District Speech Contest- 2008

                                                                                             From left to right: Tyler Durrance – third place winner, Dennis Griffin –

                                                                      Headmaster at Lake Placid Christian School, Morgan Lott –

                                                                      contest participant, Victoria Caraballo– contest participant,

                                                                      Meghan Lollis – second place winner and Alana Nielander – first place winner.

The 2008 Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District Speaking Contest was held April 8 at the Agri-Civic Center.

The 2008 subject was, “What is the Future of Florida’s Renewable Energies?”  Five speakers competed in the District Contest. 

First-place contestant, Alana Nielander was presented a cash prize of $150.00; the $100.00 prize went to second-place contestant, Meghan Lollis and $50.00 to third-place contestant, Tyler Durrance.  All contestants attend school at Lake Placid Christian School.

The Speaking Contest educates the public on soil and water conservation needs.  It also provides valuable experience to our young speakers who, conceivably, could become our future leaders.   The students were all great and it was hard for the judges to pick just three for the prizes.  Many thanks to Erin McCarta for keeping time and to our three judges, Mark Clifford, Cheryl Moffat and Michelle Skyers.

Area Speech Contest - 2008

                                                                   Speech winner Justin Smiley of Okeechobee, Gregg Hartt - HSWCD

                                                                   Supervisor and Alana Nielander  - Highlands County - second place winner.

Justin Smiley of Okeechobee County and Alana Nielander of Highlands County competed for first place in the Area Speech Contest that was held on May 6, 2008.  The speech subject was the same as the District's - “What is the Future of Florida’s Renewable Energies?”  Justin won first place and will go to the state contest in August.