Evening star., 1928-03-30
LA APLATA BOY WINS
IN NORATORY MEET
John D. DiggeS Gets Place in
State FinaIS-ConteSt in
Marlboro Tonight.

Facing an audience of ESQ men,
women and children, many Of whom
had iourneyed In from the surrounding
countryside to witness oratoriCal COM
bat I'm the fourth group meeting OF the
Maryland districts participation in the
Fifth National Oratorical Contest held
in the La Plata High School. John Dud-
lev DieccS. Spokesman for the school IN
which the meet was held last night
won the right 10 enter the Maryland
finals by defeating four other school
representatives with his Grafton on the
Constitution,
The fifth and final contender for the
Maryland district championship viii be
chosen in the concluding Maryland
group meet st o'clock tonight in the
Marlboro Episcopal Church Parish
House. Five school champions will
compete in that final meet. representing
the best oratorical talent in the Brandy
wine High School the Baden High
School. the Oxon Hin High School the
Marlboro High School and the SurrattS-
vile High School
Speaking on The Development of the
Constitution" John DiggeS. last nights
winner. won the decision OF the five
Judges with a style Of oratory peculiar
~ times 10 the old school of forenSicS
His voice, mounting for emphasis, fair
Is aUlvered in the intensity which the
speaker sought to display Progressing
rapidly through his speech, Johns ear
neStness, or his excitement caused his
memory TO falter A fellow student
however, seated in the front row OF the
auditorium was ready With a prompting
sentence. and young DiggcS carried on
without penalty from the Judges In
tn 11a a 4
finals DigGeS also won The Stars cash
award Of 5000.
Rice Gets Second Place,
Kermit f. Rice. speaking sor the
ClaSvs High School on The Present
Significance Of the Constitution" won
second honorS with a we'll written and
smoothly delivered speech. Kermit's
gestures were plenty and at times those
Of the Oratorical master.
Perhaps the most interesting figure
on the contestant stage in last nights
meeting was George ChoporiS. champion
Of the River Springs High School
George is the son Of Greek parents. who
wears ago left their native land to adopt
the United States as their home The
son. born in this country, made pro-
found impression upon his audience
and held its attention from his simple
salutation. Fellow citizens" until he
concluded at the end of the allowed 10
minutes for speech delivery Speaking
on The Development OF the ConStitu-
ton" George was backed heartily by
GlaSva High School teachers. who fol-
lowed his speech. word for word. form
ing each syllable with their own lips as
he progressed. and cheering students.
Handicapped by a severe cold. the lad
presented his Grafton 10 place not far
behind the winners in the Judges
ballots.
Girls OFations Good.
Then there was Miss Dorothy Michael
ot the HugheSville High School. who
bid for victory with an Grafton on The
DEVELOPMENT of the Constitution" and
Miss Myrtle Woodward. champion Of
the Laekey High School Of Indian Head,
wh0 spoke on The Present Significance
of the Constitution" Miss Michaels
speech was one Of the smoothest ora
tons that have been heard. but her
delivery may have mitigated against her
chance Of placing in the decision Of the
Judges. Miss Woodward also presented
2 strong bid for first place in the con-
test. The fact that she did not quite
complete her oratiOn before the expira-
@Ng5A Va AA&C &AAgNEG AZ minutes GAQ not
affect the decision Of the Judges. be-
cause she halted on the instant time
vas called. Under the rule Of the con-
test speaker is automatically drop
oed n last place when he speaks over
time only i he continues 70 speak after
notification that the time is uD.
Held IN the brand-new La Plata High
School L nights meeting was a live
" scene Of cheering students and atten-
tive oldsterS. who, in attending the
group meeting Of the contest. we're
principals in the first interschOol func-
ton 20 be held in the new building
The school was opened after Christmas
ard its bright newness fairly reflected
the enthusiasm Of the meeting.
Music was provided by Anton MIN
merichter and his music students Of
Brandywine Joseph A. Wilmer. mem
Der II the Maryland Legislature. pre-
sided
The judges whose decision made John
Digges q contender for the Maryland
cf1smpionEhip were w p Billinqsley
o. Il Plata clerk Of the Charles Coun-
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