III. 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 now shared by the Extension Division with
representatives elected by the schools in all sections of the state, and with 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 1926-1927 by action of the Legislative Council of the League, membership
dues were inaugurated. During the school year 1927-1928, 167 public high schools
of the state became members—9 in the Class A, or large city group; 43 in Class B,
or intermediate city group; and 115 of the Class C, or county school group.
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.
In 1927-1928, six pennants and seven banners were awarded to winners of district
athletic titles; and fifty bronze and silver trophies were awarded to schools
whose representatives were successful in state and class literary and athletic
championships. These trophies are awarded to the school and not to the individual
representative. Eighty-seven state monograms were awarded at the state interscholastic
track meet and final literary contests.
A basketball tournament in the fall for county schools and a state track meet
and tennis tournament and the final state literary contests in May bring together
a large and select group of high school students.
Local or interschool competition is also sponsored. Through the co-operation
of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, 345 gold, 187 silver and 311 bronze medals
were awarded in the past year to pupils who achieved certain athletic standards
or were winners in local literary activities.
