The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-06-19
SPEAKING OF
| MUCH MERIT
-
Katherine Brown and
Doris G, lrke Received
spauld; Prizes for Girls
GoRIy I C. REARDoN
AN FRANK H. WELLS
Awarded Boys Prizes With
Honorable Mention to
Aldo c.. Poletti

Speaking Of much merit characterized
the annual prize speaking contest OF
Spaulding high school at the opera house
last evening, and the thousand and more
people who attended were pleased with
the efforts of the eight young speakers.
The four young men, naturally enough,
chose as vehicles for their oratorical test
some selections having to do with war,
while the young ladies selected narrative
TO display their abilities.
The Judges, who were Bennett G. Doug
lass and Clyde NJ. Hill of the state edu-
cational department at Montpelier and
Attorney Fred +. Gleason of the same
city, announced that they had had con
siderable difficulty in reaching decision
but that their Judgment awarded the
first prize for young ladies to Katherine
Claire Brown, the second for young ladies
| to Doris Geneveve Burke, the first prize
| for young men to Gordon Chilson Rear
don, the second for young men to Frank
| Rowland Wells and honorable mention
to Aldo Charles Poletti.
| Several numbers of music were inter-
spersed through the program, the high
school glee club, under the direction of
Miss Wallace, the supervisor, and with
Miss Rachel Robinson as accompanist,
rendering Eichberg's "To Thee Coun
try" Strauss "Roses from the South'
and Verdi's "Triumphal March," and the
high school orchestra playing Herbert's
Whispering Willows at the opening of
the entertainment and also furnishing
music while the judges were preparing
their decision. The music was well given
and was much appreciated.
0reste Emil Gianni, the first speaker of
the evening, declaimed ''The Struggle Be-
tween Two Worlds" and his presentation
was marked by the vigor of his express
sion as well as of his gestures. Doris G.
Burkes happy choice was Tarkington's
Jane" and the whimsical little selection
was so well given and the impersona-
tions so well taken that the second prize
was awarded her by the judges.
Speaking with remarkable clearness of
enunciation and in well modulated voice,
Frank II. Wells recited Address to
Fighters of France" 1t was a good eff
fort and it struck the judges so favorably
that they awarded the second prize for
young men to the speaker.
Following a selection by the glee club,
c. Brown recited the dramatic
piece, "The Fall of Pemberton Mill"
The narrative is full of telling dramatic
periods, and Miss Brown succeeded in
bringing them out so well that the judges
decided upon her as the winner of first
,rize for the young ladies.
Gordon c. Reardon's Interpretation Of
Wilson's "The Reply to the Pope was
intelligent, and naturally good voice
,lso stood him in good stead, the com
,ination serving to bring him the first
ward for the young men. Miss Mildred
lillian Lander had the somewhat lone
tory of Miss Boke" from Harrington
nd she showed good ability at story
elling, her recital being followed with
lose interest throughout and winning
er much approval.
Perhaps the youngest speaker of the
vening was Aldo c. Poletti freshman
a knickerbockers, whose voice has not
ct reached the firm qualities but who,
evertheless, gave indication of possess
lg much oratorical ability. Though only
ecently recovered from an operation for
ppendicitis, the young man acquitted
imself meritoriously and certainly
armed the honorable mention that was
iven ihm. Added to an easy stage
resence he had the fire and verve which
old attention.
Miss Evelen Cecilia Bruya was the last
,eaker on the program, her number be-
q s'Sunshine Johnson a difiicult' piece
give because of its marked transition
dialect from commonplace English to
,gro lingo. Miss Bruya's gestures were
seeful and her stage presence was good.
There was a slight delay in the an
of the decision of the judges,
I'd the high school orchestra filled in
e interval with snappy music, showing
at it has been making considerable
ogress The entire program was
rough in less than two hours, much in
ntrast to some long drawn out prize
eaking contests.
Other Events on the Program.
Spaulding's commencement program
ntinues tonight with the alumni ball
the assembly hall in the Spsulding
lding Tomorrow afternoon class day
ercises are to be held in the opera
use and tomorrow evening the alumni
1ner will be held at Hotel Barre. The
ercises of the week will close with the
iduation program at the opera house
iday evening, when Prof. Frederick
PIPER of the University of Vermont
Il give an address.