- complished by having original material pub- lished in reputable magazines and newspa- pers. The National Headquarters are located at Wayne, Nebraska, and it is there that the National magazine, THE RECTANGLE, is published. Each year Xi Beta chapter sponsors the Freshman Essay contest, and awards the Sigma Tau Delta Medal to the freshman who writes the best familiar essay. The C. T. Ry- an Freshman Medal goes to the second place winner in the contests. These two essays, together with other original material submitted by college students, are published in THE ANTLER, a literary magazine which is sponsored by the local chapter of the or- ganization. Highlights of the year's meetings were the annual formal Christmas dinner held at the Men's Hall where Mr. Ryan spoke of the accomplishments of Sigma Tau Delta and Miss Crawford read original creative work; the second semester initiation held at the home of Miss Frances Hancock where Miss Ruth Kelly reviewed Edna Ferber's auto- biography, A Peculiar Treasure, and Mar- jorie Swan became a member of the organ- ization and then came the climax of the year's activities—an impressive meeting in May where Mr. and Mrs. Ryan and Zelda Jeanne entertained the members and spon- sors at breakfast at their home. Miss Bernice Grosh of Kearney has been the president of Sigma Tau Delta this year. Our Writers First Row: Mr. Ryan, Mi Crawford, Mi Kelly, Mr . Davi», Mr. Davi . D. Best. Second Row: E. Bass, H. Devine, B. Grosh, F. Hancock, D. Jepsen. A. Luddcn. Third Row: N. Robertson, J. Sullivan, L. Sutherland, M. Swan, M. Thornton. Page 28

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Pi Iota chapter of Beta Pi Theta, a national honorary French fraternity, was organized in November, 1930, at Kearney, Nebraska, by Miss Louise Stone, a member of the National Council, for the purpose of furthering the cause of French culture, French literature, and the language itself, on our campus. The minimum scholarship in requirements for membership are set by the National Council, and, in addition to these, the candi- date must have full sophomore ranking and must receive the unanimous vote of the chapter. New members this year include: Elda Marie Drake, Charlene Hansen, Dale Henderson, Arthur Kennedy, James Harding, Ruth Nicholas, John Ludden, and Florence Esther Williams. Each new member is re- quired to learn a French poem of at least sixteen lines and to write a French theme of five hundred words. During the initiation, which by the way was held on Halloween, the candidates were led down a flight of stairs by the aid of a gloved hand which turned out to be Addah Jane Ludden's. Af- ter the formal initiation service, a business meeting was conducted by Elizabeth Whit- nack, president. Julia De Young, an honor- ary member, led the group in a number of French songs. The hostess and sponsor, Miss Hosic, then served doughnuts and cider to her guests. Each spring the members of Beta Pi Theta publish a newspaper covering the events of the year. In addition to this local paper, the members each year enter the national con- test which is sponsored by Beta Pi Theta. Last spring, Miss Julia De Young received a ring from the fraternity for having the high- est scholastic average and in recognition of some French plays she had written for chil- dren. Other officers for this year are: Ingrid Larson, vice-president; George Mitchell, treasurer; Frances Bennett, recording secre- tary; and Addah Jane Ludden, correspond- ing secretary. French First Row: Miss Hosic, F. Bennett, E. Drake, C. Hansen, J. Harding, D. Henderson. Second Row: I, Larson, A. Ludden, J. Ludden, G. Mathews, G. Mitchell, R. Nicholas, E. Whitnack. Page 30