LOCAL YOUTHS WIN ORATORICAL CONTEST

The East Missouri District of the Optimist International announced that two Jackson youths are zone winners of the Optimist International Oratorical Contest, one of the organization's largest service projects.

The winners, Matthew Edwards and Erin Friedrich, will now advance to the district contest where each will compete for a $1,500 scholarship. The youths delivered a speech to a panel of Optimist judges on the topic, "I Can Make A Difference."

This is the 55th year for the contest. Annually, more than $150,000 in scholarships are awarded to Oratorical Contest winners across North America.