LOCAL YOUTHS WIN CONTEST

The East Missouri District of Optimist International has announced that Megan Odneal of Ste. Genevieve and Champ Friend of Cape Girardeau are the Zone 3 winners of the Optimist International Oratorical Contest, one of the organization's largest service projects.

Odneal, 15, is the daughter of William and Mary Odneal and attends Valle Catholic High School in Ste. Genevieve. She won the girl's competition at the Optimist Club of Ste. Genevieve to qualify for the event.

Friend, 13, is the son of Charles and Maggie Friend and attends Nell Holcomb School in Cape Girardeau. He qualified through the Evening Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau.

The two will advance to the third level of competition for a chance to represent the region at the district finals in St. Louis. Both winners delivered original speeches on this year's topic, "Now is the Time."