Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-04-09
ANNUAL PRIZE ESSAY
CONTEST TO Be HELD
". G. T. L. SUBJECTS TO INCLUDE
TOBACCO AS WELL AS IN
TOXICANTS.

The annual w. c. T. U. prize essay
contest is now receiving the attention
of the pupils of the city schools. The
contest this year varies from that OF
former years, in that pupils may have
the choice of writing an essay or
making a poster The subjects deal
with the moral and physical effects OF
alcohol and tobacco.
The following statement is made by
Mrs. Lou G. Diven. superintendent Of
the Washington State Travelling
Library.
"The use of alcohol and of tobacco
has for a long period of time engen-
dered much discussion. Opinions
vary widely as to the effects of their
uses upon the physical body and upon
ideals, instincts, will power. and SELF
control. There can be no question
that intelligent study Of the subject
must result in benefits to young
people. 1t is wise and wholesome
mental discipline to weigh evidence
and argument upon any vital disputed
question.
"The growing habit of the use of
tobacco among young girls and young
boys should be thoroughly studied by
those who may be unusually tempted
to form useless and harmful habits.
"The State Travelling Library has
material which may be secured by
anyone who wishes heleps in the
study Of the subject"
The general idea prevails that since
we have the eighteenth amendment
that our young people need not study
the effects Of alcohol, but the w. c.
T. U. believes that a subject that has
engendered so much discussion should
be carefully studied by our pupils in
the schools and we have state law
which requires definite temperance
instruction.
The alarming increase in the use
OF tobacco by the young people leads
thinking people to believe it is time
to give much thought to an intelligent
study of the effects of tobacco on
young people and possibly save some
from acquiring wasteful and harmful
habits which in later life are difficult
to break.
Cash prizes are offered in all the
grades, from the sixth up through the
high school,
An abundance of material has been
assembled and placed in the public
library. where pupils may have access
to 1t. The schools are supplied with
material also.
High School Contests.
In contest for the high school
prize. local contest is first held ana
the winning essay in each class held
Tor county contest.
Subject for high school essay: "The
value to young people of an intelli-
gent study of the harmful effects. on
their bodies and morals. of alcohol
and tobacco"
Markings: Essays shall be graded
three-fourths on subject matter and
one-fourth on style and grammatical
excellence.
The maximum number of words
snail be 1900. The national prize is
$50 in gold, divided as follows: $50
1or senior-junior classes: $50 for
sophomOre-freshman classes.
State prize: Senior-junior classes.
$l5; sophomore-freshmen $40.
County prize: First, IS; second So.
Local prize: First. 81; second. 50.
Grade School Contests.
In a contest in the grades. every
child in the room chosen is expected
10 write. The teacher decides upon
the 10 best essays. A local contest is
held and a local prize awarded the
writer of the best essay.
Seventh or eighth grade subjects:
alcohol as 1t is considered by the
great business firms of the world;
The comparative effects of alcohol
an dtobacco on digestion"
The national prize is known as the
mary c. Upham prize, $25 in gold.
state prize: First, $40: second, $5.
Local prize: First, SO; second.
$3.50.
Subject for sixth grade and under:
The dangerous effects of nicotine
poison. especially to young people.
through the use of tobacco In any
form"
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