Jessica wins Youth of the Year night

Year 12 student Jessica Mitchell from Woy Woy High School recently won the zone 1 public-speaking section in the Lion's Youth of The Year contest and was overall winner for the night,

Philip Bernie also from Woy Woy High School took second place. The students were eliminated in a later round.

Representing Woy Woy Lioness Club, Jessica was one of six Woy Woy High students who entered the competition.

She said: "First of all we had to fill out forms at school. We were then selected by our answers and had to attend the first interview."

The students were allocated 80 per cent of their points during the interview.

These were given for leadership, sporting, cultural and community interests, personality, general knowledge and academic achievement.

Jessica said she was asked five questions which involved the topic East Timor and her views on the United Nations and their part in mandatory sentencing.

The remaining 20 per cent of points were allocated according to the student's public-speaking ability.

She said: "We were given two impromptu questions on the night. The first question required us to speak about heroin injecting rooms and whether or not they save lives. The second question was to comment on the statement 'Children should be seen and not heard'."

Each student was required to speak for two minutes on each question, and later on in the night gave a five-minute prepared speech.

Mrs. Willingham from Woy Woy High said that Jessica gave a moving speech on health care, using the example of her very ill grandfather.

Jessica and Philip then competed in the regional finals of the contest at Central Coast Leagues Club. Both performed very well but the competition proved tough and they were beaten on the night.

Jessica enjoyed the contest.

She said: "It gives young people the opportunity to improve their public-speaking skills and to have their views and opinions heard."

Amanda Jackson, April 9