Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-02
vfro9ua High School Notes.

On Friday evening last occurred the
oratorical contest Of members of the
third and fourth years. The contest.
ants showed earnes, ness and determine
ton in their work from the start and
although the rivalry was strong the best
OF feeling VAS maintained. The Judges
marked on general effect, voice and
articulation. The judges awarded the
prize In the oratorical division to Roy
Williams, in the declamatory division,
first, to Gerhard Fortney, second, to
Julia Otteson. The excellent attention
and interest OF the audience during the
evening indicated the appreciation of
the excellent effort of the speakers and
the value OF the training in public
speaking. We are glad to be able to
publish the following opinions on the
value of such contests as an educational
factor:
EARL NJ. RoGERss 1t affords me great
pleasure to express my appreciation of the
nigh school entertainment in the Congrega-
monal church. Friday evening, January 2s
Inc teachers and pupils are entitled to much
| praise for the very creditable exhibition.
! nope that line may be encouraged.
/ Lucy R. DAWSON: The importance of the
work done In the oratorical and debatinp
societies OF our schools can not be over esti-
mated. 1t gives most valuable training to
the future statesman or stateswoman. am
very, glad such work Is receiving more atten-
ton In our schools. Such contests as were in
| cited by the liberal prizes offered by our es-
teemed friend of the schools Gen E. Nj
Rogers are certainly very beneficial to the
work: His generosity is worthy of the heart :
lest thanks of both the high school and its
| friends.
u w. GRAVES; | was agreeably surprised
at the uniform excellence of the students
efforts In the evolutionary exercises on Fri
day night. In my judgment the program
thus inaugurated should be continued during
the winter. 1t must prove of great benefit to
the participants. DCcl:' Iatory and orator.
cal drlll OF this kind is not only valuable in
Itself but, which is of vastly more import =
| ance, 1t cultivates taste for good literature
JACKSON SILBAUGH: l was very much
pleased with the entertainment given at thu
! church Friday evening. The performance
OF each was credit to the school as we'll as
those participating. The Importance of this
feature OF an education il becoming more
recognized in all institutions of learning, ana
ne boy or girl who does nor get start in
this line of work before reachfng college will
be seriously handicapped at the start.
FREDERICK WILKINS: To learn how to
think-to express that thought in pure En-
gllsh and in voice attuned-to convey ones
meaning accurately and promptly to the
llstener-to persuade or convince. by virtue
or the charm of manner and unaffected sin
certify in the speaker, is no small part in the
mission or the common school. On Friday
evening last the pupils of our high school
demonstrated the value and thoroughness
of the work done In TIE lately organized liter
airy department The fruits OF that brief
e19rt viii surely be request from parents
/ to the school board that the Temporary or
ganization of this department be made per-
manent and part of the cirriculum-not
merely incidental thereto,