Evening star., 1926-03-04
.ORATORY CONTEST
PRAISED AS ASSET
Principal MonCure of AIexan.
dria High StirS Interest
of Students.

Prof. Henry T. Moncure, principal
of the Alexandria High School, heart
lily approves the 1926 National and In
ternational Oratorical Contest, declar
ing 1t distinct and helpful! education
al school asset and a notable contri
button toward patriotism and good
citizenship.
II heartily indorse the effort" Prof
Moncure states in a letter on the sub
ject sent to the contest headquarters
in The Star Building, land I am graft
fed to see a live interest among the
pupils Of this school. We expect to
have a goodly and creditable represen
tatiOn in the contest and are hopeful
of excellent results in the way of ere
ating an added interest in English and
history and in acquainting our pupils
with the fundamentals of American
Government as embodied in the Con
stitution. consider the contest not
only a valuable and distinct educa-
tional asset, but splendid contribu.
ton toward better citizenship and
PATRIOTISM
Contest Advisers.
The contest in this school is under
the direction of Miss Kroes Ficklin,
head of the English department, and
cooperating with Miss Fickin in the
work. along with Prof. Moncure, are
Miss Margaret Green Of the depart
ment of English and Miss Linda Car.
yer, special adviser Of the history de-
partment. Already a number Of
pupils have entered the contest and
are busily engaged In the preparation
Of their orations under the supervision
and direction Of the faculty advisers.
The United States Bureau of Edu.
In
describing important developments in
connection with education. gives the
following description of the 1926 Ma.
tional Oratorical Contest:
"A personally conducted tour of Eu.
rope during the Summer of 1925 is of.
fered this year, instead of cash
prize, to the seven finalists in the 1929
National Oratorical Contests, accord
ing to recent announcement of the
director.
These student contests are
financed by representative newspapers
in the United States to promote bet
ter and more intelligent citizenship.
Last year, 1t is estimated, more than
a million and third high school
boys and girls participated in the
State contests leading up to the final
test in Washington City in June. A
somewhat similar contest, DUI entlTely
independent, was conducted in 1925
in Mexico.
International In Scope.
"The contest this year has assumed
an international character, not only
in the award of a personally con-
Quoted European tour for the seven
successful contestants in the United
States, but independently conducted
national contests will be held in Can
ada, England, Mexico, France and
Germany, eliminating in a meeting
in Washington next October Of the
national winners. Each nations con-
testant will discuss the governmental
contribution OF his own country.
The director of the contests in the
United States also Is international
director.
"In the United States the subject,
as heretofore, will focus on constitu-
tional government. The seven ANAL
lists will sail from New York CITY
July 8, and all expenses for their
tour, except for passport and per
sonal expenditures, will be met by
the 26 metropolitan newspapers spon-
soring the project"