AAUW Speech Trek contestants: Izamary Marquez, first place winner Claire Gorham, third place winner Samantha Telles-Trujillo, second place winner Hannah Swiecki, and Judith Phillips. All contestants did an amazing job presenting on the topic of Gender Inequality and Bias!

Mariposa County High School student, Claire Gorham, earned First Place and $150 in the 2016 “Speech Trek” contest hosted by AAUW (American Association of University Women) on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at the MCHS Fiester Auditorium. Gorham received top scores for her polished and well-researched 5-minute speech on the thought-provoking topic, “Gender Bias and Inequality.”  Gorham will advance to the state semi-finals for consideration as a finalist at the state-wide competition in San Mateo, CA in April.
Speech Trek Coordinator Jill Harry holding a program surrounded by AAUW co-presidents Dawn Johnson and Sandi Gabe and fellow AAUW member Jill Rowney.

The Second Place winner, Hannah Swiecki, took home $100 and the Third Place award of $50 was handed to Samantha Telles-Trujillo. The three top scorers were among five impressive contestants who participated in this annual event, which was organized by Speech Trek Coordinator Jill Harry of Mariposa branch of AAUW with the support of Bryan Starchman, MCHS’s English/Drama teacher.
The contest was judged by an exceptional panel of community members: Michael A. Fagalde, Mariposa County Superior Court Judge; Chevon Kothari, Mariposa County Director of Human Services; and Rosemarie Smallcombe, Mariposa County District 1 Supervisor. Several volunteer AAUW members and high school teacher Kim Monson also gave their time and talent to coach the contestants during their preparations.
At the conclusion of speeches, Jill Harry brought up each contestant to introduce themselves and to give them flowers, as they are all winners and deserving of recognition.

The annual speech contest is just one of several school and community programs offered by Mariposa AAUW, a branch of the 133-year-old national organization dedicated to advancing equity and lifelong learning.

For more information, visit: aauwmariposa.com.
In addition to having contestants introduce themselves, Jill also asked them a question. Claire Gorham is launching into an amusing  story about her favorite vacation ever.