Lions Youth of the Year Club Final 2008

On Wednesday February 20^th Edwardstown held its Club final of the Youth of the Year at the Marion Hotel. The 3 Judges were Belinda Sugars, a mortgage Consultant, Damian Young, a chemical Engineer and Mark Hogan a Manager for the National Bank of Australia, our sponsors. The three Students, Amanda Stewart from Hamilton Secondary College, Damian Sturm from Immanuel and Lauren Guscott from Tabor Christian College had previously been interviewed on Sunday regarding their Academic, Community Service and Sporting involvement and Wednesday night was the Public Speaking Section. The two impromptu questions put separately to each student were

1        If you were giving a party which 3 people would you invite first and why.

2        What steps would you take deter drugs entering your school.

Each answered differently but well.

52 family, teachers, friends and Lions then enjoyed dinner, looking forward to the Prepared Speeches. Damian’s subject was “Motivation and Determination” about what keeps him enthusiastic, Amanda discussed the looming problems of “Childhood Obesity” and Lauren told us how the “40hr Famine” helps World Vision, feed and educate children in the 3^rd World. Lion Kevin Petheric acted as M/C, putting the students at their ease and adding some humour to the evening.

The Judges then had the very difficult job of deciding on the winner but eventually declared Lauren Guscott best Public Speaker and Damian Sturm the Club Youth of the Year winner who will go on to the Region Final on March 16^th at Blackwood High School

Certificates, Cheques, Y of Y Pens and Badges were presented to each of the Students by President Ian and then the Students presented the Judges with a gift and framed certificate expressing our appreciation for their time and effort. All attending departed happy in the knowledge that our future lies in safe hands, if these students are an example of our young people.

We all wish them success in their chosen careers                                               Lion Sonja Reed.

           Mark Hogan, Damian, Damian Young &               Belinda Sugars

Amanda, Lauren & Damian with Mark Hogan

        Amanda, Lauren & Damian

          President Ian & Damian Sturm

Kevin Petherick MC