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Students Speak Out Loud: Contestants motivate and inform others through public speaking contest
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Competitors in the Windsor Optimist Club's Oratorical Contest compare notes before the competition Thursday evening at the Poudre REA Building. Back: Kalysha Chandler (left) and Kyandra Chandler (right). Front: Amanda Field (left) and John Francis.
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Jennifer Moore, (Bio) jmoore@mywindsornow.com
March 22, 2008
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If you asked any contestant in the Windsor Optimist's Club fourth annual Oratorical Contest "Why you?"
Oratorical- Secondary (A2): The male competitors in the Windsor Optimist Club's Oratorical Contest pose together Thursday evening. From left: Christian Cox, Alexander Standard, John Francis and Matthew Slade.
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They all would have replied "Why Not?"
The 15 contestants, four boys and 11 girls, proved through a prepared speech they could do anything if they put their mind to it. They presented to a large audience Thursday evening at the Poudre REA Building in west Windsor.
The female competitors in the Windsor Optimist Club's Oratorical Contest pose for a picture before the contest began Thursday evening. Back row, from left: Erica Limstrom, Dakota Wilson, Samantha Payne, Calie Clevenger and Rachel Tanner. Front row, from left: Kalysha Chandler, Jenna Fischer, Ansley Carver, Amanda Field, Kyandra Chandler and Elysia Lucas.
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The contest was limited to 20 students under the age of 16. They were to write and speak for four to five minutes on the topic "Why me, why not?"
Some students talked about pollution and taking care of the earth, while others talked about personal experiences in the foster care system, being adopted and living with diabetes.
Some of the competitors have a bite to eat before the speeches begin. From left: Samantha Payne, Calie Clevenger and Rachel Tanner.
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Judges graded the students on poise, content of speech, delivery and presentation and overall effectiveness. In the end, they selected the winners: Grandview Elementary fifth-grader John Francis for his speech on inventing the flying car, and Skyview Elementary fifth-grader Kyandra Chandler after she talked about becoming an Olympic runner.
"When they said first place, Ky Chandler, my jaw dropped open and I could not believe it," Kyandra, 11, said.
Optimist member Dr. Robert Bradley helped organize and run the contest. He said the purpose of the evening was to inspire youth to motivate and inform others through public speaking.
Bradley said judging came down to one or two points in determining the winner.
"I was impressed with the variety and the originality of the speeches," Bradley said. "I really enjoyed watching the kids participate, show themselves and grow a little bit."
John, 11, said he was selected by his Grandview teachers to participate in the contest. He was coached by Grandview media specialist, Jill Stoffer, and practiced with his school mate Amanda Field, who also participated in the contest.
"I guess I got elected because I talk too much," he said with a laugh, "(but) it was really fun and I'm glad I came."
The majority of the speakers said the hardest part was planning and writing out the speech.
"It took forever," John said. "I sat there one afternoon and got just the outline done. It was hard and I think I wrote a draft about three times."
Other contestants said practicing the speech was hard because of the time limit.
"My speech first started at 3 minutes and 21 seconds and then it went back down again. It was up and down and up and down," Kyandra said.
When it was all over, each speaker took something different away from the competition.
"What I learned most is that I can do more than I thought I could," John said. "I really think everyone should try this at least once."
Amanda said this won't be the first or last time she will have to come up with a speech.
"I know in middle school I'll have to say a bunch of speeches so this was just some practice," she said. "This was great to help build your confidence."
John and Kyandra will perfect their speeches and travel to Fort Morgan on April 12 to compete in the Northern Colorado zone competition. The winners of the zone will then compete at the Colorado/Wyoming District contest in May for a $1,500 scholarship.
Breakout: 2008 Windsor Optimist Club Oratorical Contest
Boys:
1st Place: John Francis
2nd Place: Christian Cox
3rd Place: Alexander Standard
Other Contestants: Matthew Slade
Girls
Ist Place: Kyandra Chandler
2nd Place: Elysia Lucas
3rd Place: Samantha Payne
Other Contestants: Kalysha Chandler, Amanda Field, Ansley Carver, Jenna Fischer, Rachel Tanner, Erica Limstrom, Dakota Olson and Calie Clevenger.
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