Save the date and bring your family and friends to this year's Speech Trek contest on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 starting at 6 PM at the Mariposa County High School Fiester Auditorium, sponsored by the American Association of University Women, Mariposa branch.
The AAUW California region’s annual Speech Trek competition is open to all high school students. It starts on the branch level with a speech tournament for local students and culminates with three top statewide finalists performing their five-minute speeches at the AAUW California convention in April. This is Mariposa AAUW’s fifth year competing and the branch has had a third place winner at the state level.
(Pictured l to r): 2015 AAUW Speech Trek winners Claire Gorham, First Place; Leah LaForte, Second Place; Natalie Marquez-Solorzano, Third Place. Ms. Gorham went on to win fifth place in the state competition.
Mariposa AAUW currently has 8 students working with AAUW coaches on perfecting content and delivery of 5 to 6 minute speeches on the topic, “Gender Bias and Inequality.” Students must address what these terms mean, what impact they have on people, and why organizations such as AAUW should or should not work to change their practices. Gender bias and inequality affects both males and females. Students have been encouraged to go beyond pay inequality and glass ceilings. They have some insightful ideas and their speeches are sure to be thought-provoking.
Speech Trek is led this year by coordinator Jill Harry. She is being assisted by AAUW member coaches Margarita King, Kris Casto, Letha Goger, Cindy Harp, Pam Gingold, Kendra Atkins, Georgia Gallagher, and Dawn Johnson.
Teacher Bryan Starchman is the high school liaison, encouraging students, giving them tips on what makes a great speech, and helping AAUW with logistics at the high school.
Teacher Kim Monson has also stepped in to help. She has a plethora of knowledge and experience regarding speech contests from her years of leading high school decathlons that she is sharing with AAUW and the competing students.
Contest judges will be: District 1 Supervisor, Rosemarie Smallcombe; Mariposa Superior Court Judge, Mike Figalde; and Director of Human Services, Chevon Kothari. Retired District 3 Supervisor Janet Bibby is the backup judge.
The Speech Trek event is a way to empower Mariposa high school students with the universally useful tool of public speaking. Please come to Fiester Auditorium at the high school on Wednesday, February 24 at 6 PM and show your support for these brave students.
AAUW is a national organization dedicated to lifelong learning and advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. To learn more, visit: aauwmariposa.com.
