‘Finally a win for 202L!’

Young Speechmakers (from left) ManishaSaini, Thomas Moss and Oscar Shaw. Photo courtesy of Peter Knox


By PDG Brian Quinlan, Ngaruawahia Lions Club

A contingent of loyal supporters from 202L were on hand to witness a contestant from their District finally take first place in the national final of NZ Lions Clubs 2012 Young Speechmaker Contest.

After three years of providing the runner-up, the joy and excitement was evident by the noise created in the auditorium after the announcement that District 202L had provided the third place-getter and the winner in this year’s competition.

The contest, with national Speechmaker co-ordinator Kerry Beach presiding, was held on Saturday 18 August in front of a small but appreciative audience of approximately 100 Lions, family and friends inside the Performing Arts Centre at Botany Downs Secondary College in Howick, Auckland, hosted by the Lions Club of Bucklands Beach. The audience listened intently to the 15 inspirational young adults, who shared their thoughts and provided an array of emotions  as they delivered prepared speeches on subjects ranging from the challenges of life, discrimination, child abuse, achieving dreams, social justice, birth order and love.

The event is open to all youth from within Multiple District 202, and offers a first prize of a six-week, all-expenses-paid trip to Canada and the USA, second prize of a trip to Australia, both generously sponsored by International Entertainment NZ Limited, and third prize of a place at the International Youth Camp at Lake Okataina in Rotorua.

After listening to the vast array of topics and an impromptu speech titled “Leaders are born not made”, these extraordinary young speakers made it extremely difficult for the three judges to decide on the placings, made evident by the time it took for them to return to the auditorium. Once again the head judge, Patricia Jellyman, remarked on the lack of media coverage and the need to enhance, promote and support our youth. She congratulated all of the parents, teachers and supporters and said how proud they should be of their outstanding achievements and encouraged all of the participants to re-enter the competition next year. 
Winner Thomas Moss, an 18-year-old student at St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton who was sponsored by the Lions Club of Hamilton-Chartwell, delivered a fantastic insight on the plight of being born with ginger hair.

Second place went to a contestant from Lions District 202M, Oscar Shaw, a 17-year-old student at Wellington College. Sponsored by the Lions Club of Karori, Oscar entertained us with his outlook on achieving your dreams.

The third place-getter, a student at Tokoroa High School, was the youngest in the competition at 16 years old.ManishaSaini, sponsored by the Lions Club of Tokoroa and Districts, spoke passionately on a personal tragedy and the choices in life. 

Another very entertaining competition came to a close, and after many photos and the singing of the national anthem led by a former contestant KeinanNgapo, everyone left with a sense that our future is in good hands with the calibre of leadership evident in the group of young adults who delivered their messages to us during the day.

Please note that documentation for the 2013 Young Speechmaker competition can be downloaded by clicking the links at right.