Laura named Youth of the Year

Woy Woy girl Laura Mineo has been named Lions Youth of the Year.

Sponsored by Lions Club of Narara Valley, Laura won the national title in Hobart on Tuesday, May 13.

The year 11 student from Henry Kendall High School also won the public speaking aspect of the competition.

For her national win, Laura received a trip to New Zealand and, for winning the NSW round of the competition, Laura won a trip around Australia.

As part of the competition, Laura spoke for five minutes about the preparation of the youth of today's world

She also made two two-minute impromptu speeches on the questions of "Do fashion designers have street credibility?" and "Do governments depend too much on gambling for revenue?"

Along with public speaking, the competition seeks a high level of academic, leadership, sporting and citizenship achievement.

Competitors must progress through club, zone, regional, district and state titles.

For the state titles, Laura competed against other state finalists, all year 12 students from private or selective high schools.

She not only won the State Youth of the Year title, but also won the public speaking competition.

At school, Laura also participates in cross country, athletics, kayaking, tennis, touch football, debating, theatrical performance, Mock United Nations assembly, Tournament of the minds, mock trial, peer mediation, sailing and other water sports, and plays clarinet at an advanced level.

She was part of Rotary Club's model United Nations Assembly on April 5, and is on the Senior Commonwealth Cup debating team for Henry Kendall.

Laura studies economics by distance education and is hoping to work in financial risk management when she leaves school, aiming for a cadetship with Price Waterhouse Coopers.

School Newsletter, May 16