Page 64 - ARAlbums1991-1994

Alumni Proud ofFlocution Medals
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For many years an elocution contest
for the Norment prizes was held between
the members of the freshman and sopho-
more classes on the final Monday of the
academic year. "After a series of elimi-
nation contests, judges chose the first
and second best among the men and the
first and second best among the women,
to receive the awards. These prizes had
been established in 1890 by Samuel
Norment, a brother-in-law of J.T. Ward. Each first prize was thirty dollars
and each second, twenty dollars.'; (Western Maryland College, The
Formative Yeats, 1866-1947, S. Schofield and M. Crain, p. 54, 1982)
Pat McLaren DiMeo '51, niece of Elizabeth Bemiller '27 writes, "I
have enclosed photos of Ibby's (Elizabeth's) medal (1927). On one side
are the college initials and on the other 'Elocution' and '1927.' The actu-
al medal measures iY,6" x IV,6". I wear it Whenever I'm wearing an open-
neck blouse, so that's very often. It's one of my most treasured pieces of
jewelry, both for its beauty and especially for its sentimental value."
Editorial Note: LuMar Myers Slocum '39 informed the Alumni Office
that her mother, Georganna Wilson Strayer, class of 1896, was one of the
earliest winners of this award. Louise Jamison Highby '39 received one of
the last Norment prizes awarded. Even today these three alumnae proudly .
wear the handsome Norment medals.