New Britain herald., 1925-11-14
KATHERINE WACKER \ HAS BEST LETTER 
Barbara Smith Wins Second Girl Scout Prize

uslng Just two words moro than half the number sho was allowed in the Girl Scout letter writing con- test, Katherine Wacker, l3 years old, Of 25 Greenwood street, won the first prize in the contest. The decision was announced last eye- ming by the judges after going through a number ot letters which had been received during the first three days Of the week.
 The contest rules permitted 2j0 words as a maximum number and all letters submitted were within hat rule. The fact that Miss Wacker's letter contained only l27 words vas not taken into consid' cration by the judges, but vas merely coincidence.
 The second prize went 10 Barbara smith of 70 Francis street. The judges voted honorable mention to Irene Winger of 2j Greenwood street and Gertrude Ericsson Of 5G5 Arch slreet.
 The contest revealed some inter rs'ing facts which the judges were required to consider. Four letters were disqualified without being read because they arrived 24 hours too late. Two others were disqualified because Of relationship to scout of- iicials or judges.
 One girl wrote on two sides Of the same sheet of paper and automatic ally disqualified herself,
 one girl, whose letter brought much favorable comment because ot its nea,ness, understanding of the subject and originality of compost ton. undoubtedly would have won q prize had it not been disqualified for lack of punctuation.
 While inc judges voted not to publish the prize winning letter, ex- tracts from number Of letters proved very interesting. The one g hch took first prize stated in part: "I am q Girl scout-not merely 10 have the honor of being called q Carl scouu--not just 10 wear uni form, but 10 impress upon other people the value Of being q Girl scout and 10 become morally and bodily clean,
 "In my future life thj' practice of being honorable, holptuI to others, friends,io all, loyal, and, most of all, clean in thought, word and deed, will benefit me greatly.
 Scouting is not merely working step by step towards the goal, but along with that is fun and play"
 The letter continues 10 explain the value of merit badges as goal to- wards which 10 work.
 The second prize letter enunerat- ed some Of the things for which scouting stands. such as cheerful ness, courtesy. truthfulness, obedi- ence. thrift and honor. The letter states that girl living up 10 her scout laws Is joy 10 her parents her teachers and her community,
 The policy of the scout organiza, lion in iis teaching came in for some comment by the judges when if was noticed that most of the letter uritors seemed 10 cNaggeratc in their minds the fact that they were being trained for future life" and lost sight of the fact that they were be- ing trained 10 q normal girlhood as well as a fuiuro womauhood.
 Another peculiar coincidonco which was not learned until later is the fact that not only tn" two prize winners. but the two getting honor able mention as well, all were found to be mentors of the Girl Scout dru mcorps.
 The first prize consisting of a Dlatinum brooch in spider Hoh de- sisn with sapphire setting, Th' ecconl prize consists of q platinum friendship clrgle. The prizes are on display in ih" window of tho Porter and Dyson i"n'lrv store. They will le presented 10 tho winners ht thc oint meeting of the Rotary and Xii