General News
1 March, 2024
C’down Lions proud of YotY participants
THE Lions Club of Camperdown held its Youth of the Year contest on Tuesday, February 13, with five contestants vying for the title.
Competitors were Sophie Conheady, Matilda Kealley and Veronica Wyss from Mercy Regional College and Ebony Pearce and Riley Stephenson from Camperdown College.
The contestants were interviewed by judges Narelle Fitzgerald, Tony Dupleix and Kate Schlicht that morning, with the results of the interviews contributing up to 70 points to their scores.
The final 30 points were available in the evening public speaking part of the contest, which consists of answering two impromptu questions and presenting a five-minute prepared speech of choice.
Contestants were asked what they thought their major challenges will be for the next 10 years, as well as where they would like to go in the world and why.
The contestants then presented their five-minute speeches to an audience of school representatives, families, friends, Lions members and the general public.
The winner was Ebony Pearce, with her prepared speech on ‘Change’.
Camperdown College marketing officer Sophie Hinkley said the school extended its congratulations to Ebony on her win.
“Our School Captains Ebony Pearce and Riley Stephenson represented our school at the Lions Youth of the Year competition this week, with Ebony taking home the overall prize for the local club,” she said.
“Ebony was awarded the overall winner from the combined scores in the three categories ”
The judges stated that they were very impressed by all the contestants at their interviews, with their comprehensive applications, general knowledge and breadth of interests.
The students performed very well, and their efforts were appreciated by all who attended.
Chairman of judges Tony Dupleix congratulated all contestants, saying the competition was extremely close and very difficult for the judges.
“They (the judges) were delighted with the amount of work put into and content of the prepared speeches,” he said.
Ebony then progressed to the Regional Final, which was held in Camperdown, where she competed against fellow Club Final winners from other Lions clubs.
The Regional Final winning student progresses to the District Final being held in Camperdown on March 23, with winners then competing at the State Final at Maryborough on April 27 then National Final at Darwin in May.
Lions Youth of the Year co-ordinator Jan Smith extended congratulations to the contestants.
“Thanks to school staff and families for helping to make the contest a success, and to MC Lion Colin Hayman for his conduct of the evening,” she said.
The judges were also thanked for their generosity in giving their time and expertise to the contest.