A 35-year public speaking tradition continued when the Belwood Lions Club hosted its annual effective speaking competition on March 5 at the Belwood Hall. Winners were, from left: Julia Gardiner, Intermediate French; Alexandria Fazekas, Intermediate English; Kolby Frankland, Junior English; and Shiloh Gitter, Junior French. Despite severe winter weather and a one-week postponement, 16 area students in Grades 4 to 8 from three area schools made presentations in English and French on a variety of topics. “When the dust settled and the judging completed, everyone was left amazed at what these young people accomplished,” officials stated. The intermediate section (Grades 7 and 8) included an impromptu segment in which each student prepared a two to three minute speech from a blind draw. The event was under the direction of co-chairs Denis Vinette and Ellie Montgomery, with the assistance of the rest of the club. The winners will go to the Lions District A-15 competition on March 30 in St. George. The results were as follows: Junior English: 1st, Kolby Frankland, East Garafraxa Public School; 2nd, Noella Mallany, John Black PS; 3rd, Alex Dickson, J. D. Hogarth PS. Junior French: 1st, Shiloh Gitter, J. D. Hogarth; 2nd, Isaac Turner, J. D. Hogarth. Intermediate English: 1st, Alexandria Fazekas, East Garafraxa; 2nd, Soraya Hummel, John Black; 3rd, Talia Sawyer, East Garafraxa. Intermediate French: 1st, Julia Gardner, J. D. Hogarth; 2nd, Allish O’Donnell, J.D. Hogarth. Submitted by Wayne Robson
