The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-01-29
EDUCATIONAL COLUMN.
BY Mabel Horner, County supt.

IN Splle Ol Inc AOduS duu
the winterish weather a good audi
nece greeted the young people who
represented their respective town
ships in the declamatory and spell
ing contests last Saturday afternoon.
We believe that those who attended
were interested throughout the pro-
gram. Only one boy, Raymond Haz-
let, appeared to enter the rOpe-ty-
ing contest, but he went to work
with good will to make two loop
halter with crown knot and end
splice. He finished the work in ten
minutes. In his practice work he
has made the halter in six minutes. \
The declamatory contest resulted in
Doyle Brown of Center township,
winning first place, Dora Manchester
of New Buda, second, and Lois Smith
of Franklin third. In the spelling
match. Margaret Aten of High Point
won first place and Genevieve Fogle-
man of Decatur second. Miss Maude
Slower and Miss Winnie Shira both
of Eden township, tied for the prize
offered by Hursts to the teacher
whose school should win the greatest
number of premiums Miss Laura
Hacker of Fairview, Franklin town
ship secured the second place.
Hon. Heman c. Smith of Lamont,
awarded the prizes offered by the De-
catur County Historical Society.
They were as follows:
Story of Pioneer Life" first prize
IS, Ward Stanford of Eden Center;
second 81, Nina Winner of Ever
green, Fayette township.
History of -- Township
School," first prize SO. Louie Gam
mon, East Eden, second 50, Susie
Heasley, Brenizer school, Fayette
township.
History of Decatur County Town
Schools single entry, Dewey Long
of Leon.
We greatly appreciate the action
of the Historical Society in putting
before the young people an incentive
to work in research and composition.
We believe the work of the schools
and of the society will be mutually
strengthened by such a course.
The premiums won in the school
exhibit were awarded by Capt. ]. D.
Brown, president of the Leon school
board Capt. Brown expressed his
appreciation and approval of the ex-
hibit and the contest, encouraging
the boys and girls to continually
strive for better things as the years
60 by.
The results of the contest and ex-
hibit are gratifying. The spirit of
good will that prevails among the |
pupils and teachers who have been |
contending for honors, is especially |
to be commended.
This year single entries in any
class of the school exhibit we're CIV
en- both first and second premiums.
This we understand is not custom
airy in county and state fairs, and
will not be done next year. We had
a special motive in following this
course this year. We hoped by this
means to impress the boys and girls
who did not enter work in the exhib- |
it, with the fact that they were al
lowing others to carry of honors
which they might have shared. We
have good reason to believe that the
course has been effective. and we
hope for a larger and better exhibit
next year.
We are planning now for Deca-
tur county exhibit at the State Fair
next August. Why not? Teachers
will please have this in view during |
the year, and at the close of the !
spring term bring in the best of the
work for entrance at the fair.
And now one more word in regard !
to exhibits. and we will allow the |
subject to rest for a while. If right !
ly conducted the preparation OF
school work for an exhibit should !
w. ol1 ~ nj
drance to the general welfare and
constant, day by day and week by |
1t should develop higher ideals of |
work and life and should lead to-
ward that perfection which comes
only through the striving to make
the best better.
do it better!"
Letting we'll enough alone never
raised salary or received a better
position.
do it better!.'
And what was we'll enough yester-
day is poor enough to day.
do it better!"
Rescue that daily task from the
nav of dull routine.
do it better!"
Seek out that automatic act or
habit.
do it better!"
Put another hour on the task we'll :
done.
do it better!"
Strive not to equal yesterdays !,
work-strive to surpass it!
do it better!"
The Oldest Horse Dies.