George Washington High School Alumni
Indianapolis, Indiana (IN)
Alumni Stories
Charlotte Todd Linge
Class of 1955
Washington High School Poetry Contest in 1953I
Each class member in Ms. Wood's English Class was required to recite a poem of his/her choice as a class assignment. Little did we know that several of us would be chosen to enter the poetry contest after we recited the poem.
Recotomg poetry twas my least favorite activity when I was fifteen years of age, but my friend Clara Goodin Tate patiently listened to my recite Longfellow's "Hiawatha" as we walked to school daily. It was about an Indian poem who was fishing for a "King of Fishes." I think Clara knew the poem before I did from my daily recitations of "Forth upon the Gichegoome, on the swinging big sea was er, forth to catch the sturgeon, Name, Mishiname, King of Fishes."
Unfortunately, Ms. Wood selected me along with two other students to recite the poem at the annual poetry contest on the stage at Washington High School. Longfellow was probably turning over in his grave at my version of his poem. I hardly expected to have to stand up in the auditorium to recite this narrative poem.
If any one still remembers the anguish pf recotomg poetry outlaid in front of an audience of fellow students, you will understand my reluctance .
I wonder if students still have to recite poems in English class, some 60 years later. If you do, then you will understand why, to this very day, I cringe at the mention of "Hiawatha", as an example of most embarrassing moments in high school.
Ms. Wood, I commend you for encouraging your students to recite poetry, but in a contest with other st dents? What an ordeal. And what chance tit Hiawatha have of winning this contest with a very shy and reluctant student reciting, "through the clear transparent water, he could see the fishes swimming!"?
I wanted to be anywhere else besides the auditorium stage at Washington High School that spring.
Yes, I still think of that time today in 2018. Thankful for my good friend Clara Goodin who listened so patiently to that poem each day as we walked to school.
I am also thankful thatI did not win the best recitation of that poetry contest.
Each class member in Ms. Wood's English Class was required to recite a poem of his/her choice as a class assignment. Little did we know that several of us would be chosen to enter the poetry contest after we recited the poem.
Recotomg poetry twas my least favorite activity when I was fifteen years of age, but my friend Clara Goodin Tate patiently listened to my recite Longfellow's "Hiawatha" as we walked to school daily. It was about an Indian poem who was fishing for a "King of Fishes." I think Clara knew the poem before I did from my daily recitations of "Forth upon the Gichegoome, on the swinging big sea was er, forth to catch the sturgeon, Name, Mishiname, King of Fishes."
Unfortunately, Ms. Wood selected me along with two other students to recite the poem at the annual poetry contest on the stage at Washington High School. Longfellow was probably turning over in his grave at my version of his poem. I hardly expected to have to stand up in the auditorium to recite this narrative poem.
If any one still remembers the anguish pf recotomg poetry outlaid in front of an audience of fellow students, you will understand my reluctance .
I wonder if students still have to recite poems in English class, some 60 years later. If you do, then you will understand why, to this very day, I cringe at the mention of "Hiawatha", as an example of most embarrassing moments in high school.
Ms. Wood, I commend you for encouraging your students to recite poetry, but in a contest with other st dents? What an ordeal. And what chance tit Hiawatha have of winning this contest with a very shy and reluctant student reciting, "through the clear transparent water, he could see the fishes swimming!"?
I wanted to be anywhere else besides the auditorium stage at Washington High School that spring.
Yes, I still think of that time today in 2018. Thankful for my good friend Clara Goodin who listened so patiently to that poem each day as we walked to school.
I am also thankful thatI did not win the best recitation of that poetry contest.
Recent Members
| Christine Taylor | 1977 |
| Jack Springer | 1967 |
| Jimmy Jeremy Cheatham | 2012 |
| Paul Marlow | 1963 |
| Randy West | 1968 |
| Sara Hammer | 2019 |
| Shannon Shannon Martin | 1975 |
| Tammy Bland | 1986 |
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Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!