published: Friday, January 25, 2013

Soil & Water Conservation District prepares for speech contest

Special to the News-Sun

SEBRING - The Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District Speech Contest will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 in the auditorium of the Bert J. Harris Jr. Agricultural Center, 4509 George Blvd.

The contest is open to any student enrolled in grades six through 12 in Highlands County. This includes public, private, home or virtual school students. The statewide topic this year is: "Where does your water shed?"

This contest is designed to develop leadership through participation in public speaking activities and stimulate interest in conserving our natural resources, especially as it relates to agriculture.

Speeches are limited to between six and eight minutes in length. Local judges will score contestants on content, composition and delivery. Contestants may use notes while speaking, but visual aids may not be used.

Contestants will compete for cash prizes of $150 for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place. The first place winner of this district contest may advance to the Area 4 speech contest and the winner of the Area 4 contest will advance to the state competition.

The program is open to all interested students. To register, call the district office at 402-7020, print off an entry form from the website at www.highlandsswcd.org or pick up an entry form in your school's office. Deadline for entering the contest is 5 p.m. on April 11.