Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1906-05-11

If there are any "Doubting Thorn
ases" who imagine that athletics
alone make up the scope If enlight-
enment of our free institutions of public
learning public schools = that
belief would have been dispelled in
attending the county declamatory con-
test held at the Grand Opera house
last evening.
That there is an unbounded interest
in our High School, which is shared
with the enthusiasts who visited here
from the other contesting cities, was
shown in manifest enthusiasm last
evening for hours before the open
ing of the opera house till long after
the announcement of the decision OF
the Judges was made at II 80 O'Clock
by Mayor Arthur Mulberger, who act
ed as master of ceremonies during the
evening and presided with much credit
to himself.
1t was shortly after II o'clock when
the last literary number on the pro-
gram ended and for the period of
fifteen minutes or more the audience
waited in great expectancy for the
announcement of the decision reached
by the four judges.
The wait was amid the class yells
of the student body of the four schools
represented in the declamatory con-
test-one that is pronounced by those
capable of Judging, to have been the
best and most enthusiastic ever held
in the county.
The interesting feature in dealing
with report on the outcome is nat
urally to impart to the readers of the
Leader this morning the decision of
the judges and result of the contest.
Therefore we will say that the county
banner again goes to Fort Atkinson,
that school having retained this honor
for the third consecutive time, which
entities the school to maintain the
prize indefinitely, thus necessitating
the offering of new banner for a
prize in declamatory honors.
The young lady to whom the honor
is due for retaining the prize is Miss
Genevieve Foote.
The second honors of the contest
went to Miss Louise Boughton of Fort
Atkinson, whose subject was Trick
Versus Trick - The third place was
captured by Miss Fluerette Hartwig
of this city, whose subject was "'The
Lost Word.''
While the Leader would not criti-
else the decision of the judges, it diff
fers somewhat as to where the hOnOrs
rightfully belonged. It would have
had William Lewancowski in second
place, or at least third with the effort
of Miss Hartwig raised notch. The
result of the decision again illustrates
to the satisfaction of the Leader that
girls are given the preference on such
occasions and the young men are rele-
gated to the shades of obscurity when
it comes to the passing around of the
honors sought.
Mr.. Lewandowski, in the opinion
of the Leader. was entitled to place,
and in his slight he nevertheless has
the sympathy of the morning paper
and it's congra atulations upon his
effort, which at least holds a place in
the estimation of his hearers. The
young man has natural oratorical tai
ent and with a continuation of effort,
a bright future is predicted for him.
He has clarion voice, good stage ap-
pearance and gestures. His only
point that shows any weakness is his
articulation.
Miss Foote, the winner of the first
honors, was justly entitled to recogni.
tion. Her effort, "The Burgundiar
Defiance was an effort entitled tt
the greatest of praise. Her stage ap
pearance was of the highest character
Her articulation was perfect. She gave
much expression to her effort. She
was the master of the situation ane
held herself in perfect control. Hel
gestures were graceful indeed. II
Miss Foote, Fort. Atkinson has {
charming Miss who reflects credit upor
the school of that place and the Lead
er predicts for her greater honor il
the district contest to be held a
Whitewater on the 11th inst.
AS to the second place, the Leadel
will say that the winner did excep
tionaily, but the subject matter, il
the opinion of the writer, was no
such as to entitle her to place. Th'
young lady put her whole heart. bod.
and soul into her effort and struck
responsive chord from the audience
which showed its delight in the wa,
the speaker depicted and brought on
the various situations. She possesse
good voice ard gave fine articula
tion. M
Miss Hariwig was a favorite wit
the audience and none would have fel