Warsaw high school and the residents of the city are very proud
of the school speech department, and especially the nine students
who make their way through the state finals. Seven of the champions
will represent Warsaw high school and Indiana in national competition
in Lexington Ky., in June.
This is the first time in a number of years that a school has
won all but two events in state speech competition girls' extemporaneous,
boys' extemporaneous, original oratory, oratorical, dramatic humorous
and poetry interpretation, radio announcing and discussion. In
one of the two events in which Warsaw students were not first
place winners radio announcing and original oratory Duke Fisher
placed second in the latter.
Mrs. Petrie, head of the speech department has had all of the
state speech winners in her department for two years, except Carol
Stone and Seth Lewis, and some of them for three years. She stated
that this interest in speech began three years ago when two of
these state winners Larry Poland and Margie Long went to state
finals as sophomores. Duke Fisher also participated in congress
during his sophomore year. He says he made up his mind then that
he was going to major in speech activities in high school and
try to make the National Competition his senior year. Duke has
a fight to win such as his father had when he was coach in Warsaw.
Larry Poland, Duke Fisher and Margie Long have won more honors
in the speech activities than any other students in the state.
Larry and Duke are both state champs in open debate in student
congress. They also have won top honors in original oratory and
boys' extemporaneous and have excelled in dramatics. Duke was
the recipient of the American Legion Oratorical four-year scholarship
to Indiana University. He also was awarded a scholarship to Indiana
university in science. Duke was the only student in the state
to win first place in both student congress and boys' extemporaneous.
KEEN COMPETITORS
Larry Poland, exchange student to Europe last year, also says
his interest in speech began three years ago when he was in the
state finals. This is his third year to participate in the state
finals. Mrs. Petrie reported that she had never had two students,
who were such keen competitors for top honors in nearly every
tournament, show such wonderful sportsmanship and fine friendly
spirit toward each other. That is the secret of their success.
They have boosted each other and have won friends throughout the
state by spreading good will among students and coaches.
The congress election for the National is based on the number
of honors won in speech competition, the student ability to write
and discuss bills pertaining to governmental affairs, their knowledge
of current affairs, parliamentary law, their speaking ability,
and their popularity with the coaches and students. Both the students
and the coaches are the judges of the students who will be sent
to the National Congress.
Margie Long has won more honors in dramatics than any other student
in the state during the past two years, holding state championship
title both years. It is felt that Margie will succeed in the dramatic
field if she continues to apply herself. She has a strong determination
to master any role she is given. She has talent and if the proper
counseling, guidance, and opportunity, success should be hers.
Mrs. Petrie commented that it had been a real pleasure working
with Margie and her brother, Art, and sister, Mary Ann. There
never had been more enjoyable dramatic students, she also added.
TOUGHEST EVENT
Anita Eddingfield, another member of the championship team,
has won her honors in girls' extemporaneous. This is the toughest
of all events, because the students must be able to think quickly,
to arrange and organize thoughts and must be well-read. They never
know what subject they will draw until 40 minutes before time
to speak. The only assistance the coaches can offer is to train
them beforehand to organize a speech, how to deliver it and have
them practice speaking all year until they have acquired sufficient
poise, technique and general knowledge of current affairs. Anita
is salutatorian of her class and has been outstanding in music
and dramatics. Mrs. Petrie says she has won a lot of honors in
high school and will continue to make Warsaw proud of her achievements.
Patti Dirck, the fifth member of the championship team, has won
all her speech honors this year. She has been outstanding in music,
being a member of the band and choir. This year she has captured
top honors in two fields poetry interpretation and oratorical
interpretation. Patti was undefeated in both the N.F.L. Tournament
and the all-state finals last Saturday. She is the state champion
in oratory. The high school North West association, which governs
all state and National Tournaments, says that they must not allow
more than 250 students in the National Competition, therefore
this event does not continue beyond the state finals.
Connie Stavropuos, the sixth member of the team, has also been
in speech for two years. She is secretary of N.F.L. and has certainly
won her share of honors as a member of the state champion debate
team. Connie has participated in all speech events including congress,
discussion, extemporaneous, and dramatics. She is a fine student
and it is predicted that a bright future awaits her in speech
field.
FINE DEBATE RECORD
John Bennett, the seventh member of the championship team,
has made a fine record this year especially in debate. He has
been a member of N.F.L. for three years. John has been active
in congress and extemporaneous. This year he went all out for
debate and helped bring home the all-state debate trophy. John
has also participated in all speech activities including congress,
discussion, dramatics, and interpretation. He will make a fine
showing at the National. It is hoped that he will again be successful
in helping to bring home another trophy. He has made a fine contribution
to the senior speech class as well as to his debate team and the
Warsaw high school.
Mrs. Petrie says she would like to pay tribute to another outstanding
member of the speech team who took second place in the N.F.L.
State Finals. She took second place in debate and poetry interpretation.
Sue Gast has made outstanding contributions in all speech activities.
She also took second place in the Rotary Oratorical Contest. Sue
was voted as one of the top ten in the Purdue Legislative Conference.
Sue starred in her junior play "Sabrina Fair" and has
been one of the most valuable members of N.F.L. She also went
to the state finals in girls extemporaneous, her first year in
speech, her junior year. Sue plans to attend Northwestern university
next year and major in speech. A successful career for Sue is
predicted in whatever field she chooses.
Another member of our Championship team who helped to pile up
points for the state trophy was a junior Greg Zuck. Greg has been
most successful this year, having won top honors in every tournament
in boys extemporaneous. Mrs. Petrie predicts he will be another
Duke Fisher with another year's experience. Greg was recently
elected president of N.F.L. for next year.
Two sophomores who have done outstanding work this year and helped
pile up points are Carol Stone, who was a member of the state
championship debate team, and Mark Mason, who was awarded the
second place silver medal in discussion at the state finals last
Saturday. Mrs. Petrie predicts a successful career for these beginners
next year.
SETH LEWIS, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Lewis, West Main Street is a member of the state championship debate team. He and Carol Stone, a sophomore, were members of the negative team debating the farm parity question. To their credit this year they have 29 wins and 11 losses. In county competition, Seth won superior awards in extemporaneous speaking and radio announcing. He and Carol won at Peru, Hammond and Elmhurst (Fort Wayne) invitational debate tourneys earlier in the year. Seth formerly lived in Indianapolis, coming to Warsaw high school in his senior year. He is the recipient of a $5,000 General Motors scholarship to Butler university. He hopes to debate during his college years with the Butler university squad. CAROL STONE, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Stone of South Harding avenue, is the only sophomore on the local state championship debate team. Carol, who came here two years ago from Lombard, Ill., debated the negative side of the farm parity question with Seth Lewis this year. She and Seth had 29 wins and 11 losses in debate competion, taking second in the intramurals, first in the district, zone and state debate contests. Carol is a member of G.A.A., National Forensic League, sings with the high school chorus. |
CONNIE STAVROPULOS, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Stavropulos, of North Buffalo Street. Connie will go to the national tournament as honorary captain of the local debate team. She was recently elected by her teammates as the most valuable member of the state championship debate team. In every meet this year Connie has ranked as one of the five outstanding speakers. She and John Bennett argued the affirmative side of the farm parity bill. They are the first in many years to win a state championship and place second in the National Forensic League district tourney. They have to their credit this year 33 wins and nine loses in debate. Connie plans to enter Manchester college where she will major in speech and music education. She is the recipient of a Manchester college freshman honor scholarship. JOHN BENNETT, son of Mrs. Elsie Eleopulos, of East Fort Wayne street, is a member of the state championship team which is entered in the National Speech contest at Lexington, Ky., in June. John and Connie Stavropulos, were members of the affirmative team debaing the farm parity question. They were runners-up in the National Forensic League district contest and state open champions. They won 27 and lost nine debates this year. John is winner of the National Freedoms Foundation Award for an editorial he wrote and which appeared as an editorial in the school paper. He plans to enter Manchester college in the fall, where he will major in speech education. John has taken part in other school activities including class plays |
LARRY POLAND, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Poland, of Winona Lake, has qualified for the national contest in legislative debate. Legislative debate is a form of debate which is carried on in the same manner as in our national congress. Larry was named outstanding senator in the congress session at Hammond this spring on the basis of his speaking on bills submitted by student senators. In the state contest he was again named the best senator. He has been active in music and sports during his high school career, is an exchange stucent to Germany, is president of the Warsaw high school student body and student council. Larry will enter Wheaton college in the fall. He plans to study for the Christian ministry or to teach speech. ANITA EDDINGFIELD, daughter of Mrs. A. L. Eddingfield, West Center street, this year won the state championship at the National Forensic League speech contest in the field of girls' extemporaneous speaking. She also participated in congress work, had a leading role in the senior play, has been active in high school choir work, serving as the accompanist for several years. Anita, salutatorian of her class, was a delegate to Girl's State last summer and was recipient of the DAR Good Citizenship award. She will participate in the National Speech contest at Lexington, Ky. In the fall Anita will enroll at DePauw iniversity where she plans to major in English and speech. |
PATTI DIRCK, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alden C. Dirck, Mentone road, captured top honors in two fields this year--poetry and oratorical interpretation. Patti was undefeated in both the N.F.L. tournament and the all state finals. She is state champion in oratory, however, the National rules do not permit competition in this field and she will not enter the National. Patti is active in dramatics, choir and band. DUKE FISHER, son of Rep., and Mrs. George Fisher, of near Leesburg, will enter national speech competition in the field of extemporaneous speaking. Duke, a few months ago also earned the right to go to National in the congress, House of Representatives. He chose extemporaneous speaking in the National because it would permit him to enter original oratory, too, and permit his alternative, a boy from Howe Military academy, to attend the congress in his place. In addition to speaking extemporaneously Duke will give his original oration, "The Lost Treasurer." He has been active in dramatics (school class plays), track; is vice president of the senior class; attended Boy's state last summer; and recently won a scholarship to Indiana university in the field of science. |
MARGIE LONG, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Long, East Main street, has won more honors in dramatics than any other student in the state. This year she holds three state championships--N.F.L. state champion in humorous declamation; N.F.L. state champion in dramatic declamation; and open state champion in dramatic declamation. In her sophomore year she placed second in the open state finals, and as a junior she was state champion in both the N.F.L. and open divisions. At the National Speech contest held at Muskogee, Okla., Margie placed 11th with her dramatic interpretation of "The snow Goose." At the nationals this year she will give a dramatic interpretation of "Joan of Lorraine." In the fall she will enter college at Ripon, Wis., where she will major in speech and dramatics. She was in her junior year awarded a $250 scholarship to Ripon college. |
Warsaw Times-Union Saturday, May 18, 1957
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