KLIM, GIBBS WIN NOON OPTIMISTS' CONTEST

The Jackson Noon Optimists' annual Oratorical Contest was held Feb. 13, at Delmonico's .

Ten young people expressed their thoughts and views on the topic "We Are The Future." A panel of judges evaluated the speeches based upon the criteria: content of speech, delivery and presentation, and overall effectiveness.

In the girls' division, first place went to Nicole Klim, a student at R.O. Hawkins Junior High School. Second place went to Rachel Lowes, and third place went to Lisa Steffens, both students at St. Paul Lutheran.

In the boys' competition, first place went to Justin Gibbs and second place went to Danny Bono, both students at Hawkins. Third place went to Alex Skelton, a student at St. Paul Lutheran.

First place winners Klim and Gibbs will advance to the zone contest at 7 p.m., March 17, at the Community Room at the Jackson City Library. The zone winners will go to the regional competition, then to the district level.

Winners at the district level will receive a $1,500 scholarship. The oratorical contest is the longest-running program sponsored by Optimist International and is designed to inspire today's youths, 15 and younger, to motivate and inform others through the art of public speaking.

The six girls contestants were Klim, Amanda Craven, Cheryl Lichtenegger, Kia Thomas, Lowes, and Steffens. The four boys were Bono, Gibbs, Adam Ross, and Skelton.