Congratulations to Mariposa AAUW Speech Trek first place winner Claire Gorham. Her speech on Gender Bias and Inequality, which can be viewed below, was entered into the state semi-finals contest. It was judged against 13 other first place branch winners.

The five judges included the Mayor of Burlingame, the President & Vice President of the Burlingame Historical Museum, a member of the Planning Commission who competed in speech both in high school and college, and the president of Toastmasters.

The judges named Gorham one of three state finalists invited to an all expenses paid weekend in San Mateo the weekend of April 15 to compete at the AAUW state conference. Gorham will perform her speech on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 12 noon. She is competing for first, second, or third place in the state and a prize of $1,500, $1,000 or $500.

Gorham is 16 years old and a junior at Mariposa County High School. She lives in Bootjack with her parents and brother, as well as 5 cats, 2 dogs, and 12 chickens. She is the president of her local 4-H club, the secretary of MCHS's California Scholarship Federation chapter, and an active member of French club. This is Claire's second year competing in the AAUW speech contest. She is very honored to have reached the state level. She hopes to attend college at California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, Fresno State University, or UC Davis. She would like to become a veterinarian.

Best of luck to Claire Gorham!

Article submitted by: AAUW
Cindy Harp, Publicity Chair