Milford chronicle., 1927-05-20
DELAWARE BOY WINS
Big ORATORICAL PRIZE
IN REGIONAL CONTEST
(oontinued from first page)


ced every word as if the success of
his entire Grafton depended on 1t,
vet did it with an ease and grace
that seemed wholly natural.
Fourth on the program of eight, |
the lad followed three splendid |
sneakers. one of whom, Robert F. !
Lehman, of Bristol High School, fin
ished third. He rose when introduc-
ed bv Justice William 1. Schaffer, of
the Pennsylvania State Supreme
Court, who presided, paused while
waiting absolute silence, then began
his plea to awaken American citizen
ship to the responsibility it owes the
Constitution. And from that mo-
ment on the audience seemed to
sense the fact it was listening to the
winner.
Characterizing the Constitution as
an instrument which removed the
crown of sovereignty from the pol
luted heads of kings and placed 1t on
the brow of a nations citiZenry,"
Tunnel, who is a son or Mr.. anu
Mrs. James NJ. Tunnel, of George
town. said: "If sovereignty rests in
the people a part of the responsible
ity of ruling devolves upon each CIT
izen. Constructed in a nations in
fancy, the Constitution has met the
requirements of a nations matur-
ity."
No sooner was the decision an
nounced than hundreds of high
school students, friends and relatives
surged into the Green Room of the
Academy to acclaim the foremost
speaker of the evening. Retiring,
shy, the youth was besieged by girls
who wanted him to autograph their
programs. He obliged.
Nobody was more generous IN ap-
plause than Tunnels competltors.
Blair N. Kelley, Jr., OF Lansdowne
High, who won second place, was on
his feet extending CONGRATULATIONS
before Justice Schaffer had finished
his announcement. And the others
followed - Martin Rosenberg, OF
south Philadelphia High; Charles b.
Bidelspacher, of Williamsport Hlgn;
Robert Criscuolo, of Trenton High;
William Lundgren, Sd, of German
town Academy, and Alvin Il. Nit
chell. of John Harris High, Harris
burg. &c
his success to his father, VINO IN
strUcted him. Under the award plan
his victory entities him to a 1our-
wear college scholarship or an eX-
tended educational tour OF Europe
"I don't know which I'll take yet
he said Friday night. 81 hadn't given
If a thought, and I'll want to talk II
over with my parents first.
And his father, standing nearby
said. "James will do whatever ne
wants to do" But even after that
lanes insisted he didn't know YET
what he wanted.
However, regardless OF the aware
he chooses, Tunnel will go TO col
lege. He plans to enter MercersDure
Academy next fall and from there
exnects to go to Princeton. His IA
ther is one of the leading lawyers III
the State.
"My chief thought now is to Keep
in good condition so l can do some
thing for the Philadelphia Region IN
washington" was the lads parting
remark.
Justice Schaffer lauded all the
contestants and saw in the work oil
the contest a beneficent reaction on
the part of citizens.
ITS a fine thing" said Justice
Schaffer, that countrywide tne
youths of the land are turning thelI
minds to the study of the corner
stone of the Government-the Con-
stitution." Then, referring to the
contestants, 81 would have beer
proud to have written and delivered
any one of the orations myself"
Each of the regional finalists was
awarded a steel engraved, hand-en-
crossed certificate of merit. Similar
certificates will be given to eacf
school, district and semi-final win
ner.
An elaborate round of entertain
ment has been planned for the ma
tional finalists in Washington. They
will be feted and dined and escorted
on tours through points of historic
interest. Should young Tunnel elect
to take the European tour he VIII
sail from New York on the Levia'
than, July 2, returning to this coun'
try in time for the fall term ot
school.
The judges who selected Friday
nights winners were: DR.. Cheese
man A. Herrick, president of Girarc
College; Judge Albert w. Johnson
of the United States District Court
Lewisburg, Pa; Judge Joseph A
Taulane, Common Pleas Court No. /
of Philadelphia; President Judge
Charles NJ. Curtis, Juvenile Court
Wilmington; President Judge Ray
mond MacNeille, Municipal Court, Of
Philadelphia; Joseph p. Gaffney
City Solicitor of Philadelphia; for
mer Judge Harold B. Wells, Solici-
tor of Burlington county, Borden
town, N. j., and Miss Ruth A. l.
Dorsey, dean of women, Drevel In
stitute.
Tie seven national f1nalists in the
Washington contest will represent
seven regions into which the coun-
try was divided for administrative
purposes in this contest born four
years ago of a desire on the part oi
a group of public spirited citizens to
stimulate greater interest in and
create respect for the fundamental
law of the land. The winner of the
National Finals at Washington will
be presented with handsome silver
loving cup. After the National Finals
the contest takes on an international
aspect, the American winner compe-
ting with winners of contests being
held concurrently in seven foreign
nations.