The Penola Lions Club Youth of the Year competition was held at the high school recently with Shelley Crawford claiming back-to-back wins.


Four participants from Penola High School competed in this year’s program as Charlie Jean Denton, Tara Vosnak and Tylah Burr joined Shelley in the competition.


Year 12 student Shelley was judged the overall final winner and she also won the public speaking section.


Judges were Winsley Wighton, Simon Cox and Helen Edwards.


Participants were interviewed by judges earlier in the day and were allocated points.


That evening the club final was then held where contestants were required to give a prepared five-minute speech on the topic of their choice.


Shelley spoke on the topic ‘There needs to be more support in regional areas for young people dealing with mental health issues and navigating grief’.


Following a short break, contestants were then given two impromptu questions from the judges.


Shelley will now go on to represent Penola at the next level in the regional final on March 6 at the Mount Gambier RSL.