After several weeks of competition within Lions Clubs across the South Australian C2 district, four young people emerged as the best and competed for the Public Speaking and Youth of the Year awards.
The competitors were Jorja Mules of Kingston Lions representing the Upper South East, Callum McIntyre of Mount Gambier Lions representing the Lower South East, Nikki Pfitzner of Berri representing the Riverland and Leo French of Brighton representing Adelaide Metropolitan region.
All four young people acquitted themselves admirably, handling the impromptu questions in their own style.
Impromptu questions included “If society collapsed, which one person (real or fictional) would you want to team up with to survive? and “Why do you think that women’s sporting events, for example, AFL, cricket and the recent World Cup, are increasing in popularity?”
Each participant also presented a five-minute speech on a topic of their choice.
The audience was enthralled by the range of topics and the passion of the presentations.
After all presentations were given the Lions Public Speaking award went to Mount Gambier local Callum McIntyre.
The Youth of the Year award runner up was Jorja Mules and the winner was Leo French.
Both Jorja and Leo now progress to the State competition to be held in Nuriootpa on April 13 at the Vine Inn.
They will compete against two other young people from the C1 district, also in South Australia.
The winner from this event will progress to the national level, which will be held at the Lions Multiple District Convention in Darwin in May of this year.
The Lions Youth of the Year program has a proud history in encouraging and fostering leadership skills in Australian students approaching the end of their high school years.
By emphasising qualities like contribution to the community and school, public speaking, academic skills and sporting and cultural involvement, Youth of the Year aims to bring forth the next generation of outstanding young Australians.
Visit www.lionsclubs.org.au/our-programs/youth-opportunities/youth-of-the-year to leaarn more.
