Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-05-09
Wins Id OratOry.

Shaken by news that five of her school
chums and teacher were injured when
their automobile was wrecked while speed
ing to Bethesda to hear her speak. lS-yeaI-
old Frances Gertrude McKim Of St Marys
Seminary steadied herself Thursday night
of last week to win the Maryland State
championship Of the National Oratorical
Contest with composure and perfection
of gesture and tone that assured her the
unanimous decision of the judges.
When the young woman began the de-
livery of her grafton in the auditorium of
the Bethesda Chevy Chase High School,
Leland. before an audience which had gath
cred from four Maryland counties to hear
the contest. the only evidence of her dis
turbed nervous state was slight trembling
of her hands that disappeared when she
warmed to her subject. THE Constitution a
Guarantee of Personal Liberty"
With considerable dramatic ability and
an enthusiasm which caught and held the
attention of her hearers. she developed her
theme. showing the gradual growth of free
dom Of the individual in America and its
embodiment in the Constitution and sue
ceedine amendments.
Although Miss McKim was the first to
speak. usually considered an unfavorable
position. each of the three judges awarded
her first place by wide margin. Her victory
assures place in The Washington Star
area finals. the prize for which is a two
and a-half-month tour of EurOpe. in COM
pany with the six other zone champions.
As reward for winning the Maryland
State championship. she was presented
check for 500 by Oliver owen Kuhn, man
aging editor of The Star. sponsor of the
contest in this region. Mr.. Kuhn also made
awards of gold medals. emblematic of coun-
ty championships to each of the four young
orators.
The winner Of he contest. a slightly
built girl. is the possessor of full. melo
dious voice which was audible in all quar-
tiers of the large auditorium.
The daughter Of Mrs. Mary Golden McKim
of 1901 Ellamont street. Baltimore. Nd.
she is a student at St. Mary's Seminary.
At contest at Leonardlown. she was
chosen to represent St. Mary's County in
the State finals. She expects to become a
librarian.
Second place in Thursday nights contest
went to Dorothy E. Bean. is years old. of
Hushesville High School. Charles County.
She spoke on THE Constitution; Its Franz
ers." attributing the present greatness of
America to the body of men who constructed
the frame work of our Government. She
is the daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. J. Milton
Bean of Waldorf, Md. and wishes to study
teaching when she graduates from high
school next year.
Other contestants and their subjects were
Wilson Tyrrell. II years old, Bethesda
Chevy Chase High School. Montgomery
County. THE Constitution Me .ting the Re-
volvins Demands of Changing Genera
tion." Beulah May Beall. Is years old. of
Marlborough High School. Prince Georges
County. Expansion of Federal Power Since
the Civil War"
Senator Willard Tydines of Maryland.
who was scheduled to preside. was unable
to be present becaus. of a party caucus.
His place was taken by Representative j.
Charles Linthicum. dean of the Maryland
cong ressional delegation. who explained to
the audience the purpose and something
of the history Of the National Oratorical
Contest.
Mr.. Kuhn presented the medals and the
check following the announcement of the
judges decision by the chairman.
The judges were DR.. Wesley M. Gewehr.
head Of the history department of Ameri-
can University. Mrs. Anne 7. Renshaw.
director Of the Renshaw School of Express
sion. and Stephen E. Kramer. superinten-
dent of Washington public schools.