AUNT HILDA’S LETTER.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20483, 8 December 1934, Page 26 (Supplement)

AUNT HILDA’S LETTER.

PREMIER AWARDS.

Great Steps in Self Help,

JJEAR STARLETS,— Excitement has been running high all the week in the office, for besides sending off your gifts for you to see, the marks books have been arriving and we have been finding the Premier or best Starlet. The Premier prize was first started in 1930, with its aim the encouragement of working towards a set goal and developing patience and persistence. As the work is purely voluntary it is a great characterbuilding factor. Gladys Levy (now Pollyanna of our pages) won the first prize with 217 marks, with May Kelly runner-up. In 1931 Gladys Levy earned 268 marks and was again Premier. Most of her marks were gained by original poem and prose writing. Frances Henshaw was second that year. In 1932 the field was open to new triers, and Brenda Payne was the winner with 212 marks, and May Kelly again second. In 1933 Brenda Payne again won the Premier and Daphne Dickie was runner-up. And now we come to 1934. Early in the year evidence was plain that other Starlets were determined to make a bid, and a stern one, for the coveted position, and week by week their efforts have never been relaxed. The issue was in doubt amongst four till just before printing time. The winner is DOROTHY STANTON, 27, Clifton Street, Addington, with 224 marks, a marvellous achievement considering the steady opposition, and many of the marks were awarded by quarters and halves to make the contest more exciting. Dorothy’s list is as follows: Circle Artists, 30; Good Scribes, 35; Laurels, 6, 18; poems, 22 original, 3 copied, 69; stories, 11 original, 1 copied, 34; plays, 2 original, 6; extra marks for work, 32. Total marks, 224. t Second and third come Kathleen Turner and Brenda Payne, with the narrow margin of six marks only between them. These two are outstanding achievements, also. Kathleen’s list is as follows: Laurels 4, 12 marks; poems, 27 original, 2 copied, 83 marks; stories, 9 original, 1 copied, 28 marks; Good Scribes, 35; Circle Artists, 26; extra marks for puzzles, etc., 341. Total, 218:1 marks. Brenda’s list is: Circle Artists, 13; Good Scribes, 10; Laurels. 30. 90 marks; poems, 10 original, 14 copied, 44 marks; stories, 1 original, 3 marks; drawings, 3 original, 9 marks; riddles, 5 original, 15 marks. Serial and puzzles, etc., 214 marks. Total, 2114 marks. Next comes Lydia Laraman with her list, also a great piece of work: Circle Artists. 21; Good scribes, 27: Laurels 22, 66 marks; poems, 6 original, 16 copied, 34 marks; jokes. G; stories, 1 original, 4 copied, 7 marks; extras, 12 marks. Total, 173 marks. And from then on Starlets reach right down to those who have achieved only a little. Only those in the work have any idea of the effort made by these splendid Starlets. They have to be equally good at original prose and poem writing; they draw and write well; they solve puzzles and do anything and everything that appears in the pages from time to time. In the boys’ section Jack Payne leads with 992 marks, and Euan Retallick second with 694. Of the Coast Starlets, Myrtle Glenn is an easy first with 1322 marks, and Raymond Glenn heads the boys list with 664 marks. These are all very good accomplishments considering all the factors. “Aunt Hilda’s Special” this year is awarded to Lydia Laraman, who has made the best social effort, besides helping a great deal in the routine work of the page. Never a call for social service has gone out but that Lydia, though living in Rakaia. has been almost the first to answer, and her beautiful needlework and novel ideas have helped us more than most of you were aware. I feel that the progress these Starlets have made in their own selfdevelopment is the real prize, and any token they receive through the page is but a pleasant reminder of what they accomplished for themselves of their own free will. Who wins doesn’t really matter. What is vital is the fact that the effort has been made. Crowds started out on the race, but many dropped out and, as usual, the few remained to the last hurdle, and in that effort they have gained something that no one or nothing can take from them. To the winners, then, the heartiest congratulations: to the losers, no less hearty congratulations, for they have each done their level best. To those paddling along in the rear, stiffen up your backbones and have another try. Waste no time on envy but improve time with effort. Now wall the winner please write to the losers, and the losers (through the page) please write to the winners, and let us renew the friendly spirit of healthy rivalry. By Wednesday, please. And here’s a very hearty clap on the back to each and every trier! It’s been a wonderful journey together!