The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-09-30
CHESTER ZEFF
WINS CONTEST
Gold Medal to High School
Lad for Prize Natl Colon
ial Daughters Contest.

An echo of postwar discussion of
universal military training and early
summer activity at Kenosha High
School is the announcement of the
awarding of the Theodore Roosevelt
Medal for Excellence in Composition"
to Chester Zeff for the best essay
written at Kenosha High School for
the 1920 contest conducted under the
auspices of the National Society of
Colonial Daughters.
The contest was participated in by
students in two hundred high schools
throughout the United States and a
letter received from judges headquar-
ters in Washington states that the
essay by the local lad, advantages of
Universal Military Training" ranks
among the best submitted. The Ma
tional Society of Colonial Daughters
conducts an annual essay contest.
The award of the handsome gold
medal was made by Principal George
Nelson Tremper of the High School
before the assembled students at the
opening session on Friday after
noon. The presentation recalls, past
commendable activities of Zeff. He is
president of the Advanced Junior class
and editor-in-chief of the "Spy", K.
H. SIS. monthly magazine. He won
considerable prominence during last
years school term as editor of the
Junior News and editor of the 1920
"Spy" annual, which was throughout
the state as ranking with the best
Wisconsin high school annual pub
LEGATION.
Essay Which Won Award.
The essay which was judged worthy
of the gold medal is printed below:
II am firm believer in universal
military training because it makes for
a true democracy, and because it is
Fthe sensible thing to do to prepare
for war in time of peace.
Universal military training com
mends itself to every loyal American
because it Incorporates the principles
which must constitute tn essential
basis of a reasonable military policy
for the United States. These prin-
ciples are tn recognition that the
privileges of citizenship in a democ-
racy carries with it the obligation of
a knowledge of the use of arms; and
as corollary, the principle that the
nation shall not rely for its ultimate
defense on large standing army.
The military training of American
youth will quicken, as can no other
agency, in each succeeding generation
of American boys, the qualities of
courage, loyalty, and discipline so es-
sential to the success of popular gov
eminent. A nation with our great
problems needs manhood able to see
human needs, to feel human aspira-
lions even in humble beginnings, to
do human deeds for human kind. This
education, fitting boy to go out in
life able to see, to feel, to act for
his own life and for others, is to be
found only through the influence Of
proper environment military train
ing.
what do the boys and girls of to-
day know of the affairs of their coun-
try? What do they know of patrio-
tism? Before the war they gave little
thought to love of country True,
they were loyal Americans, but their
hearts were not thrilled with the
spirit of service for there seemed
nothing for them to do Then came
the World War What an awakening
for boys and girls. They became pa
triots in day, as it were. Why? Be-
cause there was employment for their
idle time. They rushed into war re-
lief work with full hearts and ready
hands, glad to be of service.
$50 it is always. We are interested
in the things in which we play a part.
We must prove our loyalty much on
the same basis as Paul proved his
faith. We will prove our loyalty by
our works.
Children Need Discipline.
"Many of the younger generation
have been reared without being sub
ject to discipline and obedience. What
Ia wonderful thing it would be for
them to be placed for one year in a
position TO learn the vital fact that
only he can command who has learn
ed to obey.
"The participation of all classes in
year of military training would have
a tendency to elevate every American
youth. They would set their stan
dard of living by that of someone who
had enjoyed more advantages, and they
would thereby unconsciously rise to
q higher plane of existence.
"The war demonstrated on large
scale what the assimilation of a large
body of the foreign element accom-
plished. Where there were thirty diff
ferent nationalities, there were thirty
thousand different ideas about this
country and about the war. After
these men became acquainted with each
other and awoke to the advantages
of the opportunities offered them, and
the spirit Of comaraderie had develop
ed to surprising extent, they became
enthused with the one great idea that
it was their country, and they were
ready to lay down their lives if need
be to preserve American ideals. With
every nationality melted in the cruel
Bile of good fellowship and systematic
training, everyone will see and point
L. I. -. L. - 4