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Inspirational Voice Of Our Youth Tackle Courageous Topics
The voice of our youth was an inspiration for all at the club's annual Youth of the Year Australia competition last month.
Nine impressive senior high schoolers from Mitchelton State High School, Mt Maria College, Everton Park State High School, Padua College Kedron (Official) and St James College participated in the event held at the Kakowan Community Facility Bunya.
The competition sees each student submit an application and attend an interview by three volunteer judges. Further, they deliver answers to two impromptu questions, followed by a five-minute prepared speech to a live audience.
The students courageously tackled prepared speech topics ranging from bridging the gender pay gap, social media and the global water crisis to bodily autonomy and the importance of pain.
The Overall Winner on the day was St James College
Vice-Captain Keiriana Dargin-Clark who spoke about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. She will now compete in the zone final in the lead up to the State final in April.
The winner of the Public Speaking certificate was Everton Park State High School Sports Captain Lily Anderson.
The Club's Youth of the Year Chair, Ms Claire Grlj said interest from students entering the competition had increased considerably in 2023.
‘The students were willing to challenge themselves, and their reward is learning skills that will serve them as they attend job interviews, advocate for others and express their views socially or in the workplace.’
‘It’s a great opportunity for students to build their courage and usually, they go on to tackle bigger challenges.
‘We wish the overall winner Keiriana the best as she competes in the next level of the competition,’ Ms Grlj said.
About Youth of the Year: Each year, Lions Australia hosts the prestigious Youth of the Year public speaking program. The national competition is aimed at fostering leadership skills and other citizenship qualities to bring forth the next generation of outstanding young Australians.
