Annual 4-Way Speech Contest

Cece argued for increasing the ranks of women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), citing reasons why the dearth of females in these professions could actually hold back progress and breakthroughs important to mankind.   Sydney advocated for better education and cultural exchange programs to encourage global citizenry as a way of countering radical nationalism.  By thinking and acting with a global sensibility, she argued,  we would be more able to foster peaceful resolutions to worldly problems.  Judges Dick Marchick, Linda Delehunt and Barbara Bontemps convened to determine who would prevail in this year’s contest.  Both students were so well-spoken that a tie was preferred by the judges, but rules dictated that a winner must be chosen.  Sydney Mays was thus selected as this year’s winner.  Her prize was a $300 check, with runner-up Cece receiving $200.  Sydney will go on to compete among the “Fab Five” Rotaries (Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette, Lamorinda Sunrise and Rossmoor) and, if she wins, at the District level later in the Spring.