Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 187, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 August 1910 — Athletics for Young Girls [ARTICLE]

Athletics for Young Girls

New York City Authorities Officially Recognize Necessity of Such Training. New York.—Athletics for school girls have been officially recognized in New York city. Last November, Miss Elizabeth Burchenal was appointed inspector of athletics by the department of education. The girls’ branch of the Public School Athletic league employs five assistants for Miss Burchenal and supports In all eleven after school classes In folk dancing and athletics for girls. The popularity of these classes is Indicated by the attendance —1,051 teachers from 246 schools. These teachers in return for the Instruction they receive coach the girls’ athletic clubs organized In their own schools. Interclass athletic competitions are held, blit no Interschool competition Is countenanced by the girls’ branch. This'spring about two hundred athletic meets will be conducted. New York city has 325.000 school girls, whom the girls’ branch endeavors to bring wholesome and joyous recreation. The girls’ branch work has come to form an integral part of school life, making it mqre real and human. It welds about the community, the home and the school a solid bond of beauty. Folk dancing and athletics for girls have taken a strong grip upon the consciousness of the community. A little girl nt>t more than seven years of age. In an east side school, took part In • friendly competition of folk

dancing and athletics between her class and others of the Bchool. She was the smallest tot of them all, and clad In her plaid skirt —the plaid of her Highland clan—she danced the “Highland Schottlsche” with an abandon and enthusiasm that could not be equaled. Her whole family came to see her and to exult in the pari, that she had in the competition. The Highland girl and the Highland dance won the day. The little one and her mates of the triumphant class each bore home as trophies small copies of the Winged Victory, which have been provided through the generosity of Mrs. Henry Siegel. Two days afterward this little girl was seen on the street In company with her three-year-old sister, teaching the little .one the steps of her national dance.