Mendel Lieberman, son of Jacob J. Lieberman, prominent Los Angeles attorney, Zionist and communal worker, won first place in an oratorical contest conducted by the Los Angeles Evening Herald, one of the biggest afternoon papers on the coast. Second place in this contest was taken by a Jewish boy also, Israel Shapiro, son of Aaron Shapiro, well known Socialist, attorney, and Poale Zion officer.
In commenting upon the oratorical victory, the Los Angeles Herald said: “Young Lieberman, a perfect study in poise, self-assurance and stage presence, not only defeated one of the finest groups of student orators ever assembled in the Southland, but his outstanding victory took the Evening Herald Trophy to a permanent place in the trophy room of the Los Angeles High School.”
The oration, which was extemporaneous, and conducted among twelve trial winners, was on “The Subsidizing, Proselyting and Demoralization of Athletes.” Young Shapiro, who missed first prize by a narrow margin of half of one point, spoke on “Physique and Physical Activity in Relationship to High School and University Progress.” Shapiro is a junior at the Roosevelt High School.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
