The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-05-03
PUBLIC SCHOOL
ATHLETIC EVENT
GEORGE HoENcK, ONE or THE
BEST KNOWN ATHLETES IN.
STATE REVIEWS THE SPLEEN
DID EXHIBITION FOR READERS
OF THE FORUM.

The following account of the public
school gymnastic carnival. held last
evening at the Agassiz school was
written for Forum readers by George
Hoenck Of the firm of Joseph &
Hoenck. Mr.. Hoenck is one OF the
best known athletes in the northwest.
being especially expert in gymnasium
work and his account of the carnival,
which he witnessed, should be Of more
than usual interest:
Oneiof the largest and most enthu-
siastic audiences that ever witnessed
a ~gymnastic exhibition in the city
gathered at the Agassiz school gym
nasium last night to witness the x
hibition given by the children of the
public schools of the city of Far
go.
AT 7:3O O'clock the programme,
under the direction of the physical
director of schools, Professor Mclean,
started with a group of little tots from
the first grades who gave a calisthenic
drill which was carried out with a
precision that was remarkable for
such children, nj was greatly ap-
plauded.
This drill was followed by many
interesting numbers by the different
classes of the various schools and con-
sisted of 1calisthenic and wand drills,
fancy and folk dancing, fencing drills,
wrestling. tumbling, apparatus work,
and pyramids, all of which were
executed with an alertness and precis-
ion that was most pleasing and was
greatly enjoyed by the enthusiastic
audience.
The programme carried out under
the direction Of Professor Mclean, by
the children, showed what remarkable
progress has been made in that de-
partment of the work of the public
schools and was given as an exhibit
ton of what a few children or classes
have been taught but was a demon
stratiot1 of the regular work hat all
the children in the schools are getting
and which is SO necessary to the,
health and we'll being OF the child. Ir
introducing this work, both in and out
Of doors, it has been the aim of Super
intendent Hoover to make the child
like its school work, as well as lay a
foundation for healthy men and
women and the great enthusiasm
shown by the large audience proved
that there was a great many happy
fathers and mothers present who saw
their children perform and were well
pleased with the work. A great deal
of credit is due to Professor Mclean
for the excellent showing made by the
boys from the Agassiz school in their
pyramids. 1t was wonderful to see
how well each boy knew his place in
the forty odd pyramids, some of which
We're very difficult and beautiful and
were greatly applauded.
Both the work on the pyramids, and
the mat and tumbling work, showed
that much had been accomplished
1 1ncTifn 41an fank ~ +In4. ~.y-.r ~ Z, ~o
is almost bear of apparatus, and
doubtless a great deal more could be
accomplished if the necessary APP
paratus could be installed. Here is a
chance for some public spirited
citizen to do good work by being
instrumental in furnishing each school
with some gymnastic apparatus.
That the girls are not being over
looked in this systematic physical
training was shown in the excellent
drills, folk dances, and fencing drills,
girls classes. These exhibitions show
ed that Professor Mclean chose the
right kind of exercises for the girls,
those which would be beneficial in
E~cultivating grace and strength, and at
the sanle prove enjoyable and attrac-
tive to the participants.
1t is the intention of superintendent
Hoover n MI. Mclean to carry on
this, work out of doors, as soon as the
weather will permit, and many inter-
esting and pleasing forms of games,
gymnastic and athletic work will be
carried on during the summer months.
The beautiful banners that were
won in the holiday and February
athletic tournament by the different
classes were awarded last night by
Superintendent Hoover.