The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-03-17
HIGH SCHOOL DECLAMATORY CON
TEST.

TEST
Milton Obtains First Place, EdgertOn Sec
Ond and Milton Junction Third.
The Rock River Valley League held
its annual declamatory contest at Royal
hall Tuesday evening and claimed the
attendance of the largest gathering of
high school students ever seen in Edger-
ton. A delegation of nearly two hun
dred came down from Stoughton on the
four o'clock train and this was supple
mented by as many more from Milton
and Milton junction arriving on the
evening train. Every seat in the hall
was sold and every inch of standing
room taken long before the time of COM
mencing the exercises, so that the box
Office was closed and admission refused
to late corners. Inside the hall little less
than pandimonium reigned for time
while the class spirit of the different del
egations found expression in school yells,
songs, etc. Prof. Clark, president of the
league, presided, introducing the follow
ing program:
MILTON.
'The Imp and the Author -. Nina Babcock
'The Heart of Old Hickory. Earle Arlington
STOUGHTON.
1.-THE New South" Burns Severson
'The Soul of the Violin ....... Georgia Ausse
MILTON JUNCTION.
In flOT1ua" ........... $500. Nan winch
'The Land of Kanana". Gertrude Livingston
BRODHEAD.
sally AIMS Experience Edith Roller
'Olu H1ckry ................. tanny dalmSOn
EDGERTON.
THE Lie ........ ............ Myrtle Maltpress
commencement" ........... Hazel KOosch
The music of the evening was furnish
ed by the Arion orchestra and solos by
Miss Edith Maltpress and Mr.. G. w.
Raymond. The judges in the contest
were Miss Ada WEIGH of Monroe, Prin.
J. T. Haight of Cambridge and Miss
Estella Hayden of the Whitewater Nor
NAL. The contestants we're supposed to
represent the best talent in each of the
high schools composing the league, be-
ing determined by local contests. In
their markings the judges took into con-
sideration the expression, gestures and
style in delivery, basing them as per-
centages. The decision was most anx-
iously awaited and when announced was
greeted with loud applause. The first
place was awarded to Earle Arlington of
Milton; second to Myrtle Maltpress of
Edgerton, and third to Gertrude Living
ston of Milton Junction. We learn that
the estimates of the judges varied great
ly and the rank given the speakers did
not place the winner in first place in any
of the Individual markings. For in
stance, Myrtle Maltpress was given first
in one Of the markings, but in the others
her rank was placed so low that her po-
sition was second The winner of first
place, while not given first rank by any
of the judges, had the best average
rank. and therefore under the rule was
entitled to the $40 prize offered by the
league. The banner the coming year
goes to the Milton high school, and Earle
Arlington and Myrtle Maltpress will rep,
resent the league at the district contest
to be held later at Whitewater.
While the decision may bring some
disappointments to the schools repre-
sented in the league, it is accepted as
fair and impartial verdict. A generous,
good natured rivalry promotes a spirit
that is commendable in the high schools
of this locality and stimulates them to
try and achieve honors in declamatory
contests.