Alma record., 1922-03-09
KALAMAZOO AND
ALBION WIN IN
STATE CONTEST
FORMER WINS IN THE WOMEN'S
CONTEST AND ALBION IN
THE MEMS SECTION.
Albion and Hope
Winners of Second

Miss Helen Ward of Kalamazoo
College won the women's contest Of
the Michigan Oratorical League here
Friday afternoon out of the eight con-
testants with the grafton, Social De-
pendents," and in the evening Harry
Laity with the Grafton. "Our Debt of
Honor, took first place for Albion Col
lege in the mems contest.
The contests were held in the Pres
byterian Church and both in the af
ternoon and in the evening there was
good attendance.
Miss Opal Hoopngarner, Of Albion,
took second place, while to Miss
Marion Claflin, of Olivet, went third
place in the women's contest.
Miss Ward we'll deserved first place,
for her oration was of a high order.
The problem she set forth in her ora
ton, is a vital one, and should be of
interest to everyone. Not only was
the material of a superior order, but
the composition was well-nigh fault
less. Her diction was good, she had
no distracting .mannerisms, and the
gestures used were appropriate and
effective.
Social dependency is the tragedy of
thousands of homes today. The world
is Indifferent to poverty, one sees it,
but passes by. They are left to their
poverty and social negligence, because
people are more interested in the sole
,,,,.c,,;+ &c ,,,otor;o1 rainc Tbuc ap,ta1
opportunity has become an empty ex-
preston. Although we are econom-
ically independent, our social life has
become undermined. We can very
well estimate the economic loss Of
families, but not the moral loss. The
economist states that social independ-
ency is a necessary evil, but when we
realize the loss To us, through social
dependency, we will have the real
import Of social dependents.
Miss Opal Hoopingarner, was a
close second to Miss Ward. "Interna-
tional Faith" was ably delivered by
Miss Hoopngarner. She, too, had all
the requirements Of the successful
orator, poise, diction, good gestures,
and most important of all, real mes
sage to bring to her audience.
She sketched the scene on Armistice
day of the burial of the Unknown
Soldier. Prevalent in the minds Of all
men, at that time, was the thought
that war must cease. The need of the
world today is lasting faith. Arma-
ments are not primary cause of war,
for where there is no distrust, there
is no armament. One cannot
say that the Washington conference
has been a failure, for it has set a
precedent for frank consultation of
the worlds problems, the principal
one being to lessen distrust. Every
advance in civilization has been due to
the cooperation of men with their fel-
lows. The conference is a decisive
step towards association. It's success
depends upon you and |, for we con-
sttute part of public opinion.
Miss Marion Clafin, who took third
place, spoke on "The Need Of the
Twentieth Century" Miss Claflin hac
an interesting subject. She spoke with
the ease and assurance of veteran
She drew a picture of "The Thinker
by Rodin, apart from the rest, ano
simply asking the question why. With
the various great problems confront
ing the world today, men are needed
who can think straight. There is the
negro problem to be solved, and il
should be solved according to the prin.
ciples of Jesus Christ. Two viviC
pictures of America were aptly drawn
the one showing capital and labor ir
a death grip, with China and Ar
menia lying forgotten outside. The
other portrayed a glorious picture OF
service and cooperation, such as Goo
would wish it. In the hands of col
lege students lies the future, so il
college years one must cultivate clear
ness of vision, to be able to accep
| the burden of leadership.
The remaining orations showed in
tense thought and workmanship, an,
were creditably delivered.
Miss Louise Osgood, of Alma, mad
, fine showing. Her Grafton 9TH
Worlds Challenge to the College Stu
, dent" has been reviewed in the AL
T manian before, suffice it to say thel
that the Grafton took up the part tha
the college student should play in tn
world of today, Of the limitless -op
portunities before him, and the prep
aration that should be made.
r Miss Geraldine Pagel, of Hillsdal
? spoke or "The New History" Thi
, dealt in large measure with individ
z ualism. Extreme individualism wi
/, cause the downfall Of any nation. Tn
! individual to make history must b
r alive to the problems of the day, mus
!. have an international mind. Civiliza
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