Victoria High School - Victorian Yearbook (Edmonton, Alberta Canada)

Page 16 text:

18 Victoria High School THE LITERARY SOCIETY CJlJj HE newly appointed Students’ Union Executive of 1929-30 found J1L itself supplied with abundant material with which to put on the Lits. The Literary Society used the talent in the school to such great advantage that during the whole term it has kept its programs well up to the standard set for it in past years. In fact the Lits this year have been said to be the best in the history of the school. Once again Vic has been able to produce many musical artists who proved themselves capable of giving their audiences real enjoyment. The vocalists, Enid Surrey, a silver medalist, and Ed Nepstad, a rising marvel, favored us with a number of songs. Avenir Nizoff and Frank Dunk gave piano solos at the Lits. Nizoff rendered mostly classical selec¬ tions, while Dunk entertained us with jazz. Judging from the applause given by the listeners, these numbers were greatly appreciated. The orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Baker, presented selections at every Lit. The Glee Club also took an active part. Under the supervi¬ sion and coaching of Mr. Luck it proved its ability to do great things. As well as contributing to nearly every program, it lead the school in community singing at Christmas. The club later developed a double male quartet which assisted in later entertainments. The dramatic ability of the student body was demonstrated in the several short skits that were put on during the year. Those who took part in these were Betty Ingram, Margaret Moore, Deryck Berry, Cameron Grant, and Jim McIntosh. One of the most highly appreciated skits was a pantomime called “Meller-Drammer,” in which a large number of stu¬ dents took part. The members of the cast of this are too numerous to be mentioned separately. Another rather different feature was a tap dance presented by Dorothy Murray and Ted Bishop. This pair performed at two of the Lits and were well appreciated by the audience. Of a more serious type was the French play, coached by Miss Teskey. The players were Enid Surrey, Avenir Nizoff, Edward Greene, Glen Short- liffe, Louis Rudolph, Gertrude Reichert, Leslie Mullett and Roy Stauffer. These young people astounded their hearers with their ability to converse in French. We fear it may have had a somewhat discouraging effect on some of those who are not quite as good as they might be in this subject. Debating took a large part in the programs this year. A large number of enthusiastic debaters thrilled their listeners with their stirring speeches. We were also permitted to hear the finals of the eliminations for the oratorical contest. Margaret MacMillan, speaking on “Disarmament,” and Glen Shortliffe, speaking on “The Way to Peace,” entertained us with some real oratory. Probably the most popular presentation of the year, however, was the “Beauty Contest,” put on at the last Lit. This was won by “Hattie Hob¬ bema” from Hobbema, played by Jimmy Walker, and “Lettie Loosebeam” from Leduc, played by Ronald McClung. These two boys deserve great praise for their skill in the art of applying make-up. The Ship of State was read at each Lit.

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Year Book 17 THE EXECUTIVE Behind every successful organization there must lie a governing body. Vic has a governing body in the form of the Students’ Union Executive, which is formed on the same principle as the Alberta Legislature, repre¬ sentatives being sent from each room. The Executive deals with all things which in any way relate to the students, such as the arranging of the clubs and societies within the school, and the upkeep of the tennis courts, assem¬ bly hall, library, etc. After the general elections, the representatives decide on the officers for the various departments, and others are added to the Executive to fill positions for which they are suited. The Union thus consists of a cabinet of the heads of the departments and a council of room representatives not elected to cabinet positions. The election results were as follows: President Vice-President Secretary-Treasurer Boys’ Athletic Rep. Girls’ Athletic Rep. Dramatic Rep. Editor Assistant Editor Academic Rep. Debating Rep. Bob Scott Deryck Berry Helen Glockzin Frank Richard Margaret Moore Theo. Cairns Jim McIntosh Ted Bishop Peggy Gee William Love Music Rep. - - Olivena White Librarians - Isabel Macdonald, Kay Gimblett The following held seats in the Coun¬ cil: Margaret Rowsell, Claxton Burton, Doris Johnson, Lawrence Thompson, Eileen Haire, Clifford Willetts, Peggy Aitken, Ronald Mullett, Lyle Carscad- den, Theo. Neilans, Adelle Burgess, Vincent McLean, Jack Gillis. THE GLEE CLUB HP ARLY this year, under the able direction of Mr. Luck, the Glee Club 111 O organized and got away to a good start. Every Lit, except the last, was graced with their presence, and their numbers were received with enthusiasm by the students. Around Christmas time, due to the efforts of Frank Marr, a double male quartet was formed, and Mr. Luck again took the responsibility of coaching it. The members of this group formed the principals in the Glee Club Operetta which is mentioned again in this book. Glen Shortliffe and Ed Nepstad hung on to the high notes of the first tenor; Bill Craig and Jack Robson carried the melody; Jim Walker and Llew MacKenzie played first bass; and Frank Marr and Bob Scott did the ground story work with their deep second bass. The fair sex was noticed to be slightly in evidence, probably due to the bashful and retiring nature of the Vic boys. The following members attended regularly: Joy Speer, Margaret Smith, Dorothy Banks, Marjorie Parsons, Margaret Carswell, Pauline Melnyk, Edith Sykes, Jean Rea, Ena May, Audrey Barker, Betty Ingram, Dorothy Murray, Maxine McMillan, Esther Berg, Catherine Deeton, and Margaret Ramsey.

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Year Book 19 ORCHESTRA Leslie Mullet, Jesse White, Bill Speer, Peter Pullishy, Charles Bridges, Aubrey Arthur. Louise Neveczis, Vera Pike, Mr. Baker, Kathleen Mayhew, Olivena White. Don Thom, Harriet Birch, Don Burton. THE ORCHESTRA 0 I HE orchestra has completed another successful year and, aside from IL contributing much to the school as a whole, has itself derived a great deal of benefit from the weekly practices. Although the attendance was not always one hundred per cent it was generally very good. Under the capable leadership of Mr. Baker, the group has accomplished wonders in the development of technique and interpretation of music. At each Lit pleasing selections were presented, some of a lighter vein, including waltzes, marches and novelty numbers, while others were more classical. Both types were greatly appreciated by the audience. On the night of the Inter-grade Plays, the orchestra rendered several numbers between the acts, and. at another date, four of the members played for dancing at the athletic party. Lastly, at one of the most important events of the term—the year plays—the musicians supplied appropriate music during the intermission. In fact we believe that the orchestra has demonstrated the truth of the old adage “Music hath charms,” and many savage breasts have been soothed into complete docility, which has, we hope, been a source of satis¬ faction to the teaching staff.