Mariposa High School student, Claire Gorham, earned Third Place and $500 in the 2016 AAUW “Speech Trek” contest hosted by the State AAUW (American Association of University Women) at San Mateo on Saturday, April 16. Gorham, a junior at Mariposa County High School, was competing against thirteen students from AAUW branches all over the state, and was one of three finalists to perform her speech live to an enthusiastic audience at the state AAUW Conference. Her speech on Gender Bias and Inequality can be viewed on YouTube. (see below)
Gorham, who was also playing the role of the wicked stepmother in the high school production of Cinderella the weekend of the final speech contest, drove to San Mateo with her parents on Saturday morning and made it back in time for the Saturday evening performance of the play – that is impressive dedication!
Claire seen with her parents, Rachel and Tolleman S. Gorham III, at the conclusion of the contest.
Gorham is 16 years old and the president of her local 4-H club, 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 hopes to attend college at California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, Fresno State University, or UC Davis. She wants to become a veterinarian.
This is the tenth year of the state AAUW Speech Trek contest.
Next year’s theme was announced at the conclusion of the state AAUW contest: “Is it time to pass the Equal Rights Amendment?”
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.
