Lions host annual public speaking contest

Hamilton High senior Elizabeth Williams, 17, recently won the District 4 of the California Lions Club's 76th annual Student Speaker Contest.

Williams topic was "How we create and keep jobs in America."

"The purpose of the contest is to provide an opportunity for competitive public speaking among students on a subject of vital interest to the contestants and to the American people as a whole, said Casey Dunning, Zone Chairman and past-president of the Chico Lions Breakfast Club. "The contest helps to stimulate self-expression and independent thinking."

Willows High School senior Michaela Biggs, 18, also competed.

Judges scored the speeches on originality, speaking ability and quality of material.

The contest was held Saturday at Hamilton High School.

Williams won $100 and will be eligible to advance in the 76th annual regional competition.

The winner will advance to the district level competition where 15 students will be awarded $4,500 in scholarships.

The final contest is the national competition in which the winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship.

Altogether, the Lions clubs award $20,000 in scholarships.

Williams plans to attend Butte College in the fall to become a physician's assistant.