March 15, 2005 > Niles Rotary Speech Contest

by Steve Collins

On Feb. 24 Niles Rotary Club hosted the Richard D. King Annual Youth Speech Contest for students from Washington and Fremont Christian High Schools. The contest theme reflected the 100-year anniversary of Rotary, and the students' speeches addressed the theme of "Century builders building bridges."

The students spoke about topics such as how Rotary, as a service club, is benefiting our society here in Fremont and abroad, with projects ranging from homeless assistance, to tsunami relief, to polio eradication. Natasha Dagys of Fremont Christian High School, was awarded first place. She will go on to the Fremont area level speech contest, which will be at noon on March 24, at Washington West. Natasha will be competing against students from the other six Rotary clubs in Fremont and Newark.

Speech contest chairman, Steve Collins, commented, "It's so impressive to hear these young people in our community articulate the many benefits from service projects, and to hear how the world celebrates Rotary in its centennial year. The area level Speech Contest will highlight the best of the best high school speakers in our community; it should be exciting."