Ilion High School - Class of 1936

Ilion Citizen - February 22, 1934

Alida Helmer, Ted Carney Win Prize Contest

Article 3

A couple of elderly Cape-Codders very "sot" in their ways and a lad who "snitched" purses in order to get money to join the Y. M. C. A. furnished the themes for the selections given by Alida Helmer and Theodore Carney, first prize winners at the annual prize speaking contest at the high school Tuesday evening. Miss Helmer's, "Abandoned Elopement", and Mr. Carney's, "Never Again", were both humorous and lively character sketches very convincingly done. Second prizes were won by "Betty Shaffer with "Laughter of Leen" and Joseph Leese presenting a scene from "Submerged." These two selections were in direct contrast to the first two, both offering strong dramatic scenes.

A sympathetic and attentive audience, which made up in quality what it lacked in quantity, gave ample evidence of the general excellence of the program. Several highly emotional and difficult scenes were greeted with honest respect and tense interest which they merited. Honorable mentions could well have been numerous. One selection which lacked at first in reality and definiteness flashed to a brilliant and compelling finish. Quite small faults robbed other scenes of their full power and a strong chance of being prize winners.

Without exception these young speakers possessed a pleasingly direct and simple stage manner which spoke well for their own poise and, the training behind them.

The others on the program were: Thelma Groesbeck, "The Death Disk", Lillian Wasmer, a cutting from "Macbeth", Emma Carr, cutting from "The Enemy", Kenneth Bleau, "The Last Man", William Grimshaw, "After Twenty Years", Leo Cline, "Pigs is Pigs".

Judges were Ralph Algiers, Herkimer High School: Superintendent Charles Lewis, Frankfort Schools, and (contrary to the Utica Press, Observer-Dispatch and Herkimer Telegram) Mrs. Charles T. Lawrence of Ilion.