University of Virginia Library

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, 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 1926-1927 by action of the Legislative Council of the League, membership
dues were inaugurated and 162 public high schools of the state became
members—9 in the Class A, or large city group; 37 in Class B, or intermediate
city group; and 116 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 1926-1927, fourteen pennants and five banners were
awarded to winners of district athletic titles; and forty-two 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, and must be
won in two successive years for permanent ownership.

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 intraschool competition is also sponsored. Through the co-operation
of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, 234 gold, 225 silver and 94 bronze
medals were awarded in the past year to pupils who achieved certain athletic
standards or were winners in local literary activities.