Essays From Hester Banks, Gladys Lamm, Josie Barnes, J.M. Capps, April 2, 1919

From The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., April 1, 1919. The contest was sponsored by Wide Awake Wilson and open to white school children. Over 300 students submitted essays.

Prize winners in Memorial Building Contest

1^st Prize, Wilson Township, $5 and silver cup, Sarah McLean, Grade 10

1^st Prize, Wilson County, $5 and silver cup, Mamie Mercer, Tomlinson School, 8^th Grade, Black Creek, N.C.

2^nd Prize, Wilson Township, $2.50, Hester Banks, Wilson High School, Grade 9.

2^nd Prize, Wilson County, $2.50, Gladys Lamm, Lucama High School, 9^th Grade.

3^rd Prize, Wilson Township, $1, Josie Barnes, Wilson High School, Grade 9.

3^rd Prize, Wilson County, $1, J.M. Capps, Lucama High School, 10^th Grade.

2^nd Prize, Wilson Township—Hester Banks, Wilson High School, Grade 9

The first and most important reason for a Community Building is for a living and lasting memorial to our brave boys who have sacrificed their lives on the battlefields of France. By a living and lasting memorial we mean, a memorial that is ever active, and ready for service to the living, as well as being beautiful.

A memorial of this kind will be a great benefit to Wilson, both town and country. When mothers and children come into town from the country and are tired from a day’s shopping, it will be a joy and comfort to find a rest room, such as this community building will afford where they can be made comfortable as long as they desire.

Then it seems natural that each and every citizen in the country of Wilson should be anxious to contribute to this building—for our husbands, our brothers, our sons, our boys.

“Let us have a living memorial.” That is what they would say.

2^nd Prize, Wilson County—Gladys Lamm, Lucama High School, 9^th Grade

One of the most interesting movements of today in Wilson County is the erection of a memorial building. Wilson county needs nothing more than she needs this building. We should erect a community memorial building instead of a shaft, which will not only honor the soldiers but will be a benefit to future generations.

There is a great desire in Wilson for a rest room. She has no place to accommodate the women who go shopping. They need somewhere to go for rest and this will be the very place for them. The people can rest their minds from worries by reading good books which will be in the library.

The county is in need of an auditorium so that there may be a place for the gathering of the people.

What little we give in money is nothing compared with what our boys and girls have given. After seeing the needs why not contribute liberally to the building fund.

3^rd Prize, Wilson Township, Josie Barnes, Wilson High School, Grade 9

One of the greatest needs of Wilson at this time is a memorial community building. It will be not only in honor of our soldiers who fought so bravely that the world might be made safe for democracy, but it will be a comfort for those living in Wilson county. It will make the people of Wilson County more closely connected and make us feel more as if we were all of one family.

In this building there is to be a rest room, check room, and a nursery, all of which will be a great help to country people coming to Wilson to shop. There will also be an auditorium for public meetings. But last of all, and most interesting to me, is that there is to be a public library and a gymnasium.

It is my opinion that every one living in the country should contribute freely to the fund for this building because it is a county-wide movement and it will be a county-wide help and pleasure.

3^rd Prize, Wilson County, J.M. Capps, Lucama High School, 10^th Grade

I think that we should erect this building at Wilson for five reasons.

First. I think we should erect this building to show our love and honor to the boys of Wilson County that have fought and died for us. I think that there is no better way in showing our love for them.

Second. Because it is so convenient for the people of the county who go there to trade and especially to the women who have their children there with them.

Third. Because the gymnasium will help the boys and girls physically. And it will also be a great pleasure to them.

Fourth. Because the large auditorium will be a benefit to the people in carrying on business and also in public speaking and lecturing, and any other business that might occur.

Fifth. Because the library will give the children who have and cannot go to school a chance to study and read at home.