San Joaquin County CA Archives Photo Group.....Debating Teams 1916
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com May 24, 2007, 11:16 pm

Source:             1916 Tokay
Photo can be seen at:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/sanjoaquin/photos/debating274gph.jpg
Image file size: 73.9 Kb

Debate
HARRY CASSARETTO, '16

    Debate has taken a conspicuous position among the High School activities
during the present year. Immediately after the term had commenced great
enthusiasm was manifested among the students in reorganizing and in discussing
plans for the debates of 1915-1916. The officers chosen were Fern Dawson.
President; Gladys Coblentz, Vice President; Harry Cassaretto,
Secretary-Treasurer, and Miss Wright. Censor. The debate enrollment shows the
society to be the largest in the history of the school.

    During the first and second semesters students were greatly profited by the
weekly debates which preceded the interclass debates. On these occasions lower
classmen took the most prominent part, a fact which augurs well for the future
of the debating activities in Lodi. Some of the most important questions of the
day have been deliberated by the society; such as, the commission form of
government, the Philippine question and the national prohibition law.

   Early in November. Lodi decided to remain in the California Debating League
which is supervised by the University of California. We have been very
successful in the league this year remaining in it until after the first
semifinals.

   We hope that next year debating will be offered as a special course in our
school work, in order that more students may be able to participate in it and be
benefited by it.

    Many thanks are due to Miss Wright, our censor, who kindly extended her
efforts at all times to the teams and to the society; also many thanks are due
to different citizens of Lodi who willingly consented to act as judges in many
of our debates.

Stockton - Modesto. – Lodi

    On Friday, November 12th, the first of the series of interscholastic debates
was held simultaneously by three high schools—Lodi, Modesto and Stockton.

   The subject for the evening was, "Resolved, that a commission form of
government should be adopted by the state of California." Fern Dawson and Gladys
Coblentz, upholding the negative, represented Lodi at Stockton. Ruth Meissner
and Amy Boynton upholding the affirmative, discussed the question with two
debaters from Modesto at Lodi. That both Lodi teams were superior in debating
was the verdict of the judges.

    Preceding the debate, the audience enjoyed a selection by the high school
orchestra. After the debate, the judges, debaters and teachers adjourned to the
model dining room where delicious refreshments were served under the supervision
of Miss Reed.

Hughson – Lodi

    The debate on the question, "Resolved, that state regulation of public
utilities of municipalities in the United States is desirable," attracted a
large audience on Friday evening, January 14th, in the high school auditorium.
Margaret Willms and Amy Boynton supporting the affirmative represented Lodi. The
debaters from Hughson were Cora Donaldson and William Carson. Although both
teams displayed extensive knowledge on the question, a decision of two to one
was rendered in favor of Lodi. Lodi was made happy once more by receiving the
district championship.

    Immediately preceding the debate, selections by the high school orchestra
were greatly appreciated by the audience. Later in the evening, the debaters,
coaches and judges enjoyed refreshments together in our model dining room served
by the students under the supervision of Miss Stone.

Extemporaneous Debate

    The extemporaneous debate was held on the evening of February 11th in the
high school auditorium. Six high schools of the northern part of the state were
represented. The question was, "Resolved, that the army and navy of the United
States should be materially increased." The subject for debate was not known
until twenty-four hours before the discussion occurred. Fern Dawson, from Lodi,
and representatives from Oakdale and Modesto High Schools upheld the affirmative
side. Oroville, represented by an experienced debater, took first place, Lodi
claiming second honors.

    The music played by the high school orchestra was greatly appreciated by
all. After the debate, refreshments were served under the supervision of Misses
Wright and Jones.

Oroville – Lodi

    The final debate in the Northern interscholastic league in which Lodi
participated was held at Oroville High School. The question discussed was,
"Resolved, that our legislation should be shaped toward a gradual abandonment of
the protective tariff." Gladys Coblentz and Howard Remick, supporting the
affirmative, represented Lodi. Although the Lodi debaters were unsuccessful in
securing the decision, they displayed great ability in debating, and some of the
Oroville citizens expressed their opinion that the Lodi debaters were superior.

First Interclass Debate

    The first of the interclass debates occurred on Monday, February 12th, in
the auditorium. The question, "Resolved, that the telephone and the telegraph
lines should be acquired by federal government and conducted as part of the
postal system." furnished the theme for discussion. The Freshman and Sophomore
classes were participants. Dorothy Willms, Imogene Hawkins and Jack Lyons
comprising the Freshman team upheld the negative, while Ruth Meissner, Leslie
Schwimley and Waldo Porterfield represented the Sophomores. The Sophomore team
won the decision. The Freshman team displayed great ability for beginners. The
orchestra concluded the program with a selection from O. Wheeler.

Second Interclass Debate

    "That the United States should grant the Philippines independence in four
years" was the proposition discussed on March 22nd by the Sophomore and Junior
teams, the Sophomores having defeated the Freshman in the first inter-class
debate. The Sophomore team was composed of Ruth Meissner, Waldo Porterfield and
Leslie Schwimley who supported the affirmative, while the Junior team consisted
of Lena Graffigna, Lila Jahant and Helen Smith. Both teams worked very hard for
the debate but the Sophomores won the decision of the judges. The Sophomores
were jubilant over their victory in both of the interclass debates.

    Preceding the rendering of the decision, the High School orchestra
entertained the assembly with two much appreciated selections.

Final Interclass Debate

    The final interclass debate is scheduled for Thursday, May 18th. The
Sophomores and Juniors each in turn forfeited the debate to the Senior class,
neither class feeling able to give further time to this activity. The Freshman
class, however, took up the gauntlet and will meet the Seniors. The Freshman
team composed of Dorothy Willms. Kitty Benedict and Jack Lyons will support the
affirmative, while the Senior team consisting of Amy Boynton, Isabel De Young,
and Mildred Udell will uphold the negative. The question is, "Resolved, that
child labor should be regulated by the national government, constitutionality
granted." Both sides have been faithfully preparing for the debate, and the
whole school is looking forward with interest to the debate, which is to decide
the school championship.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Tokay 1916
Published Annually Under the Auspices
of the
SENIOR CLASS OF LODI UNION HIGH SCHOOL
Lodi, California

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/sanjoaquin/photos/debating274gph.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/

File size: 7.9 Kb