Area Students Compete in the Modern Woodmen School Speech Contest

Day 1 Contestants L/R – Front: Avery Cooper, Roger Watkins, Autumn Lietch, Emma Mulligan, Blayne Watson
Back: Carley Murphy, Eli Cobble, Michael Bloomenberg, Cailtlyn Strange, Cody Griffin
Staff Photo by Angie Stanley

On Tuesday and Wednesday area students competed in a county/district speech contest sponsored by Modern Woodmen of America at the Jefferson County Rescue Squad Building. The two day event hosted students from all over the county that had already won first, second, or third place in their local-level contests. This year’s topic, hunger in America, had 10 contestants on the first day, and 12 contestants on the second day.

Day 1 Winners L/R: Cody Griffin, Caitlyn Strange, Michael Bloomenberg

The first place winner for day 1 was Caitlyn Strange, an eighth grader from Maury Middle, who received a $50 cash reward and a trophy. Maury Middle will also receive an engraved trophy. The second place winner was Cody Griffin, an eighth grader from White Pine; third place’s winner was Michael Bloomenburg, an eighth grader from Maury Middle.

Day 2 Contestants L/R – Front: Katlyn Fielden, Shelby Scrader, Ashley Martin, Riley Abart, Mercy Crowe, Spencer Coffey
Back: Gracie Moore, Abby Earley, Elizabeth Watson, Alexa Gramann, William Stansberry, Gage Farrar.
Staff Photo by Angie Stanley

The first place winner for day 2 was Katlyn Fielden, a fifth grader from Rush Strong Elementary.  Katlyn also received a $50 cash reward and a trophy. Rush Strong Elementary will receive an engraved trophy. The second place winner was Riley Abart, a fifth grader from Mt Horeb Elementary.  The third place winner was Abby Earley, a seventh grader from Jefferson Middle School.

Day 2 Winners L/R: Katlyn Fielden, Abby Earley, Riley Abart

The first, second, and third place winners will continue on to the regional contest  held at Walters State on April 11.

Modern Woodmen’s School Speech Contest is one of many free Youth Educational Programs Modern Woodmen offers to schools nationwide. More than 100,000 students compete in the contest nationally each year.