V. School Relations
The Virginia High School Literary and Athletic League has been conducting
interscholastic literary and athletic contests in Virginia schools
since 1913. The operation and control of the League is shared by the Extension
Division, representatives elected by the schools in all sections of
the state, and two supervisors of the State Board of Education. All public
high schools of the state are eligible for membership in the League, while
the private preparatory schools are invited to participate as a distinct class
in some of the athletic and literary contests.
In athletics, the program of contests includes football, basketball, baseball,
tennis, and track; in literary work, debate, public speaking, public
reading, essay, verse, short story, and publications. For determination of
championships schools are classified according to size and divided into districts
according to location. A large number of prizes is awarded annually
to the schools winning the contests.
Local or intra-school competition is also sponsored. Through the cooperation
of the Richmond Times-Dispatch gold, silver, and bronze medals
are awarded to pupils who achieve certain athletic standards or win school
literary contests.
In the fall of 1926 the League received an endorsement from the
schools it serves in an almost unanimous vote of principals approving a
plan of membership fees to be used for the expansion of League activities.
The Annual Report of the Extension Division contains a detailed account
of the League for 1925-1926.
