The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1909-03-19
A CHANCE FOR A MEDAL
Enterprising Citizens Offer In
ducements for Scholars
to Work For.
A LARGE SUBJECT TO HANDLE
The Competitors Asked to Write
On the "Opportunities of
Washington"

There is nothing like stimulating the
young to accomplishment, and any sug-
gestion with that praiseworthy object
in view is worthy of commendation and
applause. Two active and apprecia-
tive citizens Of Oroville-active in per-
formance wherever the betterment of
town and its people are involved, and
appreciative of effort and performance
of others-Mayor E. A. McMahan and
Doc. w. B. Sexson, inaugurateda a plan
last year to arouse rivalry and emula-
tion among the scholars of the public
school in the field of literary effort,
and the study Of local color, conditions
and surroundings. A subject was Sc
lected upon which the scholars were
invited to write essays, and prizes Of
fered for the best. The efforts of the
contestants were submitted to COM
mittee, and that committee passed up
on their merits. At the close of the
school, with its accompanying enter
tainment, the names of the successful
composers were given out, and the
essays read by the authors. The re-
suit was far beyond the expectation of
the promoters of the idea, and the
large audience before which the read
ings took place was delighted with the
evidence of literary ability displayed
in the construction of the articles and
the information contained therein.
made an exhaustive study of the SUBJ
ject treated, had taken great pains in
choice of expression, and the work
gave evidence of labor, care, thought
and research. So many of the essays
were above mediocrity that the judges
found it difficult task to pronounce a
verdict.
The experiment was SO much of a
success last year that Messrs. McMa-
han and Sexson have decided to renew
the proposition this year, and as stim-
ulus to effort three medals are to the
presented as mementos for those who
win out in the emprise. The design OF
the medals is circular, about the size
of half dollar. 1t will be of gold,
with black enameled fesse. Around
the inside edge will be the words "Op-
portunities of Washington" with the
letters SO. S." Oroville school, and
the date "O9," beneath. They will be
fitted up with rings, and can be worn
as locket or charm. There will be
three of those medals similar in char
acter, but graduated as to size.
The subject upon which the child
ren will be called to write is "OppOr-
tunities of Washington" This is a
theme teeming with possibilities OF
expansion and elaboration. Indeed, a
volume could be written on the sub,
ject, and then much would be left un-
told. While covering the state as a
whole, the treatment could be given a
local application, and then the materi
al would be almost inexlIaustitle
Judges are to be appointed later te
make selection of the three best o.
the articles submitted. Following the
plan inaugurated last year the success
full candidates will be expected to reat
their productions at the close of school
There still remains couple of months
in which to prepare copy, by if we are
permitted to offer suggestion our ad
vice to those who contemplate enter
ing the lists is to get to work early
and spend more time revising and cor
recting than is given to the body of thu
article itself. Going over such wOrl
again and again one finds points tina
can be improved and strengthened
With such pains, even if you are no
among the winners, the efforts applie'
will be found of great benefit, and viii
help to win out in some future contest
ADDITIONAL LOCALS.
Daniel NJ. Burge, of Havillah, wa