Optimists name speech contest winners

The Pomona Breakfast Optimist Club recently announced the names of the six winners of its annual speech contest.

In the girls division first place went to Veronica Marquez of Palomares Health Science Academy; Second place went to Adriana Cano of the School of Arts and Enterprise; and third place went to Sarah Rodriguez of the School of Arts and Enterprise.

In the boys division first place went to Julian Marenco of the School of Arts and Enterprise; second place went to Mickey Fulton of the School of Arts and Enterprise and third place to Oscar Cuevas of Pomona High School.

The teens delivered speeches they prepared using the topic "If I were leader of the Free World, the first issue I would address would be ..."

Through their speeches the competitors addressed issues such as cultural acceptance, energy, poverty and the environment, according to a statement from the club.

The winners will go on to participate in the organization's zone contest. The contest will begin at 7 p.m. April 12 in the board room of the Pomona Unified School District Education Center, 800 S. Garey Ave.

The winners of that round of competition will advance to the district contest scheduled to take place May 14 in Whittier.

Contest participants will compete for academic scholarships and the opportunity to compete at the organization's international competition.