Despite the blizzard conditions on Sunday, 15 youth from across the Espanola, North Shore corridor and Manitoulin Island, that is Zone H3 of the Royal Canadian Legion, made it to Espanola to take part in the zone public speaking finals.
Some 80 people gathered at the Espanola Legion to hear presentations from four age divisions: Grades 1 to 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 9 and Grades 10 to 12.
From Video Games to Holy Batman to Monsters in my House and My Love of Skiing, the subjects were wide and varied.
They were judged on delivery, the material presented and their language and literacy form.
All entrants received a certificate, and the top three received medals with the top winners coming from Manitoulin Island.
Congratulations to those who move on to the next round of competition on March 24th: Grades 1-3 – Amber Brizuela from Mindemoya; Grades 4-6 – Amara Wilson-Zegil from Gore Bay; Grades 7-9 – Mason Leighton from Gore Bay; and Grades 10-12 – April Torkopoulos from Gore Bay.
Organizers included Martha Cunningham-Closs from Dowling to oversee the event; Judges Claire Desjardins, Lise Armstrong & Roz Russell; Time Keepers Ian Armstrong & Laura MacPherson and Scrutineers Bill & Judy Noon.Â
First place finishers will now go on to District finals, which will be held in Magnetawan-Dunkirk, Branch #394 on March 24th.
If they win there, they go onto provincials, then national finals.