Seven Yerington High School juniors and seniors competed in the Lions Club Speak Up Contest on January 31, 2023 at the Yerington Lion’s Club. The topic was “How can America find unity during these polarizing times?” and speeches were each timed to be between 5-10 minutes.
The purpose of the Lions Club Speak Up Contest is 3 fold: To provide an opportunity for scholarships for competitive public speaking among high school aged students on a subject of interest to the contestants and Lion’s members; To stimulate self-expression and independent thinking; and To provide scholarship opportunities for students’ advancement.
Originally, 50 students in Mrs. Aldridge’s Honors English Classes wrote speeches addressing the given topic. Of those 50 students, 7 students were chosen by teachers and Lions Club Members to deliver their speeches at the locally renowned contest.
Michael Giorgi, President of the Yerington Lions Club, was the moderator for the Speak Up Contest.
The 5 people judging this competition were John Garry, Karen Pedersen, Mindy Flaar, Eric Bodenstein, and Joe Baptist. These judges had a very difficult task as they listened to 7 outstanding speeches that each of these finalists spent hours writing, refining, and practicing.
YHS Jumpstart student, Lily Trunk, is the local winner and will be moving on to the zone competition February 28th at the Yerington Lion’s Club.
Students from left to right are Savannah Draper, Trinity Ricketts, Loretta Webb, Maria Urena, Riley Aldridge, Lily Trunk, and Michael Alvarez:
First place winner, Lily Trunk accepts her award from Lions Club president Michael Giorgi:
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