Exercising public speaking skills

Brooke pupils compete in Gettysburg Address contest

By WARREN SCOTT, Staff writer

WELLSBURG - Though not blessed with a handsome face or outgoing personality, Abraham Lincoln was able to capture the attention of many when he spoke, as related by many who heard him even before he was elected president.

Reporting on a speech made by Lincoln while campaigning for president in 1860, The Dover (New Hampshire) Inquirer said, "Mr. Lincoln spoke nearly two hours, and we believe he would have held his audience had he spoken all night."

Marshall Snow, a classmate of Lincoln's son Robert, said of Lincoln's appearance in Exeter, New Hampshire, that same year, "I remember I thought at the time he was the most melancholy man I had ever seen. When Mr. Lincoln was introduced, he got up slowly until he stood there as straight as an arrow in that long black coat. He hadn't spoken ten minutes until everybody was carried away."

For 45 years children in Brooke County have tried to work that same magic while competing in Wellsburg American Legion Post 34's annual Gettysburg Address contest, an event sponsored in recent years by the Brooke County Commission.

James McFadden, coordinator of the event, said judges this year had so much trouble choosing a winner among the 10 sixth-graders who participated, they decided to name two top winners: Sarah Wagstaff of Follansbee Middle School and Emily Stuck of Wellsburg Middle School.

Natalie McAllister was named runner up and will receive a $25 cash prize.

The contest's coordinators had planned to present cash prizes of $50 and $25 to a first place winner and second place winner, respectively, so the $75 will be divided between Stuck and Wagstaff.

The two also will be invited to deliver the speech at Memorial Day programs to be held in Follansbee and Colliers. Their schools also will take turns displaying the traveling trophy, which includes a bust of Lincoln and plate bearing the names of past winners.

The daughter of Terry and Karen Stuck of Wellsburg, Emily said she practiced in front of her mirror at home to prepare for the contest.

Wagstaff said she practiced at school. Her parents, Doug and Kirsten Wagstaff of Follansbee, said her interest in Lincoln had led her to choose Gettysburg to visit on her birthday.

The daughter of Terry and Janet McAllister, Natalie said she practiced reciting the famous speech each morning at school before classes began.

McFadden said all of the parents, grandparents and other family members of the 10 participants and six alternates should be proud of their efforts, noting all were winners of speech contests held at their schools.

Also participating were: Maddison Carroll, Lucas Pannett and Jessica Wayne, all of Follansbee Middle School; Hayleigh Sutak and Kylie Toner, both of Wellsburg Middle School; Mia Antinone of St. Joseph School, and Molly Pavan of St. Paul School.

Serving as alternates were: Austin Cornell and Krista D'Ulisse, both of Follansbee Middle School; Zach Spurrier and Kourtney Leonard, both of Wellsburg Middle School; Paraag Gupta of St. Joseph School, and Hannah Bargar of St. Paul School.

All of the pupils received certificates and T-shirts provided by the county commission and designed by Brooke County Commissioner Marty Bartz.

Their coaches were: Patty Retton, who is retiring this year after many years as coach for Follansbee Middle School; Robyn Heaton of Wellsburg Middle School, Donna Tucker of St. Joseph School and Greg Pugh of St. Paul School.

Serving as judges were: Joyce Rea, Brooke County Schools director of special education; Brooke County Assessor Tom Oughton and Brooke County Commissioner Bernie Kazienko.

Also assisting McFadden with the event were Janet and Paul McFadden and John Gallagher.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)