GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - “How Can Kindness Reunite Our Country?”  This was the topic of the annual speech contest sponsored by California Lions Clubs Multiple District Four.

High school students from Gridley and Biggs were invited to participate in the local speech contest.  Mike Dahl, Gridley Lions Speech Contest Chairman, said in 2015 Brennah Payne of Gridley won at the District Level.  Two Yuba City students won at the State Level in 2005 and 2007.  This year four students from GHS competed in the local contest, February 9, 2022, at the Lion’s Den on Washington Street. Evelyn Haro won the speech contest and earned $100 and will go on to the Zone contest on March 9, 2022.  Jaskaran Gakhal, Helen Bump and Audrey Johnson received $25 and certificates.  Non-seniors can compete again next year. Local people were invited to be impartial judges.

At the club level the winner earns $100 and each participant wins $25.  The winner goes on to the Zone contest with the winner earning $150.  That winner progresses to the Region contest and wins $250.  Then on to the District Contest where 15 winners each receive $4,500 scholarships.  These winners go on to the Area Contest where 4 winners receive additional scholarships in the amount of $6,500 each. These four winners go to the Final State Contest, the winner receives a $10,000 scholarship. The Final winner will have gathered $21,500 at the end of the competition.

Students are encouraged to pursue the finer points of public speaking in their speeches as well as thoughtful insights into the topic. The purpose of the contest is to help students speak to topics chosen by the Lions Clubs throughout California.  The topics chosen are important to the students and to their society.  It also encourages thoughtful ideas that support democracy and critical thinking toward present and future world problems. The topic changes every year.  Each year all Lions in California are encouraged to put forth timely topics for the students to consider.