Optimist Club invites public to listen to speech contest
The Pomona Breakfast Optimist Club is inviting the public to
attend the organization's annual youth speech contest.
The event will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the board room of the Pomona Unified School District's Education
Center, 800 S. Garey Ave.
Young people will deliver speeches that are inspired by the following
topic: "If I were leader of the free world, the first issue I would
address would be ..."
Judging will be based on a criteria that includes poise, content of
speech, delivery, presentation and overall speech effectiveness,
according to a statement from the club.
Awards will be presented to the top three speakers in the boys and
girls divisions.
Local winners will have a chance to advance to the Optimist zone
competition and possibly go on to compete at the district level where
prizes include college scholarships.
"Young students today have many fresh ideas and opinions about the
world and the world's future," said Vernon Price, the local club's
contest chairman. "As Optimists, it is our goal to encourage students
and do what we can to bring out the best in each of them."
For more information on Optimist International, visit
www.optimist.org or call 909-392-8666.
Last night I attended this function. I have never been so disgusted in my life. I truly believe that that all of these clubs in Pomona are doing an amazing job of giving back to the community through our schools to our children. After last night I'm not so sure it's that beneficial. Yes in this day and age the money does help a great deal, attending any college can be very costly but can a scholarship repair the damage that was done last night after a 16 year old put himself out there and was publicly humiliated? I understand we are human and yes everyone makes mistakes but this was beyond a mistake.
Maybe if I gave you a little background you might understand my fustration.
One of the young men who read his speech last night was formally known in most eyes as a "lost cause" for lack of better words. His report cards were F's straight down...if he made it to school for 35 days in a school year that was good for him. He was going no where. Well something changed...this year this student now has straight A's down the line.His attendance...let's just say I can count on 1 hand the days he's been absent and I'de still have fingers left over. :)
After being given the opportunity to write this speech..the changes began... you could see the glow of pride in him. This glow continued through the months as he worked on his speech day and night. He put everything he had into it. Please don't misunderstand me...the people that won 1st 2nd & 3rd place night absolutely deserved it. I'm not disputing that. But the fiasco that occured as they were naming the winners was appalling!! This child was announced as the 1st place winner metal was put over his head and seconds before it rested upon his chest it was taking back over his head and was told by the m.c. oops I made a mistake you can't be the winner. DEVASTATING and disgusting could you imagine how this child felt? Not even an apology. This is not my child nor a family member, so no I'm not a "overprotective parent" but I am human and I do have compassion. Needless to say I am a single mother of six who is usually the first to encourage my children to get involved in anything and everything that can assist you in getting into college. After last night I'm not so sure I will be doing that any longer...I watched a 16 lose a years worth of hard work determination and confidence go out the window by the lack of compassion and concern, from this adult, after making this large "mistake."
Often I hear about "the children of today" well guess what ...those children live what they learn. How can we expect any thing else of them when they are just following the adults around them.
I guess what I'm asking is that everyone take a step back and realize these children are our future...a little bit of consideration and compassion goes a long way. Also, everyone makes mistakes...is an apology to much to ask for??
A concerned parent
So where do the comments go that are posted here?
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