GUNNEDAH High School student Nicola Bruce was declared the overall winner of the 2014 Lions National Bank Australia Youth of the Year Quest, with fellow classmate Kassidy Lamey winning the award for public speaking.
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Four students from Gunnedah High School and two from St Mary’s College faced the judges at a dinner meeting last Wednesday in the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club auditorium as the second round of the two-part process to decide a winner.
The first part was an interview on the Monday, worth 80 per cent of the total score, which included the questions: “Tell us what you think about the current Ebola crisis, and the response of Australia and other nations in providing assistance”; “What do you think are the benefits and risks of legalising marijuana for medical purposes?”; and “Should the local mayor be elected by the people rather than the councillors?”
Accompanied by family and supporters, the contestants presented a prepared speech on Wednesday night and answered two impromptu questions, “Should the burqua be banned?”, and “Are fast food and fitness mutually exclusive?”.
Judges Jo Tibbs, Dot Bartlett, Gwen Brett and Lisa Hagley had a difficult task, with each student performing well.
The prepared speeches varied in topics, with public speaking winner Kassidy Lamey discussing “Mental health and depression”, while overall winner Nicola Bruce spoke on “Perfection”.
Mitchell Brandon spoke on “Inequities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians”, while Meg Jaeger spoke on “How we can learn from our children to be happy”.
St Mary’s student Charlee Waterford gave her views on “Taking responsibility”, and classmate Ellen Heath spoke on “Do your grades define your intelligence?”
Judge Jo Tibbs said the judges took a while to deliver.
“It was a tight decision in the end,” Mrs Tibbs said.
“We were very impressed with the prepared speeches – they were interesting and engaging.
“We were also impressed with the entertainment factor of each speech.”
After much discussion, Nicola Bruce was chosen as the overall winner.
“Nicola’s speech on perfection was good and she scored well in the interviews on Monday,” Mrs Tibbs said.
“She was very consistent in her answers to the questions as well.”
Nicola will now progress to regional level to be held in Gunnedah on March 7, where she will compete against the winners from Moree, Narrabri, Boggabri, Wee Waa and Mungindi.
The overall prize for the nationals to be held next year is a sponsored trip to America.
Judges said public speaking winner Kassidy Lamey showed her experience on stage.
“She is a very good public speaker, she maintained eye contact, very good entertaining voice and was engaging throughout,” Mrs Tibbs said.
Lions Youth of the Year sponsor, the National Australia Bank, was represented by Sarah Ranclaud, who presented the trophy and certificates.
Lions Youth of the Year chairman Neville Adams said the students were a credit to their parents and their schools.
“I’d like to say the youth of Gunnedah are an inspiration to the community,” Mr Adams said.
“The schools and parents should be complimented by their achievements.
“It takes a great deal of courage to enter these quests.”
Youth of the Year is designed to encourage student interest in leadership and the qualities required to take an active and constructive role in the community.
A high level of academic, leadership, sporting, public speaking and citizenship achievement is sought in its potential winners.