The contest is open to students in Year 12 and consists of a public speaking competition and an interview to ascertain student achievement and community involvement.
The competition is judged by local volunteers and business leaders, which this year included Mr David Harrison (retired Rivalea Production Manager), and Mrs Helen Reynoldson (retired educator).
This year’s participants were Rebecca Carroll, Lachlan McKenzie and Amy Wenke who all provided fierce competition and entertainment for the Corowa Lions Club members and supporters in attendance at the event dinner.
After an exciting contest, Lachlan McKenzie was awarded the title of Corowa Lions Club Youth of the Year and Rebecca Carroll won the public speaking competition.
Lachlan will now go on to represent Corowa Lions Club and Corowa High School at the regional final later in the year.
The Lions Youth of the Year program was established more than 50 years ago with the objective of developing and honing participants’ skills associated with interview technique, personal interaction, networking, public speaking and ‘thinking on your feet’.
The program promotes leadership, personal improvement, sportsmanship, citizenship, community involvement and public speaking and is aimed at all young people who seek to improve their skills before entering the workforce or other endeavours.
Youth of the Year Chairman Chris Johnston thanked the judges and timekeepers for assisting with the event and praised the students for their efforts.
“It was a very productive and enjoyable event,” Mr Johnston said.
“It was more important than ever for the Lions Club to have this event this year because students have not been able to participate in public speaking and leadership events because of the pandemic.
“It was a valuable experience for the students, and they all did really well.”
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