Student Speakers Contest Winners!
On Saturday, January 3, 2009, two students from Plano participated in a Speakers Contest sponsored by local Lions clubs. Ali Mavrakis, Plano West HS and Samuel Scott, Plano Senior HS, participated in the Lions District Quarter-Finals to the Semi-Finals Rounds. This was the first time in several years that Plano Early Lions Club (PELC) sponsored students in this annual event. This year’s topic was “Drug Abuse – Paradise Lost”. On Saturday, January 10, 2009 Ali and Samuel will participate in the District Final Round Competition. First prize is a $1000 scholarship. Next step after the District Final Competition will be the State Student Speakers Contest and a chance to win additional scholarships.
DeAnne Rogers, the Project Chair for PELC’s Speaker Contest, had high praise for both students. She could see that the time and effort both Ali and Samuel put into their presentations was very evident during the competition. DeAnne has invited all PELC members to come to the Finals Competition next week to cheer on their entries.
Sam Scott, District Speaker's Contest Semifinalist
(Left) Samuel Scott’s speech coach is Cheryl Potts. Scott would like to attend The University of Texas. He is a member of the National Honor Society, runs cross country for Plano Senior HS and is a Plano Teen Court Attorney.
Ali Mavakis, District Speaker's Contest Semifinalist
(Right) Ali Mavrakis would also like to attend The University of Texas upon graduation. He was a Speech and Debate Quarter Finalists in Foreign Speaking at State. In addition to speech and debate activity, Ali is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Congress and Model UN Junior Vice President. While at Jasper HS he was President of STAND (Students Taking Action Not Drugs). Nancy Lewis is Ali’s speech coach.