Thorndale Lions host Effective Speaking competition

Pictured from left to right are Thorndale Lions member Kevin Smith with Effective Speaking competitors Damien Phan, Madi McCutcheon, Ila Gill, Brinsley Brown, Penn Cole and Ryan Pickel.

By Nancy Abra

The Thorndale Lions held their Effective Speaking competition for area students at their Wednesday, Feb. 18 meeting.

This competition is part of the International Lions Clubs Multiple District A Ontario and Quebec Lions Clubs contest. It is the largest effective speaking contest held throughout Canada in both languages.

For over 36 years, the Thorndale Lions Club has hosted this annual student speech competition with the goal to provide students of the community an opportunity in competitive public speaking and self-expression. There were six students from West Nissouri Public School chosen to compete in this contest. For the junior division, grades four to six, Brinsley Brown, Penn Cole and Ryan Pickel competed. Damien Phan, Madi McCutcheon and Ila Gill represented the intermediate division for grades seven and eight.

The topic of their speeches was the student’s choice. Each student in their allotted time delivered their speech in front of a panel of judges, Thorndale Lions members and the students’ parents.

The first- and second-place speakers, Cole and Pickel of the junior division, and Gill and Phan of the intermediate division, will move on to the Lions District A-1 competition. This event is hosted by the Thorndale Lions and will take place on March 8 at 1 p.m. at the Thorndale Lions Community Centre.