Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 19, Number 19, DeMotte, Jasper County, 8 April 1949 — LAPORTE YOUTH TO REPRESENT INDIANA IN THE AMERICAN LEGION NATIONAL ORATORICAL CONTEST [ARTICLE]

LAPORTE YOUTH TO REPRESENT INDIANA IN THE AMERICAN LEGION NATIONAL ORATORICAL CONTEST

Ron Snyder, 18 year old Senior and Indiana Hi-Y President from LaPorte High School was judged top Indiana Orator in the 12th Annual American Legion High School Oratorical Contest which is jointly sponsored by the Indiana Bar Association. Snyder’s winning Oration dealt with the importance of the “Common Man.” The address was entitled, “Let There Be Light.” Snyder said, “The common man raised himself from a point of obscurity to his rightful position as the foundation of our Government.” Young Snyder will travel, to Libertyville Township High School, Waukegan, Illinois, on April 12th for Regional 7 to be held at 10 a.m., to complete against Don Pulliam of Danville, Illinois; Campi&n E. Kersten, Milwaukee,, Wisconsin and the Michigan contestant. Michigan final contest will be held Friday, April Ist. More than 500 High School students began competing for the State title two months ago. John Carey of For Wayne won second place with Patricia Ann Smith of Mount Vernon and Don England of Indianapolis winning third and fourth position respectfully. The winner from the Waukegan Regional 7 will compete in one of the four sectional contests at Fort Wayne Central High School, April 14th with the winner enering the National Finals at Philadelphia* April *l9th. The National American Legion will award a S4OOO cash prize to provide a college education to the National winner. Second place is a $2500 scholarship, third place a SIOOO scholrship and fourth place a SSOO scholarship. An estimated record 200,000 high school students entered The 1949 national contest.