The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-26
HAM IL TON WINS THE FIRST PRIZE
 IN ESSAY CONTEST.
Young Student of South High lands School Writes on My Share in Making
 Highways Safe"

eenth street, south, 13year-old stu dent of the South Highlands school. won first prize in Birmingham In the recent essay contest on the subject, My Share in Making the Highways Safe" according to the judges an- nouncement. The event was open to all elementary school pupils in Bir- mingham under 15 years old.
 The essay of young Hamilton which was chosen as the best in Birmingham, will be sent to pr. John W. Abercrombie, state super intendent of education at Montgom- cry, where a state committee will award a first, second and Il third prizes for the best essays submitted by the pupils of the elementary schools of the state. Hugh W. Ellis of the Avonda1e school won the state prize Hast year. The best essay will and entered in the national contest and entere din the national contest of which the local contest won by Hamilton is part. Prizes are awarded each year by the highway educational board, with the approval of the United States bureau of edu- cation. The prizes are given by the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce. First award in the na tonal contest includes a trip to Washington with all expenses paid.
 Other pupils of Birmingham schools to win prizes in the contest were: Second, Elizabeth Smith of the Gibson school; third, Elizabeth Mo Cleary of the Avondale school: fourth, Doris Davis of the North Bir- mingham school. and honorable mention, Grover Moore of the Cray mont school; Dorothy Weaver of the Martin school, and Ernest Kreh of the Barret school. Miss Isabel Ford, . sixth grade teacher at the North Birmingham school, submitted the best practical lesson on teaching safety on the highways, In the opin- ion of the judges.
 The judges who selected the papers in the local contest were I. w. Oben- chain of Kennedy school, Miss Mary Rittenberry and Miss Johnnie Mae Cross of Central High school, Miss Willie Florence of Barker school, and Miss Sadie Botsai of Lakeview school. The prize essay follows: "MY SHARE IN MAKING
 THE HIGHWAYS SAFE"
 'It is evening. A child is skipping merrily across the street, when sud- denly the blast of a siren is heard. A childish scream, and all Is ended. A fathers broken heart and & moth CTS sob tell their pitiful story.
 "Everywhere. at railway crossings, on streets and highways, turks the grim reaper-Death-see whom he may destroy. The toll of maimed, injured and dead mounts higher each year as the reaper gathers in his awful harvest! In 1921, 10,16S were killed in automobile accidents alone. Is this terrible sacrifice to go on forever? Is there no way to stop this fearful harvest of sorrow and destruction? Yes, there is a way. I am convinced that in vast major ity of cases, a little care would be all that would be needed. If every boy and girl would only determine to practice the motto of Safety First most of these tragedies could be avoided.
 therefore, I pledge my services to my city, my state and my coun- try to practice the rules of Safety First and to aid in every way I can to have others do the same. l, both when riding and walking, will obey the traffic laws.
 T will, whenever possible, assist the aged and infirm, and especially will help little children.
 q will take no needless risk my self nor will I ever dare others to do so.
 T will be especially careful before crossing a railway or alighting from 8 street car.
 q shall not attempt to board any vehicle which is in motion, or to hold to them while skating or riding a bicycle.
 q shall not throw glass or fruit peels on the highways, and I will remove them if they are thrown down by others.
 q will report to the proper au- thorities at once any broken wires or other dangerous conditions and see that some one stands on guard until the danger is removed.
 q will not play in the public high ways. Jay walking is a short cut to the hospital, therefore. I will never cross through the middle of the block, nor cut obliquely across any thoroughfare.
 When in a group of children I will try to see that everyone turns in one direction instead of scatter ing at the rapid approach of a car.
 T will be one to start move ment to organize a club or society among children, the purpose of which shall be to enlighten the chil- dren of the dangers of the highway. PThe members of such organization will endeavor to promote more care full and thoughtful actions not only among its members but among the